The gardens surrounding Auckland Palace are being transformed. The Auckland Project’s gardeners have used their skills and talent to restore the Walled Garden, with the reimagining of the upper terrace and the creation of a striking and contemporary ridge and furrow glasshouse designed by Mawson / Kerr.
The Walled Garden fully reopened to the public in May 2024 and the Walled Garden and the glasshouse are open for visitors to explore. The fruit and vegetables grown in the Walled Garden are served in The Auckland Project’s cafés and restaurants and shared with local community groups.
The Faith Garden and Wilderness Garden also opened to the public in spring 2024. Located next to the Faith Museum, the Faith Garden design reflects the footprint of Bishop Anthony Bek’s long-lost medieval chapel which once stood on this site, whilst the Wilderness Garden is a haven for wildlife overlooking the historic Deer Park.
The next phase of development is the Great Garden, a spectacular landscaped garden in the grounds of Auckland Palace which is due to open in spring 2025. It is hoped that Auckland Palace’s gardens will become a visitor attraction in their own right in the next couple of years, attracting thousands more people to Bishop Auckland to enjoy the town’s unique history and heritage.
Broadwalk
The Auckland Project are re-levelling the surface and re-aligning the desire lines of the Broadwalk, the grand approach which leads towards Auckland Castle, the Walled Garden and the Deer Park.
Find out more about the Broadwalk project
Faith Museum
The Faith Museum will be a new museum dedicated to experiences and expressions of faith throughout British history.
Find out more about the Faith Museum project
Weardale Railway
Weardale Railway programme is now complete and open to the public.
Find out more about the Weardale Railway project