Many time over the last few months, H&N Magazine has visited County Durham. There is so much to discover, no matter what age you are, this magical county continues to surprise and delight. So much so that we now have an ongoing love affair with the area.
If you have never visited County Durham and the surrounding areas, or even if you have, there is always something new to capture your heart. World-class heritage, stunning landscapes, cultural attractions, the list is endless.
So we decided to tell you about some of our favourites, and because there’s so many, we are making it a series, here’s part one.
Make yourself comfy, grab a coffee and be inspired…
Let’s start with The Auckland Project – one historic town, two thousand years of history!
For many centuries, Bishop Auckland was a thriving market town but since the demise of the mining industry, like many British towns, it has been affected by an economic and social decline.
The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity working to establish Bishop Auckland as a must-visit cultural destination. The attractions bring the rich and surprising story of Bishop Auckland to life for visitors and the local community through the arts, culture and heritage.
Auckland Tower
Auckland Tower is the perfect place to begin your visit to The Auckland Project.
The team will be on hand to answer your questions and help you plan the ideal route around the attractions. From Auckland Tower’s viewing platform you will be able to orientate yourself and get the lay of the land.
Here you can buy tickets, collect guidebooks and maps, and learn about events and activities, as well as finding out more about the Prince Bishops of Durham, before making your way to the Palace.
The building, designed by Nìall McLaughlin, stands on the threshold between the town and the Palace. Its modern design echoes historic structures, like a great wooden siege engine drawn up against the Palace’s fortifications to allow access to the historic inner realm.
The 15 metre high viewing platform offers 360deg views across Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland town, and the rural landscape beyond. We recommend you make this your starting point.
Auckland Palace
Walk in the footsteps of the Prince Bishop’s of Durham, the original ‘Kings of the North’!
Auckland Palace, is one of the best-preserved Bishop’s palaces in the whole of Europe with a story spanning almost 1,000 years.
Positioned high above the meandering River Wear, it is a remarkable symbol of faith and power and was once the seat of the Prince Bishops of Durham. The Prince Bishops were given exceptional powers by the Norman kings of England, as well as the Church, and governed vast swathes of North East England.
A visit to Auckland Palace can help you to appreciate the power, wealth, influence and faith of the Prince Bishops of Durham and understand the fascinating history of the men who have helped to shape the country we live in today.
We travelled through time, wandering through various rooms bursting with fine art and stunning antique furniture. The magnificent Throne Room, once used to entertain guests, now restored to its original Georgian gothic splendour. The Private Apartments give a fascinating insight into the private and family lives of the Bishops, from the 1800’s, right up to present day.
Outside the palace, you can wander around 10 acres of beautifully landscaped historic gardens, the Walled Garden is stunning, peaceful, and the perfect place to sit awhile and breathe in the perfume filled air from the many flowers.
There’s even a Deer Park, teeming with the cutest deer. This is somewhere the whole family can enjoy.
Top Tip: Make sure you wear comfy shoes – there’s lots of walking involved.
The Spanish Gallery
This is the UK’s first gallery dedicated to the art and culture of the Spanish Golden Age. The Spanish Gallery is a unique and remarkable cornucopia of art, history and culture.
Here you can experience the majesty and melodrama of one of the UK’s largest collections of 16th and 17th century Spanish artworks outside London, and admire masterpieces by renowned artists including El Greco, Murillo, Zurbarán and Velázquez.
The Spanish Gallery is inspired by Francisco de Zurbarán’s series of Spanish masterpieces, Jacob and His Twelve Sons, which have hung in Auckland Palace for over 250 years. The Spanish Gallery tells the story of these masterpieces’ journey from Spain to England nearly 300 years ago within the wider context of the Spanish Golden Age.
We are by no means fine art lovers, but the art on display here had us captivated. It’s simply stunning. I think we have been converted!
These were the places we visited during one of our recent trips, however, there is so much more to see at the Auckland Project. There’s the Faith Museum, the Mining Art Gallery, Weardale Railway and Binchester.
Be prepared to spend a whole day of discovery at this superb attraction so you have time to visit everything.
Top Tip: There are great places to eat here, but we took a packed lunch to enjoy in the Walled Garden. While you eat, you can appreciate the beauty of the gardens and how peaceful it is. We could have sat there for hours.
The more time we spend here, the more we realise how special County Durham is. It keeps drawing us back. Be prepared for it to work its magic on you too!
Watch out for Part Two of our Visit County Durham series when we introduce you to Raby Castle and The Bowes Museum.
Find out more at www.visitcountydurham.org
Review and images by Angela Riches and Dave Riches
