Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2024 FAQs

Bishop Auckland Food Festival takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April 2024.There’ll be a host of tasty treats from around 140 traders and producers, mouth-watering demonstrations from famous faces in the cookery world and fun for all the family all weekend with a fantastic programme of family entertainment, outdoor theatre, and live music.

Who makes Bishop Auckland Food Festival happen?

Bishop Auckland Food Festival is commissioned and operated by Durham County Council, their Events team manage the festival and is supported by Channell Events for programming, trader management, marketing and PR support. It is supported by Visit County Durham, Northumbrian Water and with media partners BBC Radio Tees and the Northern Echo.

Will I need a ticket for Bishop Auckland Food Festival?

You don’t need a ticket to visit the main festival and stalls, but some events are ticketed. Tickets can be purchased through this website when they go on sale and can be bought online up to one hour before the relevant event.

Travelling to Bishop Auckland Food Festival

What’s the best way to get to the festival?

We strongly advise that you use public transport or the park and ride which will operate from Bishop Auckland College, so you don’t have to worry about where to park your car and are less likely to get stuck in any traffic jams.

See the Visiting page for more information on getting to Bishop Auckland: https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/visiting/

Park and Ride Service

An accessible park and ride service will be in operation for visitors between Bishop Auckland College (DL14 6JZ) and the town centre.

Buses will run from 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday, the last return bus will run at 5.30pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

Park and Ride Costs

Return tickets cost £2.50 for adults, 50 pence for children aged five to 15 years old and are free for those under five.

Bishop Auckland Town Centre Car Parks

Town centre car parks will be open but may be busy and drivers should be aware of diversions due to road closures for the event.

Public Transport

Other regular bus and rail services will also be operating over the weekend.

I have mobility issues. Is special parking provided?

All the park and ride buses have accessible facilities.

I want to take a large coach party to the festival; how do I do this?

There are drop off points at all regular bus stops, but please do take into account that road closures are in place in the market place.

Planning Your Visit

I have mobility issues, where can I find out information about how to get around?

Bishop Auckland is a generally an accessible town and all food traders are at ground level in the market place.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall is fully accessible for disabled customers. There are lifts to all floors and there is an accessible toilet on the first floor, which is open to the public during the festival from 10.00am to 2.00pm during the festival.

Sunday afternoon is usually a quieter time to visit the festival.

Where can I find public toilets?

There will be toilets around the festival for public use.

Are dogs allowed?

Dogs are welcome at the festival but please be aware that a large number of people attend the festival. We would recommend that dogs are kept are on a lead. Please clean up after your dog.

What music will there be at the festival?

See running order for the event below.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In most cases, the festival will take place whatever the weather. Check the website and social media for up-to-date information.

What’s on at Bishop Auckland Food Festival

The Festival Map can be accessed here:
https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/festival-map/

Details of Food Traders can be accessed here: https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/exhibitors/

Details of Chefs can be accessed here (See event timetable for times): https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/celebrity-chef-line-up/

Details of Have a Go Workshops with Bishop Auckland College can be accessed here: https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/bishop-auckland-college-presenting-have-a-go-sessions/

Details of an evening with Mike Bartley can be accessed here : https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/an-evening-with-mike-bartley/

Business & City Resident Info

Where can I find out information about road closures for the festival (Business and Residents)?

There will be a number of road closures in and around the town leading up to and during the festival. We would advise to make sure you leave plenty of travelling time if you’re travelling to the festival. Road closures will be in place from 19th April 5:00am – 21st April 21:00pm.

Businesses and residents who are affected by the road closures should receive information letters with further details. If you haven’t received a letter, and think you are affected, please contact baff@durham.gov.uk

Road Closure Map

Miscellaneous

Where can I get help booking accommodation during the festival?

Durham’s Visitor Contact Centre can put you in touch with hotel and other accommodation providers in the county. They do fill up very quickly around the festival, so we recommend booking accommodation as early as possible.

Call the Visitor Contact Centre or Contact them on 03000 26 26 26 or email visitor@thisisdurham.com.

Will there be official photography and filming taking place?

Yes, there will be official photography and filming taking place throughout the festival footprint.

Crowd management / emergencies

Public and crowd safety (if a member of public asks):

Public safety is at the heart of preparing for Bishop Auckland Food Festival and we have worked extremely closely with the county council, the police, fire and rescue service, ambulance service and the Safety Advisory Group for many months to put a robust plan in place.

Bishop Auckland Food Festival Layout