Auckland Palace and Gardens in Bishop Auckland have been shortlisted for two prestigious regional tourism awards.
The historic attraction, operated by regeneration charity The Auckland Project, is a finalist for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and Regenerative Tourism at the North East England Tourism Awards 2026, recognising its visitor experience and its role in Bishop Auckland’s regeneration.
The annual awards celebrate excellence, innovation and best practice across the visitor economy in County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.
The double shortlisting recognises both the quality of the visitor experience at Auckland Palace and Gardens and The Auckland Project’s wider work to regenerate Bishop Auckland through culture, heritage and tourism.
At the heart of Bishop Auckland is Auckland Palace, which served as the primary country residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham for over 800 years, wielding incredible powers including the authority to dispense justice, mint currency, and raise an army.
The palace’s extensive grounds comprise the 150-acre Deer Park and 10 acres of gardens, originally designed as a private domain to escape the turbulence of the north, entertain guests and produce fresh food for the estates. The palace also includes St Peter’s Chapel, restored Georgian Gothic state rooms, and Francisco de Zurbarán’s celebrated paintings of Jacob and His Twelve Sons.
The surrounding meticulously restored gardens, designed by Pip Morrison, include the 17th-century Walled Garden, Faith Garden, Paradise Garden and Wilderness Garden.
Fresh produce hand-picked from the estate’s Walled Garden is regularly harvested and served across the charity’s venues, including the Bishop’s Kitchen at Auckland Palace, El Castillo Spanish tapas restaurant, and the Park Head Hotel, with surplus yields donated to local charities and foodbanks.
Vic Cunningham, Head of Visitor Experience at The Auckland Project, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see Auckland Palace and Gardens shortlisted in two categories at the North East England Tourism Awards, recognising the difference we make for visitors and for Bishop Auckland.
“Being recognised for both our visitor experience and regenerative tourism is particularly special. Everything we do is about giving people a memorable reason to visit Bishop Auckland while ensuring tourism brings lasting benefits to the town and its community.
“This recognition also reflects the passion and hard work of our staff and volunteers, who make visitors feel welcome and help bring the remarkable stories of Auckland Palace and Bishop Auckland to life every day.”
The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity working to establish Bishop Auckland as a major cultural destination and create opportunities for the local community through employment, education, skills and sustainable economic growth.
Its wider visitor destination includes the Faith Museum, Spanish Gallery, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower, Weardale Railway and Binchester Roman Fort.
Find out more here: https://aucklandproject.org/
The North East England Tourism Awards are delivered in partnership with VisitEngland, with eligible Gold winners progressing to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
