Bishop Auckland Attractions
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.
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
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.
All values are in local currency
Hours
March 26 to July 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
August 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | Closed | 14:00 | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
| Adult | 4.00 |
| Child 16 & under | 3.00 |
| Senior over 60 | 3.00 |
| Child 12 & under | FREE |
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities
Gift shop
Auckland Castle Deer House
Auckland Castle Deer House is a deer shelter erected in 1760 so deer could shelter and find food.
Hours
April 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
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)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Binchester - Piercebridge Roman Fort
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.
Binchester Roman Fort
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.
Hours
May 1 to October 4
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened on:
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Escomb Church
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.
Hours
June 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
November 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Guided tours available by arrangement with The Tourist Secretary.
Key available at 22 Saxon Green, in Escomb.
Stanhope, England
(Near Bishop Auckland)
Witton-le-Wear - Low Barns Nature Reserve
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.
Hours
January 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
