Visitors to Durham Cathedral can explore its stained-glass windows in a new way this summer, with the launch of the cathedral’s first-ever augmented reality experience.
Colour and Light: Stained Glass Exhibition opened on Wednesday 22 July and runs until mid-September. The programme marks the 150th anniversary of the Cathedral’s Rose Window and brings together an illuminated exhibition, guided tours, creative workshops and free activities for families.
How the augmented reality experience works
Visitors can scan QR codes placed around Durham Cathedral to explore selected windows in greater detail. The augmented reality content provides interactive information about each window’s history and design, allowing people to investigate centuries of craftsmanship and heritage while inside the cathedral.
The experience forms part of a wider programme intended to help visitors understand the stories, artistry and faith represented in the cathedral’s stained glass collection. It is the first time Durham Cathedral has offered an augmented reality experience inside the building.
Andrew Usher, Chief Officer of Visitor Experience and Enterprise at Durham Cathedral, said: “This exhibition offers visitors a fresh opportunity to experience one of the Cathedral's most admired and looked at features - its stained glass windows. We are delighted to introduce the first ever augmented reality (AR) experience inside Durham Cathedral with the hope of bringing the history and stories to life in a new way. Whether people join a tour, take part in a creative workshop or explore the exhibition, we hope they will discover something new about these windows and the stories they tell.”
Exhibition, tours and workshops
The illuminated exhibition in the cathedral’s North Aisle focuses on selected stained-glass windows and the narratives they depict. Guided window tours are taking place throughout the summer, offering visitors the chance to learn more about some of Durham Cathedral’s most significant windows.
Local stained-glass artist Rita Griskonyte is leading workshops in which participants can make their own stained-glass and fused-glass artwork. Families can also take part in free activities designed to help younger visitors get creative and explore the meanings hidden within the cathedral’s windows.
Events listed by Durham Cathedral include stained-glass workshops on various dates from 10am, a fused-glass workshop on Saturday 29 August 2026 at 10am, summer family activities on various dates, and stained-glass tours at various times. Visitors can book places on the workshops and tours through the cathedral’s event listings.
A summer programme for all ages
Durham Cathedral said the exhibition reflects its continuing role as a living church and centre of pilgrimage, while offering new ways for people to engage with Christian stories through colour and light.
The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, said: “For centuries, stained glass has helped people reflect on the story of God's love in Jesus Christ through the medium of colour and light. In this summer exhibition, we are delighted to offer new and creative ways for people of all ages to engage with the Cathedral’s wonderful windows, both historic and contemporary, and find out more about the stories they tell. The augmented reality brings the windows to life in amazing ways – I really recommend it! And I hope all visitors will find enjoyment, inspiration, and moments for reflection as they explore this exhibition and the wider life of the Cathedral.”
The exhibition, augmented reality experience, tours, workshops and family activities are available as part of the programme running from 22 July until mid-September.
