A new exhibition at Durham University's Museum of Archaeology will bring the stories of Britain's vanished and increasingly rare wildlife to Palace Green this summer.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Remembering Britain's Vanished Species Through Art and Science will run from 18 July to 21 September 2026 at the Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN. It will be open from 11am to 3pm and is described as public and family-friendly.
What visitors can see
The exhibition has been jointly created by artist Stephen Livingstone and the Museum of Archaeology. It combines original artwork with specimens from Durham University's Natural Science Collection, including objects that are rarely displayed.
Visitors will be able to see skeletons, skulls, taxidermy and paintings. Together, they explore the traces left by animals that once lived in Britain and encourage audiences to imagine their lives.
The species featured include the giant deer and Great Auk, as well as wolves and lynx. The exhibition uses these animals' stories to examine change, loss and survival, while asking why Britain's changing wildlife remains relevant today.
Free entry at Palace Green
A Great Auk specimen loaned by the Natural History Society of Northumbria will also be displayed. Durham University says the loan will help showcase one of Britain's most iconic extinct birds.
Entry is free and visitors do not need to book. The university's event listing says people can simply drop in and enjoy the exhibition during the opening hours. For enquiries, the listing gives the contact email [email protected].
