Residents of Bishop Auckland and its surrounding towns and villages are being given the chance to be part of history at a Georgian-themed community celebration to mark the reopening
of Auckland Castle.
On Saturday, 2 November 2019 the 900-year-old Castle will re-open its doors following three years of conservation, led by regeneration charity and visitor destination, The Auckland Project.
To mark the occasion, The Auckland Project is hosting a day of live music, entertainment and family activities and offering members of the local community the opportunity to be first through the Castle doors.
Liz Fisher, Engagement and Curatorial Director at The Auckland Project said: “This is the moment we have been looking forward to for so long, re-opening the doors of Auckland Castle and welcoming the local community back inside. This will be a day to remember for years to come and a moment to celebrate Auckland Castle, its history, heritage and future.”
Auckland Castle, the former home of the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham, will be officially re-opened at 10.30am with a ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches from Mrs Sue Snowdon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Jonathan Ruffer, Founder of The Auckland Project and Tiffany Hunt MBE, Chair of the Committee for the North of England at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Visitors will be able to enjoy live entertainment and activities all themed around the Georgian era, to reflect the rich history of Auckland Castle and its grand State Rooms, which have been returned to their Georgian Gothic splendour. There will also be an opportunity to journey through time to meet characters from the 18th century, such as Bishop Shute Barrington, watch sword fighting demonstrations and enjoy live music from the era.
Families can have fun with a Georgian-themed fancy-dress stall, craft activities and the opportunity to have a go at fencing and archery. And all ages can immortalise their personal history and links to Auckland Castle by recording their memories on a special Memory Tree. For the day, entry to the Castle will be offered at the discounted rate of £5 per adult, £4 concessions and £1 per child. Ticket-holders will be among the first to step inside the historic castle and explore the untold stories of faith and power that lie inside.
They will journey through the centuries, following in the footsteps of the Prince Bishops of Durham from 300-year-old St Peter’s Chapel, along the 18th century processional route and through the Bishops’ private apartments to the present day.
Carefully restored rooms and innovative audio-visual installations, including animation, music and snatches of overheard conversation, will bring the history of the Castle to life while the series of paintings, Jacob and His Twelve Sons by Spanish master, Francisco de Zurbarán, will be back in the Long Dining Room, following their international tour.
A new team of volunteers from The Auckland Project will also be on hand throughout the Castle to welcome its first visitors. And the Bishop’s Kitchen café will be open for the first time, offering a selection of snacks, sandwiches and treats in the Castle’s old medieval kitchen, all created by The Auckland Project’s Catering Team.
The conservation of Auckland Castle has been supported by a number of organisations and individuals, including a £12.4m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Sir Peter Luff, Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “This is an initiative we’re proud to support and we are delighted that, thanks to National Lottery players, the reopening of Auckland Castle will allow future generations to discover and explore their history.”
Tickets for the Auckland Castle Community Day are available in person at Auckland Tower, or by calling 01388 743 797, priced at £5 per adult, £4 concessions and £1 per child for this day only. Visitors can also purchase an Auckland Pass, starting at £12.50 per adult, which offers entry to Auckland Castle and Bishop Trevor Gallery as well as The Auckland Project’s Mining Art Gallery and Auckland Tower visitor centre until January 2021.
General admission to the Castle will begin the following day (3 November), with tickets available to pre-book until March 2020, with ticket prices starting at £10 per adult.
Bookings can be made online, at aucklandproject.org, via telephone, on 01388 743797, or in person at Auckland Tower, Bishop Auckland Market Place. A special 10% launch discount is available online only.