Durham Castle Fellows Garden

The Garden has a rich history of names: originally the Bishops’ Garden, it was also known as the Fellows’ Garden. When University College occupied the Castle in 1837, the space became a private retreat known to some as the Don’s Garden or Fellows’ Garden.

For nearly a century, it remained an exclusive preserve for the Fellows and the SCR. A shift occurred in the 1950s as it cautiously opened for student events. The 2000s marked a significant transition, transforming the Garden into a vibrant hub for the entire university community, regularly hosting performances, concerts, and community days.

To suit this new purpose, the site has been redeveloped and given a complete overhaul, whilst retaining its sense of history. A new stepped terrace has been formed within the landscaped areas to create a multifunctional space which retains the overall feel and character of the garden. Both hard and soft landscaped areas are carefully integrated into the scheme. The garden formally reopened in October 2025 and will be used by staff, students and visitors alike.

A long-term project, TGA SL worked closely with the University, Architects Howarth Litchfield and Landscape Designers Colour, on the aesthetics and form of the luminaires and also the positional value.

TGA SL provided a decorative lighting design with accent wayfinding and accent lighting. The design is deliberately low key and to match the unique setting. The perimeter path is marked with carefully placed bollards finished in a unique rust brown.

TGA also provided LV infrastructure to facilitate future events, inground power and data units with provision for future audio-visual equipment and new sanitary provisions in the way of a WCs extension.