The Bishop Auckland attraction The Auckland Project has won a VisitEngland Gold award following a Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment. The Auckland Project includes Auckland Palace and its Walled Gardens, Auckland Tower, the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery.

VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades are available to participants of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, which advises attractions on improving and promoting the quality, accessibility and sustainability of their sites.

Jared Bowers, Chief Operating Officer at The Auckland Project, said: “Achieving a VisitEngland Gold accolade is a testament to the time, effort, skill and passion that has been invested into The Auckland Project. Our staff and volunteers are committed to giving guests a great experience, and understand the importance of a friendly face, a knowledgeable mind, and an engaging story.”

The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity aiming to transform Bishop Auckland into a premier visitor destination through a unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries and gardens.

Once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, Auckland Palace is one of the best-preserved bishops’ palaces in Europe, which reopened in 2019 after undergoing major conservation work.