Bishop Auckland (pop. 32,572) has been the country residence of the Bishops of Durham since the 12th C. It is located at the confluence of the Wear and Gaunless Rivers, 23mi/37km south of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The town of Bishop Auckland has several notable landmarks - Auckland Castle, the Town Hall, Binchester Roman Fort and St Andrew's parish church.
Auckland Castle has been the principal residence of the Bishops of Durham since Norman times. The Chapel and the State Rooms, including the Bishop's Throne Room, are open to the public. Also, the Medieval kitchens house an exhibit on the life of St. Cuthbert and the history of the Durham Diocese.
Address: Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR, England
Hours:
March 26 to July 31: 2pm-5pm; Closed: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
August 1 to August 31: 2pm-5pm; Closed: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat
Always closed on: Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Tips: The surrounding parkland is open daily, 7:00am to sunset.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Auckland Castle Deer House is a deer shelter erected in 1760 so deer could shelter and find food.
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 10am-6pm
October 1 to March 31: 10am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
The remains of Piercebridge Roman Fort may be found on the Dere Street Trail in Binchester. The visible remains include the East Gates and defenses, courtyard building, part of an internal road and a section of a bridge which carried Dere Street over the Tees.
Address: Piercebridge Roman Fort, Binchester , England
Tips: Open at all times.
For wheelchair access park at the George Hotel, south of the river and follow the signposted footpath.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Binchester Roman Fort is located just 1.5 miles outside Bishop Auckland on the Dere Street Trail. Explore the remains of a commanding officer's house and see the best preserved Roman military bath house in Britain. This is the only Roman fort in the region that is wheelchair accessible.
Address: Binchester Roman Fort, Bishop Auckland , England
Hours:
May 1 to October 4: 11am-5pm
Always opened on: Easter - Christian, Good Friday - Christian, Easter Monday - Christian
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Escomb Church is a Saxon church dating back to the 7th century. It was built of stone from the Binchester Roman Fort and has since been restored. It now stands as one of the finest examples of early Christian architecture in Northern Europe.
Address: Escomb Church, Bishop Auckland DL14 7ST, England
Hours:
June 1 to October 31: 9am-8pm
November 1 to May 31: 9am-4pm
Tips: Guided tours available by arrangement with The Tourist Secretary.
Key available at 22 Saxon Green, in Escomb.
Stanhope is located on the A689 northwest of Bishop Auckland with a 12th-century Norman church. The town centre features craft shops, a cobbled market place and a mock medieval castle.
Address: Stanhope Tourist Office, Durham Dales Centre Ltd Castle Gardens, Stanhope DL13 2FJ, England
The Low Barns Nature Reserve has 50 acres of woods, lakes and ponds that are rich in wildlife. Roam the 1.5 miles of nature trails where you will find an observatory and hides, all of which are wheelchair accessible. Visit the Graham Easby Visitor Centre to view interpretive displays of the local flora and fauna.
Address: Low Barns Nature Reserve, Witton-le-Wear DL14 0AG, England
Hours:
January 1 to December 31: 10am-4pm
Tips: Please phone for Christmas and New Year holiday opening times.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
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Stanhope, England
