Visiting Bishop Auckland
Food Festival. The 2025 Festival is now closed.
The Bishop Auckland Food Festival stretches across the stunning marketplace in front of the town hall in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
With a fantastic range of delicious street food traders and artisan food producers, bars with real ales, pop up cafés and attractions for all, the festival truly has something for everyone!
Park & Ride and Opening Times
The 2025 Festival is now closed.
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.
Return tickets cost £2.50 for adults, 50 pence for children aged five to 15 years old and are free for those under five.
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.
The 2025 Festival is now closed.
Visiting Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland in the Vale of Durham is a lively market town with a fascinating 2,000 year history. Standing high above a meander in the River Wear, the town has commanding views of the surrounding countryside.
The town is home to Auckland Castle which was the palace of Durham’s Prince Bishops for more than 900 years. Follow in their footsteps in the surrounding gardens and parkland, or head to the Mining Art Gallery to see the works of prominent artists, many of whom were local to the area, including Norman Cornish and Tom McGuinness.
These incredible attractions are part of The Auckland Project, and the exciting transformation of the town is ongoing. The Spanish Art Gallery recently joined The Auckland Project’s impressive collection of galleries, gardens, parkland and events, and the greatly anticipated Faith Museum is due to open in autumn 2023.
The historic town centre also has a thriving arts and cultural scene, and at Bishop Auckland Town Hall you will find a superb library, cinema, theatre and arts complex.
Somewhere to stay?
Park Head Hotel offers guests a quality stay, on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland. Park Head offers 38 en-suite hotel rooms with everything you need to enjoy your stay, including a range of options, from single rooms to two-bedroom suites.
Parking is complimentary for all Hotel guests and visitors, and we offer designated disabled parking spaces as well as accessible Hotel rooms.
Park Head Hotel will give a guest 10% off our Bed & Breakfast rate and is only available for stays from the 11th April to 15th April – Quote BAFF10
Further Afield…
Bishop Auckland Food Festival takes place in the Vale of Durham, but venture further afield and discover Durham City, the Durham Dales and Durham Coast.
Experience the world-famous Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site as you soak up the atmosphere of historic Durham City. Delve further into the county’s fascinating past at amazing attractions including Beamish Museum where you will take a step back in time, and Locomotion where you will discover highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s first railway town. And at Killhope get hands on with history as you experience life as a 19th century lead miner.
Culture vultures will love exploring buildings as breath-taking as the exhibits within. Head to The Bowes Museum to discover incredible collections in a series of stunning galleries. And at nearby Raby, explore one of England’s finest medieval castles surrounded by glorious gardens.
Lovers of the great outdoors won’t be disappointed by the dramatic Durham Coast and breath-taking Durham Dales – part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to the mighty High Force waterfall. If you prefer exploring on two wheels head to Hamsterley Forest which is a magnet for mountain bikers, or spot wildlife from the water’s edge at Derwent Waterside Park.
Latest festival news
Travel arrangements announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
Heading to Bishop Auckland Food Festival this weekend? Organisers have announced travel arrangements for getting to the event. Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns to the town
Over 140 traders to appear at Bishop Auckland Food Festival: See what food is on offer
From halloumi wraps, wood fired pizza and fried chicken, to gyozas, loaded fries and sweet treats, there will be a feast of goodies for visitors to
Family fun on offer at Bishop Auckland Food Festival
From melodic music, street bands, to grannies on wheels, the streets of Bishop Auckland are set to come alive with entertainment during one of the region’s
More chefs announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
The full line up of celebrity chefs for Bishop Auckland Food Festival has now been confirmed, as organisers announce who will be appearing on Sunday. County
Book your stay
For information on places to visit, eat and shop, plus accommodation and special offers, visit the county’s official tourism website – thisisdurham.com
The Durham Visitor Contact Centre is also on hand to help:
Call: 03000 26 26 26
Email: visitor@thisisdurham.com
Text: ‘Visit’ and your enquiry to 80011
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, closed weekends and Bank Holidays.
Calls – cost of a local call, calls from mobiles may vary.
Texts – standard network charges apply.
