Travel arrangements announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
HEADING to Bishop Auckland Food Festival this weekend? Organisers have announced travel
arrangements for getting to the event.
Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns to the town centre on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, for
two days of fun, food and family entertainment. With over 150 stalls, festivalgoers will be able to
see, try and buy produce from a variety of traders, selling everything from street food to sweet
treats.
And they’ll be able to enjoy their goods while watching cookery demonstrations from a line-up of
renowned celebrity chefs, including TV chef Simon Rimmer; social media influencer and baker Jane
Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie; MasterChef 2024 champion Brin Pirathapan; TV judge and pastry chef
Cherish Finden; master chocolatier Paul A Young; Italian chef Francesco Mattana; and festival
favourite TV presenter Chris Bavin, who returns as cookery theatre host.
Throughout the weekend, there will be lots of other activities including ticketed workshops and a
host of family-friendly street entertainment, from musicians to comedy performers. The festival is
expected to attract thousands of people to Bishop Auckland town centre across the two days, so
organisers are encouraging visitors to plan their journey in advance.
Bishop Auckland Food Festival will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 12 April, and 10am to
4pm on Sunday 13 April.
Visitors are recommended to use the accessible park and ride service, which will be in operation
between Bishop Auckland College (DL14 6JZ) and the town centre. Buses will run from 9.30am on
Saturday and Sunday, with the last return bus running at 5.30pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on
Sunday.
Return tickets cost £2.50 for adults, 50 pence for children aged five to 15 years old, and are free
for those under five. Town centre car parks will be open, but are expected to be busy, and drivers
should also be aware of diversions due to road closures for the event.
A full list of road closures and traffic information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/BAFFtravel .
Sarah Glynn, Durham County Council’s strategic manager for culture, said: “We can’t wait to
continue our festival and events programme for 2025 with the return of Bishop Auckland Food
Festival. From food to celebrity chefs, activities and entertainment, there is so much on offer over
the two days, and just in time for the Easter holidays too.
“Bishop Auckland Food Festival always promises to be a popular weekend, attracting thousands of
visitors to the town. Therefore, we would encourage everyone who is planning to come along to
make sure to plan their journey in advance so that they don’t miss out on the fun.”
For more information about Bishop Auckland Food Festival, visit
www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
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NEWS
Hop aboard the Easter Express as family fun returns to Weardale Railway
EASTER Express, a family-friendly railway adventure packed with springtime fun and festive activities
for all ages, returns to Weardale Railway.
Trains will be running throughout the Easter school holidays, including Wednesday, 16th April
(Stanhope to Wolsingham), Good Friday, 18th April (Stanhope to Bishop Auckland), Easter Saturday,
19th April (Stanhope to Wolsingham), Easter Sunday, 20th April (Stanhope to Bishop Auckland),
Easter Monday, 21st April (Stanhope to Wolsingham) and Wednesday, 23rd April (Stanhope to
Wolsingham).
To celebrate Easter, the railway’s popular ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer returns, where for just £1 per
child, up to two children can travel with every paying adult (T&Cs apply) – making it an affordable
and memorable day out for the whole family.
Children can also participate in an Easter Bunny Hunt. Also a Giant Egg Trail where they must spot
the giant eggs visible from the train with a spotting sheet with prizes for every child presented at
Stanhope station, which also has Platform Two Gift shop, a Craft market of handmade gifts, seasonal
treats and local goodies, as well as Platform One Fifteas Vintage Tearoom Café for some delicious
treats.
There will also be an egg decoration competition, where visitors can bring their best decorated
hard-boiled egg to Stanhope station. Entries are welcome from 16 April , dropped off at the station
with judging on Easter Sunday 20 April at 2pm and prizes in three categories for children under 7,
tweens/teens, and adults.
Claire Gibbons General Manager at Weardale Railway, said: “We’re so excited to welcome
families back on board for our Easter Express – it’s one of our favourite times of year here at
Weardale Railway. From the scenic train rides through the dales to the Easter Bunny Hunt and craft
activities at the station, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Our ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer also
means it’s a fun and affordable way for families to spend quality time together over the holidays.”
You can book your tickets online via Weardale Digitickets or simply turn up and pay on the day.
Trains will operate to the green timetable on Good Friday and Easter Sunday when they travel to and
from Bishop Auckland West.
Families can enjoy the scenic Weardale countryside, calling at all stations between Bishop
Auckland West and Stanhope – including West Witton-le-Wear, Wolsingham, Kingfisher Halt and
Frosterley on those days.
The Railway will also run shorter scenic trips to Wolsingham, operating on the purple
timetable on Wednesday 16 April, Easter Saturday (19 April), Easter Monday (21 April) and
Wednesday 23 April.
For timetables and tickets, visit: https://weardale-railway.digitickets.co.uk/tickets
