Auckland Castle
County Durham, England
Photo: Paul Buckingham, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Andrewrabbott, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andrewrabbott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- The Auckland Project
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Bishop Auckland, 0.7 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Former bishops' palace-castle, restored 2019; self-catering Auckland Palace Stays cottages sit yards from the gates
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. It now anchors a wider Auckland Project day out - the Spanish Gallery, Mining Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Auckland Tower and a free deer park are all within a few minutes' walk.
At a glance
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
Tickets are tiered: the Bishop's Key (adult £30 as of summer 2026) covers the castle, gardens, Spanish Gallery, Mining Art Gallery and Faith Museum, while Auckland Tower and the deer park are free - normal opening is Wednesday to Sunday plus bank holiday Mondays. To stay over, The Auckland Project lets its own self-catering cottages (Auckland Palace Stays, 17th-century stone cottages to Victorian townhouses) just outside the gates, and Heritage Cottage bookings include a Bishop's Key. The on-site cafe has run short of choices at busy times, so have a backup plan in town if food matters.
What visitors say
Auckland Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 1,047 Google reviews
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.
“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
Within reach of Newcastle (22 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what The Auckland Project says
Palace, Faith Museum, Mining Art Gallery, Spanish Gallery, Tower wheelchair accessible. Walled Garden not accessible; motorized wheelchair recommended for Deer Park. Accessible toilets, manual wheelchair hire (limited), accessible parking 650m away. Hearing loops at Welcome Desks. Assistance dogs welcome. Free carer tickets.
Taken from The Auckland Project’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Hugh de Puiset, Bishop of Durham · c. 1153-1195 (begun); early 13th century (completed)
Hugh de Puiset, Bishop of Durham (1153-1195), began this palace, completed in the first half of the 13th century as the bishops' primary residence. Bishop John Cosin rebuilt the interior around 1661-1665, converting a banqueting hall into a chapel with rococo plasterwork. After 200 years as the sole episcopal seat, the castle was acquired by Jonathan Ruffer in 2012, underwent major restoration, and reopened as the Auckland Project in 2019. The site now showcases the bishops' palatial quarters across 14 restored rooms plus museums of mining and world religion.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “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
Common questions about Auckland Castle
Where is Auckland Castle?
Auckland Castle is in County Durham, England, at Market Pl, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR.
Do you need a ticket to visit Auckland Castle?
Yes - Auckland Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by The Auckland Project. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Auckland Castle?
Yes - Auckland Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Auckland Castle?
The room guides - reviewers repeatedly single them out as unusually well-informed and engaging, elevating what could be a standard house tour.
Is Auckland Castle a ruin or still intact?
Auckland Castle is largely intact - Former bishops' palace-castle, restored 2019; self-catering Auckland Palace Stays cottages sit yards from the gates.
