The past, present and future of one of County Durham’s oldest towns is being explored in a series of free, weekly tours led by local volunteers.
From March 23rd, visitors to Bishop Auckland will be able to enjoy free, guided walks around its historic Market Place, led by fully-trained volunteers from the Auckland Castle Trust.
Stops on route will include the site of St Anne’s Church, where a church has stood since the 12th century, the French Gothic style Town Hall, built in 1861 and the site of the former Doggart’s department store, which opened in 1895.
Other highlights on the tour will include the Robinson Arch outside Auckland Castle, once a private residence for the Prince Bishops of Durham, along with a number of empty buildings that have now been acquired by the Auckland Castle Trust, as part of the charity’s £70m plans to revitalise Bishop Auckland.
This includes the site of Backhouse Bank, which grew into one of the North East’s biggest banks following its foundation in 1774, the former Barrington School, which was launched by Bishop Shute Barrington in 1810, and the Gothic Revival style Old Bank Chambers, founded in 1860.
As well as finding out more about the history of these beautiful buildings, guests on the tour will also be given an insight into how they are now being restored by Auckland Castle Trust to create a new faith, arts and heritage destination of international significance.
“This is an exciting time for Bishop Auckland,” said Louise Costello, Visitor Experience Manager for Auckland Castle Trust. “With work on many of Auckland Castle Trust’s Future Plans now well underway, we thought it was a perfect time to celebrate the history of the town and look forward to the developments ahead.
“Our 10 eager volunteers will be leading three tours a week around the Market Place, offering visitors the chance to learn not only about specific buildings but about the important historical role played by the town and its most famous residents, the Prince Bishops of Durham.”
Auckland Castle Trust’s Past and Future Tours, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), form part of the charity’s ongoing programme of events and community engagement.
Tours will depart from No.42, Bishop Auckland Market Place every Thursday at 12.30pm, Friday at 2pm and Saturday at 11am.
Attendance is free and places do not need to be booked in advance.
For more information visit www.aucklandcastle.org/events, call 01388 743797 or email bookings@aucklandcastle.org.
For more information about Auckland Castle Trust and its plans to revitalise Bishop Auckland, including the creation of a Mining Art Gallery, re-imagined 17th Century Walled Garden and landmark Welcome Building, visit https://www.aucklandcastle.org/future-plans.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
