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Durham Jazz Festival
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About Venue

The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre

Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms

Venue Details

Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms is one of Durham’s most elegant and historic performance venues. Located on the edge of the city centre, the Assembly Rooms date back to the 18th century and have long been associated with music, theatre and public gatherings.

The venue offers a beautifully proportioned auditorium with excellent acoustics and a close connection between performers and audience. Its intimate scale makes it particularly well suited to small ensemble concerts, solo performances and spoken word events.

As part of Durham Jazz Festival, Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms provides a refined and atmospheric setting within the festival programme, complementing the larger headline venues with a more traditional concert hall experience rooted in Durham’s cultural heritage.

Address

  • Address: 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET
  • Phone: 0191 334 1419

Direction

Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms is located at 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET, in the historic cathedral quarter of Durham City, just a short walk from the Market Place and overlooking the River Wear.

By Car (From the A1): Exit the A1 at Junction 62 and follow the A690 towards Durham City Centre. Continue over Milburngate Bridge and follow signs for the city centre. North Bailey is within Durham’s historic peninsula where vehicle access is restricted. We recommend parking at Prince Bishops Car Park or Walkergate Car Park and walking to the venue, which is approximately 5 to 10 minutes away.

By Car (From the A167): Follow the A167 to Nevilles Cross and turn onto the A690 towards Durham City Centre. Continue towards the centre and use one of the nearby public car parks. From the Market Place, walk towards the Cathedral and along North Bailey to reach number 40.

By Bus: Durham Bus Station on North Road is approximately 8 to 10 minutes’ walk from the Assembly Rooms. Walk towards the Market Place, continue past Durham Cathedral, and follow North Bailey along the river to the venue.

By Train: Durham Station is around 12 to 15 minutes’ walk from Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms. Leave the station and walk down North Road into the city centre. Continue through the Market Place, head towards the Cathedral, and follow North Bailey along the river to reach number 40.

Accessibility

Accessible with a lift from street level to the Box Office and up to our Bar, accessible bathroom and Auditorium Balcony. This balcony has room for two wheelchairs and seats for carers, which are free with the purchase of a wheelchair ticket. Limited parking for Blue Badge holders is available on Palace Green directly in front of ⁠Durham Cathedral, though spaces must be requested in advance by calling Durham University at 0191 334 2222. (Advance exemption from the council is also required as this is in the congestion zone)

Up Coming Events

Events Taking Place At The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre

24
Oct 2026
Seb Rochford's Finding Ways

Seb Rochford’s Finding Ways

Seb Rochford is one of the most inventive figures in contemporary British jazz, bringing his powerful new project Finding Ways to Durham Jazz Festival with a bold blend of experimental grooves and raw improvisation.

Book Now
24
Oct 2026
PRT Band

The Pete Roth Trio ft. Bill Bruford

The Pete Roth Trio brings together guitarist Pete Roth, bassist Mike Pratt and legendary drummer Bill Bruford for an adventurous and deeply interactive blend of jazz, improvisation and contemporary influences.

Book Now

Other Bands

Good music, good people, and good times

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View All Bands

Ian Patterson’s OUTRI

Knats

Fabio’s Bar

Dean Stockdale Quartet: Celebrating Oscar Peterson

The Durham University Music School

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10% Off

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