The Town
Barnard Castle has been recognised nationally as one of the 50 most historically and architecturally important towns in Great Britain and listed in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live in Britain. The Grade II listed Witham Hall is an important, central feature of the townscape, located where Horsemarket meets the Market Place.
The Hall
The Witham Testimonial was built by public subscription as a memorial to Henry T.M. Witham of Lartington, a palaeobotanist and philanthropist who had strived to make provision for the medical and educational needs of Barnard Castle before his death in 1844. Hence the building, which opened in 1846, housed the Mechanics’ Institute and a Dispensary for the Relief of the Sick Poor. By 1860, a large music hall had been built to the rear of the Testimonial Building, whilst the premises later incorporated several small cottages in Hall Street. Together these buildings became known as The Witham and have continued to be used by the people of Barnard Castle as a backdrop for celebration, for participation and for people to gain new experiences.
2013 marks the culmination of over 10 years work to raise money and carry out work to restore its historic fabric and make The Witham fit-for-purpose as a fully accessible modern arts venue for the 21st century. The redevelopment project has seen the original Grade II listed Witham buildings restored, and a new link building constructed between the Witham Testimonial and the Event Hall, incorporating a foyer area, café bar and toilets. In addition, Durham County Council has extended and refurbished its Library building to the rear of The Witham buildings, to include new council offices and a customer access point as well as the continued Library service.
Funding of the project principally came from Durham County Council investing over £2 million with match funding of £336,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £773,879 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ERDF funding is part of a wider programme which has brought more than £300 million to the North East. The Witham and Library development project was led by Barnard Castle Vision, Durham County Council and The Witham Directors.
Features
Hire Charges: Contact the hall directly Registered Charity Number: 1146726
Contact
01833 631107 Email: info@thewitham.org.uk
The Witham, 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle DL12 8LY Registered Charity Number: 1146726
Facilities
WC
On Street Parking
Ramp (down)
Ramp (up)
Wheelchair Access to Side (by prior arr.)
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Thu26May20227:00 pmThe Witham Hall
Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian adventure aboard a glamorous river steamer descends into a terrifying search for a murderer when an idyllic honeymoon is shattered by violent deaths.
Based on the novel by Agatha Christie. Directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh. Distributed by Disney (2022).
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright.Shown with subtitles.
Running time 127 minutes.
Tickets £5 or 2 for £8. Booking link FILM: Death on the Nile (12A) - The Witham -
Fri27May20227:30 pmThe Witham Hall
With the release of their second album ‘Cairn’, Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie’s trio has underlined their status as one of the most exciting young groups in European jazz.
The trio’s music is dynamic and beautifully crafted, reflecting the Scottish landscape and musical traditions while honouring the American and European jazz legacies, and its huge emotional pull has brought audiences to their feet across Northern Europe and resulted in an appearance at Ronnie Scott’s International Piano Trio Festival.Tickets £15 (under 16s £10). Booking link Fergus McCreadie Jazz Trio - The Witham
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Wed01Jun20222:00 pmThe Witham Hall
Featuring the voices of Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis from CBeebies as Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow (PLEASE NOTE: JUSTIN AND NICOLE DO NOT APPEAR IN PERSON). Come dressed in your best party clothes and help make Pongo’s Party a day to remember, by joining in a show full of fun, songs and laughter – play in a huge children’s band and take part in the town’s biggest ever game of pass the parcel!
With a colourful farmyard and host of loveable puppet characters, Pongo’s Party is a family show particularly suitable for 2 – 7 year olds.
Songs include: The Wheels On The Bus, Pat-A-Cake, I Am The Music Man, Old MacDonald Had A Farm, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and many more!
Running Time: 90 minutes (including interval). Adults £10 | Children £8 booking link Pongo’s Party! - The Witham
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Wed08Jun20227:30 pmThe Witham Hall
A Way Home: The fight for a place to belong
A play by Christina Castling. A Carole Wears Production.It’s 1951 and a third of County Durham’s villages have been classified as ‘D’. No longer deemed worthy of investment, they’re expected to die quietly. But they refuse to go without a fight.
A Way Home is a new play rooted in the stories and memories of the people who called those D villages home. A County-wide fight lasting over 25 years becomes a 12-month journey at Bet’s kitchen table as she and her family grapple with what identity, loss and belonging really look like.
Tickets £12 (under 16s £10) booking link A Way Home - The Witham
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Thu09Jun20227:30 pmThe Witham Hall
Promoted by Funny Way to be Comedy
“The classical concert you’ve always wanted to see”
A unique mix of classic comedy and classical music. Following the surprise success of his Sony album, which reached No 1 in the UK Classical Album charts, comes Alistair McGowan’s new show, combining his talents as master impressionist and comedian with his new-found talent as a classical pianist!
Tickets £22 booking link Funny Way To Be Comedy – Alistair McGowan: The Piano Show (12+ Family Friendly) - The Witham
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Wed22Jun20225:00 pmThe Witham Hall
A playful, fresh and engaging new show aimed at children aged 4+ and their families. Meet a hedgehog waking up from hibernation to find the world is not as it once was. Come along on the adventure and see the world through tiny eyes! Playful, fresh and engaging, HEDGE combines the magic of dance with beautiful costumes, innovative props and puppetry to create a fun-filled performance space for little ones to enjoy.
“Breathtaking…I really wish all children could be introduced to dance in this way.” Audience member.
Adult £6 | Child £5 Booking link: HEDGE - The Witham
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Thu23Jun20222:00 pmThe Witham Hall
‘The Duke’ is a moving true story that celebrates a man who was determined to live a meaningful life. Set in 1961, it follows the story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington.
Starring Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Fionn Whitehead
Running time 95 minutes. Matinee 2pm showing with subtitles. Additional evening showing 7pm. Tickets £5. Booking link: FILM: The Duke (12A) - The Witham
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Sat25Jun20227:00 pmThe Witham Hall
We are looking forward to our first Witham fundraising concert which also takes part for us during our 2nd Community Music Festival.
The Orchestra is a true community of instruments and players of all ages and abilities who meet regularly on most Saturday mornings in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Barnard Castle to rehearse music from the shows, light classics, pop, standards and novelty numbers. Many of our players are local but not all have that luxury! Often teaming up with our Community Choir for fun, family concerts, tonight our guests are the school choir from Green Lane while Cream Tees will entertain you in the foyer pre-show.Tickets £8 | Under 16s £5. Booking link: Community Orchestra: Summer Sizzler Concert - The Witham
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Fri30Sep20227:30 pmThe Witham Hall
Elysium Theatre Company present: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House translated by Michael Meyer with Alice Frankham as Nora and Danny Solomon as Torvald.
Nora is a happily married woman with a loving husband and three beautiful children. Everything seems perfect in her happy home. But when a man from her past appears demanding what he owes her, her ideal life unravels and, as she realises the truth of her marriage, she is forced to make the ultimate choice.
Don't miss this thrilling play!
Tickets £14 | Under 16s £12. Booking link A Doll’s House - The Witham
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Thu16Mar20238:00 pmThe Witham Hall
Heidi has been nominated for Folk singer of the year and Best Traditional Song by BBC Radio 2, Best Live Act by the Scottish Traditional Music Awards and Best Female Vocalist at The Irish Music Awards.
Tickets £15 in advance (£17 on the door). Booking link Heidi Talbot - The Witham