Visiting Bishop Auckland
Food Festival
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 is a truly has something for everyone! We are now preparing for the 2023 festival – so watch this space for updates.

A GREAT DAY OUT IN BISHOP AUCKLAND
The food festival brings together traders and producers from across the region to sell their delicious treats. Soak up the atmosphere with live music and attractions and buy lots of goodies to take home too. Our 2022 festival has now taken place so we will be back next year with lots of exciting updates. You can sign up to our newsletter in the meantime to be the first to hear our news or follow us on social media.
Keep in the loop with us
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 with The Auckland Project set to unveil a Spanish Art Gallery and Faith Museum to join their impressive collection of galleries, gardens, parkland and events.
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.


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

Two weeks to go to Bishop Auckland Food Festival
Organisers of Bishop Auckland Food Festival are counting down the days until visitors are welcomed back to celebrate all things’ food. There are just two more

Traders announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
From deliciously-decorated donuts to flavourful street food, traders from County Durham and beyond are preparing to show off their specialities at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food

Final chef announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
With six weeks to go until Bishop Auckland Food Festival, organisers are excited to announce the final celebrity chef who will be adding to the weekend’s

Special events announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
Learn how to make focaccia and fruit crumble with a Bake Off star or enjoy a three-course dining experience from a celebrity chef as part of

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.
