Windows to the World Festival
Celebrate the colourful history of Barnard Castle and its oldest church with a lively programme of art, music, history, workshops, performances, and guided tours at Windows to the World Festival this July. It’s for curious minds of all ages!
All events are being held at St Mary’s Parish Church, Newgate, Barnard Castle.
Art
Journeys – Teithiau: Stained Glass Exhibition
Journeys – Teithiau is a travelling exhibition of work by six contemporary stained glass artists: Jonathan Cooke, Catrin Davies, Nicola Kantorowicz, Elizabeth Lamont, Rachel Phillips and Christian Ryan. Currently at the national stained glass museum in Ely Cathedral, the exhibition comes to St Mary’s church, where you can meet some of the artists and talk with them about their work.
12-23 July, 10am-5pm BST (Open daily except during church services)
To attend: Walk-ins only / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
Music
Explore the sound of history through a series of special concerts that will transport you back in time.
Psalms for the Soul
Enjoy polyphonic motets from Renaissance Europe performed by a capella lower voice quartet, Scaramella.
17 July, 19:00 BST
To attend: Book tickets / Price: £6-12 / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
It fell on a summer’s day
Relax with the gentle sounds of music for voice and lute by Dowland, Campion and Rosseter, with Tristram Cooke.
20 July, 19:00 BST
To attend: Book tickets / Price: £5-10 / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
The House of Life
A lively evening concert celebrating journeys, home, and the natural world.
23 July, 19:00 BST
To attend: Book tickets / Price: £5-10 / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
History Talks & Guided Tours
Learn more about the history of Barnard Castle, and explore the fabulous architecture within St Mary’s Church
Women of the Durham Coalfield
During the 19th century, the expansion of the mining industry transformed not only the landscape of County Durham but also its population. Learn about the everyday lives of the coal miner’s wives, and about their astonishing spirit and determination.
14 July, 18:00 BST
To attend: Book tickets / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
Guided History Tour
Travel back in time and learn about the history of St Mary’s Parish Church and Barnard Castle. Discover blocked up doorways and follow the story of one of England’s most famous kings.
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
Bell-ringing and Tower Tour
Or join us on a short trip up the tower and witness the ringing of the bells.
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
Family-friendly events
History isn’t just for adults! Children and families can learn more with our programme of free, hands-on workshops.
Make Your Own Stained Glass Window Design
Take a closer look at St Mary’s beautifully colourful windows and the stories they tell, and create your own stained glass window design to take home.
To attend: Walk-ins only / Price: FREE / COVID-19: This event is outdoors
Gruesome Graveyard Tour
Explore the hidden bits and secret sections of the St Mary’s Parish Church, and learn a little more about the grisly history of Barnard Castle. From medieval kings to the industrial revolution, we’re going on a journey through time…
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19: This event is outdoors
DNA Corner
Learn about DNA and what it can tell us about Richard III, and try your hand at a real DNA experiment!
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19:Masks required indoors
History Cold Case
Can you identify the cause of death on this skeleton? Learn about diseases and how people used to heal them
To attend: Walk-in / Price: FREE / COVID-19: This event is outdoors
Creative events for adults
Whether you’re already a creative soul or you just fancy dipping your toes into the fascinating world of arts, join us for one of our special poetry, creative writing, and dance workshops.
Found Words Poetry Workshop
Excavate words from the hidden corners of St Mary’s church. Bringing these found words together, we’ll share writing prompts and short exercises to tell new stories about this very old place.
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
Fiction from Fact Creative Writing Workshop
What happens when we deliberately blur the boundaries between fiction and fact? In this creative writing workshop, we will explore how to use historical facts as a starting point for speculative writing and you’ll come away armed with some useful tips for blending fiction and facts.
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
Fertile Ground Dance Workshop
Join dancers from Dance Company Fertile Ground for a two hour movement workshop.
To attend: Book tickets, some walk-ins available / Price: FREE / COVID-19: Masks required indoors
View all festival events >
Download the full programme* >
* Change of programme:
The guided tour scheduled to take place on Sunday 18th July at 12:30pm will now be taking place at 1:30pm.
The Fertile Ground Dance Workshop scheduled to take place on Monday 12th July has been postponed.
A funeral will take place on Thursday 15th from 12am-1pm, during which the church will be closed to visitors.
How to Attend
All events are being hosted at St Mary’s Parish Church in Barnard Castle. You may need to book tickets, or be able to walk-in, depending on the event.