Bishop Auckland is a town in County Durham, England.

Get in

By road from the south follow A1 past Scotch Corner onto A68 then A6072. From the north leave A1 at Bowburn (Durham services) for A688.

Arriva Bus 1 runs every 30 min from Darlington, taking an hour via Shildon and continuing to Crook; alternate buses carry on to Tow Law.

Bus 5 runs every 30 min from Darlington, taking 90 via Newton Aycliffe, with the last bus towards 11PM.

Bus 6 runs every 20 min from Durham, taking 40 min via Spennymoor and continuing to West Auckland.

Trains run hourly from Middlesbrough (some starting from Saltburn), taking an hour via Thornaby, Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon. Change at Darlington for London, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

1 Bishop Auckland station is central in town. It has a ticket office and machines, but no waiting room or toilets. There is step-free access to the sole platform.

Get around

Taxi firms in town are Aabat (+44 1388 607607), Cables (+44 1388 602313) and GMC (+44 7935 684022).

See

Auckland Project (AP) Pass gives you 12 months admission to the Castle, Spanish Gallery, Mining Art Gallery and Tower. In 2024 it's £27 for an adult.

• 1 Auckland Castle, Market Place DL14 7NR, ☏ +44 1388 743750. Mar-Dec W-Su 10:30AM-5PM. The castle was home to the Bishops of Durham from 1183 to 2012, each of whom embellished it in that period's style. The predominant style is Restoration Gothick; highlights are the Throne Room, the 17th century chapel, and the 13 paintings by Zurbarán in the Long Dining Room. Visit by guided tour. The Faith Museum (included) explores the role of religious faith in history. You can also ascend the modern tower for views, and explore the Walled Garden and deer park. Adult £15, child £7, AP Pass free. (updated Feb 2024)
• Spanish Gallery, Market Place DL14 7JF. Mar-Dec W-Su 10:30AM-5PM. Impressive collection of 16th and 17th Spanish art from around the county. Adult £12.50, AP Pass free. (updated Feb 2024)
• Mining Art Gallery, Market Place DL14 5NP. Mar-Dec W-Su 10:30AM-5PM. There was upsurge of art produced by miners in the inter-war years of the 20th century, showcased here. Adult £5, AP Pass free. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Binchester Roman Fort (Vinovia), Binchester DL14 8DJ, ☏ +44 1388 663089. April-Oct daily 10AM-4:30PM. Vinovia stood astride Dere Street, the Roman road into Scotland, at the point it crossed the River Wear. It was probably built around 79 AD and continuously garrisoned until the Romans abandoned Britain in 410. A civilian settlement grew up around the fort and remained inhabited into early medieval times. The site is more plundered than excavated - masonry and ornaments were purloined by Binchester Hall the nearby farm manor, or used as pit props. What remains includes two bathhouses, the commander's quarters, defensive structures and a section of road. Adult £5, conc £4, child £3. (updated Feb 2024)
• 3 Escomb Saxon Church, Escomb DL14 7SY, ☏ +44 1388 602860. One of only four intact Anglo-Saxon churches in England, built maybe 675 AD. Roman inscriptions and workmanship indicate masonry recycled from Vinovia. It's tall and narrow, with room to seat 65, and fell derelict after 1863 when a new parish church was completed. Ironically it was saved by falling church attendance: in 1963 the newer church was in need of major repair and had a dwindling congregation, so that was demolished and the refurbishment was of the Saxon church, which remains active Anglican. (updated Feb 2024)
• 4 Raby Castle (8 miles west on A688). Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Built in the 14th century, but much prettified in the 17th and 18th centuries. (updated Nov 2020)

Do

• Golf: Bishop Auckland GC is on the hillside east of town. White tees 6460 yards, par 72, visitor round £40.
• 1 Weardale Railway, between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland, ☏ +44 1388 526203. The train line runs between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland:  
• 2 Wolsingham Station, DL13 3BL. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Stanhope Station, Bondisle Way, Shittlehope, DL13 2YS. the principle station on the Wearsdale Railway (updated Mar 2023)
• 4 Kynren, Flatts Farm. Sa late June to mid-September. Outdoor historical show. (updated Nov 2020)

Buy

The main shopping area is around Newgate street. Asda and Morrisons supermarkets are near the southern end of Newgate Street

1 Newgate Centre. M-Sa 8AM - 6PM, Su 10AM - 4PM. Small shopping centre with 15 shops including Wilko and B&M. (updated Nov 2020)

2 Boyes, 84 Newgate Street. Discount department store (updated Nov 2020)

Drink

1 The Bay Horse, 39-40 Fore Bondgate, DL14 7PE, ☏ +44 1388 609 765. 10AM-midnight. (updated Mar 2023)

2 The Green Tree, 13 Cockton Hill Rd, DL14 6EN. Opposite Bishop Auckland Hospital (updated Mar 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Park Head Hotel, 13 Park View Terrace, New Coundon DL14 8QB, ☏ +44 1388 661727. Friendly and squeaky-clean country hotel with 38 rooms en suite. B&B double £110. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Premier Inn, West Auckland Rd DL14 9AP (within retail park), ☏ +44 333 777 3916. Budget chain, usually reliable. B&B double £120. (updated Feb 2024)
• 3 Manor House Hotel, Front St, West Auckland DL14 9HW, ☏ +44 1388 834834. Pleasant hotel and spa on the village green. B&B double £100. (updated Feb 2024)

Connect

As of June 2022, Bishop Auckland and its approach roads have 4G from EE and Vodafone, and 5G from O2 and Three.

Go next

• North 11 mi (18 km) to Durham
• South west 15 mi (24 km) to Barnard Castle