Located at the junction of the Wear and Gaunless rivers, Bishop Auckland is a historic market town in County Durham. It was once the official residence of the bishops of Durham and grew into an important coal mining community during the Industrial Revolution.
Things to do in Bishop Auckland
On the northern outskirts of town is Auckland Castle, which was originally established as a manor house in the 12th century. Admire its Gothic architecture from the 35-metre-high visitor’s centre tower, then wander through the palatial living quarters to learn about the lives of the bishops. Don’t miss the elaborately adorned St. Peter's Chapel or the 1760-built Deer House.
Sprawling on the opposite bank of the River Gaunless is the Bishop Auckland Golf Club, which offers magnificent views of Auckland Castle and the Wear Valley. It was established in the late 19th century on grazing land and is now one of the most popular golf courses in County Durham. After your round, you can relax with a drink or a meal in the clubhouse overlooking the 18th green.
Bishop Auckland makes an excellent base for visiting Locomotion, which is located near the Shildon railway works. Built in 1833, the works once served the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Locomotion celebrates the history of British railway engineering, with various “stops” along its one-kilometre-long demonstration line. Explore the home of pioneering engineer Timothy Hackworth and the sleeper-built goods shed, then see what’s taking place in the restoration workshop.
Getting around Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland is around 30 minutes’ drive from Middlesbrough and 45 minutes from Newcastle International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Trains connect to the Bishop Auckland railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Bishop Auckland can easily be explored on foot.