Key facts
- Operator
- The Auckland Project
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Market Pl, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR
Telephone 01388 743750
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
A former bishop's palace, restored and reopened in 2019, that's part historic house and part unexpected surprise - reviewers are struck by a room of paintings and contemporary art you wouldn't expect to find inside a medieval palace-castle. The walled garden and chapel add real scale beyond the main rooms.
Worth the trip
The room guides - reviewers repeatedly single them out as unusually well-informed and engaging, elevating what could be a standard house tour.
Before you go
The on-site cafe has had limited choices reported at busy times, including running out of some options on a Saturday lunchtime, so it's worth having a backup plan in town if food matters to your visit.
Reviewers are impressed by Auckland Castle's thoughtfully curated displays and the friendly, knowledgeable staff throughout the building, chapel, and walled garden. The cafe is generally well liked, though a couple of visitors mention minor letdowns, one found the coffee lacking, another found the food choices limited with no gluten-free options on the day they visited.
Former bishops' palace-castle, restored 2019
“Interesting house, garden and grounds to explore. Cafe had limited choices when we visited on a Saturday lunchtime and no gluten free options as they had run out of jacket potatoes so we went into town.”— Graddy 61, visitor review
Further reading
UGears - Hogwarts Castle mechanical wooden model (340pc)
Currently-sold mechanical wooden 3D model kit, 340 parts.
Find it on Amazon
