The gardens surrounding Auckland Castle are being transformed. The Auckland Project’s gardeners are using their skills and talent to restore the Walled Garden to its former glory. The lower Walled Garden is blooming once again and is open for visitors to explore. The garden has already produced in excess of 7,000 kilograms of fruit and vegetables that are served in The Auckland Project’s cafés and restaurants and shared with local community groups.
The next phase of redevelopment is the reimagining of the upper terrace of the Walled Garden, which will include a striking and contemporary ridge and furrow glasshouse designed by Mawson / Kerr. This glasshouse will be a working space for the Auckland Castle estate, as well as being open to the public. The upper Walled Garden will open to the public in spring 2024.
Meanwhile, work continues on the new Faith Garden which will also open to the public in spring 2024. Located next to the Faith Museum, the Faith Garden design will reflect the footprint of Bishop Anthony Bek’s long-lost medieval chapel which once stood on this site.
It is hoped that Auckland Castle’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.
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Faith Museum
The Faith Museum will be a new museum dedicated to experiences and expressions of faith throughout British history.
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Weardale Railway
Weardale Railway is back on track this year, following an extensive restoration programme.
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