Bishop Auckland is a market town in County Durham, and it’s situated where the River Wear meets River Gaunless. The town nestles in the rivers’ valley, and it’s surrounded by beautiful countryside. Both Darlington and Durham are just 12 miles away.
Bishop Auckland railway station has regular services to Darlington, Middlesbrough and Saltburn. The A1 is nearby so travelling further afield by car is easy. There are good bus services here too, taking people to the surrounding villages and the nearby towns.
There are plenty of good schools to choose from both in the town and the surrounding villages. Options for primary schools include Woodhouse Community Primary School and St Andrew’s Primary School. There are three secondary schools in the town; St John’s Catholic School, Bishop Barrington School and King James I Academy. There’s also Bishop Auckland College, which provides a local further education option too.
Bishop Auckland Retail Park has national shopping brands like Next, Boots and M&S Simply Food. There are some food and drink outlets there, too, including Costa and Domino’s Pizza. The town also has independent shops and stores like Clair’s Gluten Free Bakery, or Temptations.
There are great options when heading out for a meal in Bishop Auckland. Fifteas Vintage Tearoom is popular due to its delicious food and Gabrielle’s is a fantastic local Italian restaurant. Spice Lounge is home to moreish Indian food, and Chang Thai serves tasty, authentic Thai food.
Bishop Auckland has some great traditional pubs too, such as The Pollards and The Top House.
There are plenty of accessible local amenities here, with Bishop Auckland Hospital providing healthcare alongside GP practices and pharmacies. There’s Bishop Auckland Library, two Post Offices and Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, which has a gym and swimming pool.
Auckland Castle dates back to the 12th century, and it’s a Grade I listed historic site. The castle is located just outside the town center and provides plenty of walks around its stunning grounds. The site has a Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Trevor Gallery and Auckland Tower Visitor Centre. The Bishop Auckland Food Festival is a fun, annual event in the castle grounds every April.
The Kynren Project based in the town has received stunning reviews and really is a “must see live action outdoor show” reliving 2000 years of British History. Along with the historic Auckland Castle and art galleries Bishop Auckland really is the place to visit, live and work.
