Bishop Auckland in the Vale of County Durham is a lively market town with a fascinating 2,000 year heritage. 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.

Bishop Auckland is set for major developments over the next few years, with a new welcome building at Auckland Castle, a new Museum extension, an institute of Spanish art and culture, and the redevelopment of the 17th Century Walled Garden which will feature stunning new glasshouses providing ‘garden rooms’ restaurant and event spaces.

The historic town centre has a thriving arts and cultural scene, and at Bishop Auckland Town Hall you will find a superb library, cinema, theatre and arts complex, and in the summer of 2019, the town will burst into life as Eleven Arches presents ‘Kynren – an epic tale of England’ – the eagerly awaited third season of the spectacular open-air live-action show that wowed more than 100,000 visitors in 2018. Get more information on Kynren.

The Food Festival takes place in the Vale of Durham, but venture further afield and experience Durham City, the Durham Dales and Durham Coast.

Visit Durham City and take in the breathtaking Durham Cathedral and Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and don’t miss Open Treasure, the Cathedral’s new world-class exhibition experience. Delve further into the county’s past at amazing attractions including Beamish Museum and Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon in the Vale of Durham, and Killhope in the Durham Dales. And if you’re a culture vulture then seek out the fantastic fine and decorative art collections inside The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.

If you prefer the outdoors then you’ll find breathtaking views and walking and cycling routes galore amongst Durham’s stunning countryside and coastal areas. Explore the Durham Dales and North Pennines Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty – a picture-perfect landscape of moors, hills, valleys and rivers – and home to High Force – one of England’s most impressive waterfalls. Or pack your hiking boots and head to the Durham Coast for dramatic sea views along the coastal footpath.

For more information on accommodation and to plan your break in Durham click the link below.

For information on place to visit, eat and shop, plus accommodation and special offers, visit Thisisdurham, or contact the official Durham Visitor Contact Centre:

Call: 03000 26 26 26
Email: visitor@thisisdurham.com
Text: ‘Visit’ and your enquiry to 8001 1
Skype: ThisisDurham