Auckland Castle

County Durham, United Kingdom

Restored bishop's palace of nearly nine hundred years in Bishop Auckland, County Durham

No. 589 · Autumn 2026

The castle rising from parkland, framed by trees, Auckland Castle

Welcome

Seat of the Prince Bishops

Auckland Castle is a bishop's palace in Bishop Auckland, the seat of the Prince Bishops of Durham for nearly nine hundred years, now restored by The Auckland Project and hired for weddings of up to around 200 guests.

For nearly nine hundred years the castle was the palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham, who held their own court and governed the border country. The Auckland Project has since restored it as a heritage attraction and wedding venue.

The pink Throne Room and its white Gothic throne canopy through the doorway, Auckland Castle

The setting

Vows in Gothic rooms

Couples marry in the State Rooms, beneath the white Gothic canopy of the pink Throne Room, or in St Peter's Chapel, whose Gothic nave rises to a painted ceiling lit by tall lancet windows.

Where: Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Stay: Hotels and inns nearby
Ceremony: State Rooms, Throne Room or St Peter's Chapel

A candlelit banquet along a long dressed table with greenery, Auckland Castle

The celebration

How the day is held

4 spaces for the day. Up to 120 guests.

The Long Dining Room set for a candlelit private dinner, Zurbaran portraits above the panelling, Auckland Castle

The Palace

A Bishop's Palace

For nearly 900 years the seat of the Prince Bishops of Durham, now a restored heritage wedding venue.

A State Room with deep red walls, a marble fireplace and hung paintings, Auckland Castle

The Rooms

The State Rooms

Grand Gothic rooms, the Long Dining Room hung with Zurbaran and the pink Throne Room, for the ceremony and feast.

The Chapel

St Peter's Chapel

One of the largest private chapels in Europe, a soaring Gothic nave for the ceremony.

The Walled Garden, a long planted path viewed through the gateway, Auckland Castle

Where to stay

Rest, close at hand

The Gothic east wing and St Peter's Chapel, a garden path and clipped hedge under blue sky, Auckland Castle

Rooms

The Long Dining Room

Panelled and hung with Zurbaran

Zurbaran Paintings · Panelled Hall

A deer-park path beneath a mature tree, the castle's arcaded wall beyond, Auckland Castle

Rooms

The Throne Room

Pink walls and a Gothic canopy

Gothic Canopy · State Room

The Long Dining Room in daylight, Zurbaran patriarch portraits above the table, Auckland Castle

Location

Getting there

Auckland Castle stands in the market place of Bishop Auckland, in the heart of County Durham, a restored bishop's palace with walled gardens and a deer park behind it.

Airport: Newcastle, about 45 minutes by car
Airport: Leeds Bradford
Station: Bishop Auckland (Northern Trains) is the nearest station, about 0.4 miles from the venue in a...
Nearby: Durham, About 12 miles
Nearby: Newcastle, About 30 minutes
Nearby: Bishop Auckland Station, In the town

The Walled Garden in bloom, the castle's crenellations rising behind, Auckland Castle

A stained-glass lancet window in the chapel, Auckland Castle

At a glance

The facts

Price: On enquiry
Exclusive use: State Rooms, chapel and grounds
Catering: Approved caterer list
Nearest airport: Newcastle, about 45 minutes
Grounds: Walled gardens and deer park

A luxury wedding venue

Auckland Castle

Prices on enquiry.

EnquireCheck your date 5starweddingdirectory.com/wedding-venues/united-kingdom/auckland-castle/

Enquiries handled by 5 Star Weddings

aucklandproject.org·County Durham, United Kingdom·@aucklandproject

5starweddingdirectory.com