The Auckland Project

05/09/2026

🌻 Harvest Bishop Auckland Horticultural & Produce Show 🥕

Got a great pumpkin, bake or homemade produce? Entries are now open!

🌻 Flowers, vegetables, baking, produce & crafts
🏆 Cash prizes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children's categories
✅ Free entry – everyone welcome!

📍 Entries & exhibits due by Friday 25 September 2026
📍 HEARTH, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NJ

🥔 New for 2026: Plot to Plate – Potato Pot Luck! Bring your heritage potato harvest for judging 😄

Find out more: https://aucklandproject.org/event/horticultural-and-produce-show-entries/

📧 [email protected]

04/09/2026

Adventure awaits in the Wilderness Garden!

Our first-ever play area is almost ready to explore! Come try out our brand-new adventure trail, it's as long as a football pitch and already packed with fun features like:
Balance Beams 🪵
Stepping Logs 🦶
Climbing Frames 🧗

Mums, dads, and grandparents: bring the little ones out to the palace gardens to get a first taste of the action!

Garden ticket £5 for adults, free admission for children under 16 .Also any venue ticket also includes access to the adventure trail.

P.S. This is just the beginning—more exciting features will be opening up across the area soon!

03/09/2026

Did you know that coal miners worked in seams as low as 18 inches?

Tom McGuinness emphasises the cramped conditions experienced by those working in low coal seams underground. This uncomfortable miner has contorted his body into the tiny space as he erects the supports that will hold up the roof, allowing the continued extraction of coal. Tom printed multiple artist's proofs of this image, altering the printing plate and making trial impressions until he was satisfied with the result.

To see more of this artwork in person, visit the Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland.

Don't miss out, this piece is only on display until 13 September!

For more details: https://staging.aucklandproject.org/event/tom-mcguinness-out-of-the-darkness/

Miner Setting Support, Tom McGuinness, 1979, Etching. Zurbarán Trust.

©️ Estate of Tom McGuinness. All rights reserved, DACS 2026

02/09/2026

Uncover centuries of hidden history right in Bishop Auckland town centre!

For the first time, our archaeologists are bringing the post-excavation process out from behind closed doors and into an Open Lab. Come watch our experts analyse, catalogue, and preserve thousands of historic finds uncovered from eight years of excavations at Auckland Palace.

Watch the team at work: Fridays, 9.00am – 5.00pm (through the window)
Get hands-on & go inside: Fridays, 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Admission: FREE (No booking required)
Location: The Hearth, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NJ

Follow the Hearth – Bishop Auckland page for weekly updates on what we uncover and for more details : https://aucklandproject.org/event/archaeology-open-lab/

01/09/2026

Folk at the Hearth! 🎶

Join us this Friday, Sept 4th from 7pm – 11pm for an evening of traditional tunes, songs, and great company at the Hearth, Bishop Auckland!
Hosted by Paul Martin ('The Dunholm Piper') and special guest players, these sessions are all about welcoming music-making. Whether you play an instrument, love to sing, or just want to sit back with a drink, there's a spot for you.

FREE admission – no booking required!
Just drop in, grab a drink at the bar, and enjoy the night. Brought to you by Hearth in partnership with The Auckland Project.

For more details: https://aucklandproject.org/event/folk-at-the-hearth/

01/09/2026

Happy 1st September! What an amazing month August has been with all the lego, open art spaces, and exhibitions. Now, we're diving straight into the wonderful 'Word Fest' - a community-driven festival created by Dispel - Art and proudly funded by Bishop Auckland Town Council. Running from 7th September to 20th September 2026. It features a packed schedule of events each week from The Artists Hub - Bishop Auckland. Here are a few other little activities to pop into your diary as well!

01/09/2026

A little reminder!
 
We’re officially switching back to our Wednesday through Sunday schedule. Mark your calendars, save this post, and come visit us from 10:30–4pm, Wed–Sun.
 
Also, you can plan your day trip now and see how much you can pack into 24 hours! Save 40% on your ultimate day trip and unlock all of these amazing places in one visit with a Discovery Day Pass!
 
 

31/08/2026

A little reminder!
 
We’re officially switching back to our Wednesday through Sunday schedule starting tomorrow. Mark your calendars, save this post, and come visit us from 10am–4pm, Wed–Sun.
 
Also, you can plan your day trip now and see how much you can pack into 24 hours! Save 40% on your ultimate day trip and unlock all of these amazing places in one visit with a Discovery Day Pass!
 
 

29/08/2026

🌿 “A divine garden in a former coal-mining town.”

We’re delighted to see The Auckland Project featured in today’s Financial Times , as acclaimed gardening writer Robin Lane Fox visits Auckland Palace and its gardens.

“Historical spectacle and harmonious drifts of flowers and foliage bring a longstanding project in County Durham to fruition.”

The article explores the transformation of our historic gardens, the vision of Jonathan and Jane Ruffer and landscape designer Pip Morrison, and the wider purpose at the heart of The Auckland Project – creating opportunities, pride and a lasting legacy for Bishop Auckland.

A wonderful spotlight on our gardens, our town and a project more than a decade in the making.

🗞️ Read the full article here: https://www.ft.com/content/11c7f12f-e838-44b1-8843-49c218dbb424?syn-25a6b1a6=1

28/08/2026

📣 We’re hiring!

We’re looking for a friendly, organised and enthusiastic Visitor Experience Administration Assistant to join The Auckland Project.
This varied role sits at the heart of our Visitor Experience team, supporting everything from group and corporate bookings to major events such as AGLOW, while helping us deliver an excellent experience for everyone who visits Bishop Auckland.

📍 Bishop Auckland
⏰ Full-time, permanent
💷 National Minimum Wage
📅 Closing date: 18 September 2026

You’ll need strong organisational and customer service skills, excellent attention to detail and at least two years’ administrative experience.

In return, you’ll enjoy 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pension contributions, free parking, staff discounts and free unlimited access to our attractions for you and your family, subject to restrictions.

Ready to play your part in Bishop Auckland’s future?

👉 Find out more and download an application form: https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/
Please note, we’re unable to accept CVs; applications must be made using our application form.

Jobs in heritage, history and culture. Explore the latest job opportunities available at The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland.