Bishop Auckland Castle and Deer House
A gentle walk through Auckland Park taking in the River Wear, River Gaunless, Walled Garden and Deer House.
Description
Start : Auckland Tower (vistor centre) (DL14 7NJ) junction Castle Chare and Market Place.
(S/E) From Auckland Tower (vistor centre), walk through the gateway to Auckland Castle. You will pass the castle on your left and the walled garden on your right. Follow the wide track around to the left (north) at the end of the garden.
(1) At the path junction, follow the sign for the Deer House (North-East). The path then bends to the north then North-West after the Deer House to another path junction.
(2) Turn right onto the wider track, cross the River Gaunless and continue straight follow the North-East direction. Cross Coundon Burn/ the path turns East here and then North-East again.
(3) At the end of the track will be a stile, cross the stile and turn left. Walk along the boundary to Auckland Castle Park (West). After 500m the path will turn South and continue down to the River Wear and exit over a stile onto a road.
(4) Turn left onto the road and cross the River Gaunless using Jock's Bridge, then turn immediately right and walk underneath the bridge you have just crossed. Pick up the path which runs parallel to the River Gaunless until you reach the bridge you crossed earlier (2).
Turn right onto the wide track (south) and continue until you reach (1), go straight across into the trees. This path will bend around to the left following the bank of the River Gaunless and then loop bak up to Auckland Castle. Turn left and back through the gateway to the Auckland Tower (S/E).
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 97 m - Auckland Tower (Visitor Centre)
- 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 83 m - Track Junction
- 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 75 m - Bridge over River Gaunless
- 3 : km 1.56 - alt. 107 m - Track Junction/Stile
- 4 : km 2.48 - alt. 69 m - River Wear
- S/E : km 3.71 - alt. 97 m - Auckland Tower (Visitor Centre)
Useful Information
Start : Auckland Tower (vistor centre) (DL14 7NJ) junction Castle Chare and Market Place.
Transport: The park entrance is a short walk from Bishop Auckland Bus Station and Railway Station. There is ample parking in the town centre.
Facilities: There is nothing along the route, however there are public toilets at the bus station and numerous cafes, restaurants, takeaways and bars in the town centre.
Accessibility: There are stiles on this walk and some of the terrain can be muddy after rain.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
- Bishop Auckland Castle was once the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham. There are many attractions which are managed by the Auckland Project starting with a visit to Auckland Tower before entering the grounds of Auckland Castle. Also worth visiting is the castle itself as well as the newly restored walled gardens. If you wish to explore the park further see the park map.
- The Deer House is managed by English Heritage and is located in the grounds of the castle.
- Kynren is a spectacular outdoor show at 11arches behind the castle. This show with its huge cast tells the story of the north east and is scheduled every weekend during the summer.
