Redhills: Durham's Miners' Hall reopens as a home for coalfield communities

A short walk from Durham railway station stands a building that miners' families have long called their own. Redhills, the Durham Miners' Association's New Hall and Offices, opened in 1915, and after a £14 million restoration it fully reopened in January 2026, ready for a new century of gatherings.

Designed by H. T. Gradon in the Edwardian Baroque style, the Grade II listed hall replaced the former Miners' Hall on North Road. Historic England has described it as an "irreplaceable" place, and it is regarded as one of Europe's finest examples of trade union architecture. At its heart is the Pitman's Parliament, a debating chamber made with Austrian oak in the style of a Methodist chapel, where generations of miners debated and passed resolutions on everything from pay and working conditions to wider social issues.

The building's revival has been a community effort. In 2020 the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded a grant for its restoration, and in 2021 the Durham Miners' Association transferred ownership to the Redhills charity, which serves as steward of the hall on behalf of the Durham Coalfield communities. Funding came from many sources, including trades unions, charitable trusts and the North East Area Miners' Social Welfare Trust Fund. The charity's motto sums up its mission: "The past we inherit, the future we build."

That future is already taking shape. The hall is designed to be a hub where community groups can meet, brass bands and choirs can perform, and the 60 banner groups who parade their colours at the Durham Miners' Gala each year can have a shared home. The Redhills Youth Brass project gives young brass and percussion players across County Durham the chance to perform together and learn from professional conductors.

In early October the Pitman's Parliament was the setting for the Redhills Assembly, an event open to all that invited people from across the coalfield and community organisations from further afield to explore how local communities might build their "common wealth" and gain a greater say over their futures.

Redhills is not a traditional museum with daily opening hours. It comes to life through events, guided tours and group visits, and it can be hired for meetings, conferences and weddings. Details of tours, events and volunteering are on the Redhills Durham website.