Bishop Auckland

Bishop Auckland is a market town in County Durham between the Wear and the Gaunless, spreading across hilly ground with views onto farmland and the wooded hills of the Durham Dales. Several bridges connect its neighborhoods, while stone houses from the 18th and 19th centuries shape the center and narrow lanes lead down to the riverbanks.

The place grew around the medieval residence of the Bishops of Durham, who lived and governed the land here for centuries. From the 19th century onward, railways and mining expanded the town, drawing workers from across the region and widening trade.

Locals often call the place Bishop and use its central marketplace for weekly market days that have continued for centuries. Many cafés and shops inside the old stone buildings reflect the connection to the surrounding countryside, where farming still plays a role.

A walk through the center reveals cafés, bookshops, and small stores along the main street, which is easy to explore on foot. Walking paths start at the riverbanks and lead through meadows and woodland into the nearby Durham Dales.

The Gaunless sometimes disappears underground and emerges again after several hundred meters, a phenomenon that has intrigued geologists for a long time. Old railway viaducts span the valleys and recall the era when steam locomotives ran through the region.

Location: County Durham

Shares border with: Willington

GPS coordinates: 54.66000,-1.68000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:01