How to get toThe Auckland Projectcar-free
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Visit The Auckland Project car-free
Travel a greener way to get a discount on Bishop’s Key annual passes. Enjoy a full year of discounted seasonal access to Auckland Palace, the Faith Museum, gardens, galleries and more.
It’s easy to visit The Auckland Project car-free.
Trains run to BIshop Auckland from: Darlington (25 mins) and Middlesbrough (55 mins).
Buses run from: Durham (45 mins), Darlington (55 mins) and Newcastle (95 mins).
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
Discount: Enjoy a full year of discounted seasonal access to Auckland Palace, the Faith Museum, gardens, galleries and more. Simply show a valid bus or rail ticket dated for the day of your visit. Please note this is an onsite-only offer, so it can’t be used online or in advance.
For more money-saving tips see our handy guides to UK trains and buses.
Within the North East Combined Authority area, visit by bus for a maximum of £2.50 single or get a day’s unlimited bus, Metro and Shields Ferry travel from anywhere within the North East Combined Authority area for £7.50 by buying a TNE Day Saver.
For journeys wholly within County Durham you can buy a Durham Day Rover and travel all day for just £5.
Passengers aged 5-21 can get £1 single or £3 regionwide day tickets. However, kids aged 5-11 travel free on the bus with an adult during school holidays (up to three children aged 11 and under). This offer applies within the North East Combined Authority – County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
All other bus tickets and passes are also valid for the discount offer.
See full fares offers and information at www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/bus.
For those travelling from outside the North East Combined Authority area, the £3 national fare cap applies.
View the route of the first passenger railway, the Bishop Line between Darlington and Bishop Auckland. Trains pass over Skerne Bridge, the oldest railway bridge in current use. Find out more about the route.
The line continues as the Weardale Railway, travelling toward Stanhope and the North Pennines National Landscape.
Picturesque bus route 85 from Barnard Castle and route 6 from Durham bring you past dry stone walls and rolling hills to the bustle of Bishop Auckland.
Kid’s activities are on offer at many of The Auckland Project’s locations.
Cycle on paths National Route 715 and 70 off-road from Durham via Willington on the traffic-free Brandon-Bishop Auckland Railway Path. This is a similar route to the Weardale Way. You can also follow the heritage train route from Stanhope through Weardale.
Plan your cycle route here to the bike racks outside Auckland Tower.
Walk the Weardale Way from Durham via Willington. The Way of Life and Camino Inglés also go from Durham Cathedral.
Taxis wait at Bishop Auckland train station. You can phone in advance with: Cables – 01388 602 313.
Find accessibility information for transport and The Auckland Project. Bishop Auckland train station has step-free access.
Discover more North East offers and days out with Good Journey.
Get updated bus information with web or app or by texting the stop code to: 84268.
Getting to The Auckland Project car-free
Here's our recommended route to The Auckland Project. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
Attraction locations
The Auckland Project attraction locations can be found on this interactive map or Google map.
By train
There are two train stations in Bishop Auckland, but they are side-by-side.
There are direct trains to Bishop Auckland on the Bishop Line section of the Tees Valley Line from: Darlington (25 mins), Eaglescliffe (40 mins), Middlesbrough (55 mins), Newton Aycliffe (5 mins), Saltburn (80 mins) and Shildon (5 mins).
Heritage trains run seasonally to Bishop Auckland West on the Weardale Railway from: Stanhope (55 mins) and Wolsingham (35 mins). Check the times before you depart.
It’s about a 15-minute walk along Newgate Street. Do not cross the railway bridge, just walk straight up. Turn Right at the football museum.
You could also take a 10-minute bus ride from the train station on one of the frequent buses 6, X21 or 56.
By train via Darlington
There are direct trains to Darlington from:
- East Coast Mainline and app: Doncaster (55 mins), Durham (15 mins), Edinburgh (2 hrs), London Kings Cross (2.5), Morpeth (50 mins), Newcastle (30 mins), Northallerton (10 mins), York (30 mins),
- Tees Valley Line: Eaglescliffe (15 mins), Middlesborough (30 mins) and Saltburn (55 mins),
- Cross Pennines: Leeds (50 mins), Liverpool (3 hrs), Manchester (2 hrs),
- Birmingham (3 hrs) and other cities.
Change for the train to Bishop Auckland. This takes about 25 minutes.
It’s about a 15-minute walk along Newgate Street. Do not cross the railway bridge, just walk straight up. Turn Right at the football museum.
You could also take a 10-minute bus ride from the train station on one of the frequent buses 6, X21 or 56.
By bus from Durham
Bus X21 and bus 6 run from Durham bus station through Bishop Auckland town centre via Spennymoor (20 mins). The journey from Durham takes about 45 minutes. Both buses leave frequently (regularly on Sunday). Jump off at Market Place, by the Auckland Tower.
By bus from Darlington
Bus 1 runs from Darlington and through Bishop Auckland via Shildon (20 mins). The journey from Darlington takes about 55 minutes. Buses leave from Tubwell Row frequently (less on Sunday). Jump off at Newgate Street, which is the high street. Wait until you have passed the church bus stop.
Bus 5 also runs, but takes 80 minutes from Darlington as it goes through Shildon (20 mins) and Newton Aycliffe (40 mins).
It’s then a 5-10 minute walk, forward in the direction you have been travelling. Turn Right at the football museum.
By bus from Newcastle
Bus X21 runs from Eldon Square bus station, via Gateshead Interchange through Bishop Auckland town centre. Buses leave frequently (regularly on Sunday). The journey takes about 95 minutes. Jump off at Market Place, by the Auckland Tower.
About The Auckland Project
The Auckland Project in County Durham is a charity that brings together art, history and heritage. You can explore a variety of venues including galleries, museums, a palace and gardens.
Auckland Palace & Gardens:
One of Europe’s best-preserved bishop’s palaces - a place of faith, power and history spanning 1,000 years. Wander restored rooms, from the Throne Room to the Bishop’s Study, and discover its fascinating past.
Mining Art Gallery:
A moving collection of artworks capturing the courage, resilience and everyday lives of coal mining communities in County Durham.
Spanish Gallery:
The UK’s first gallery dedicated to Spain’s Golden Age, showcasing masterpieces by El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán and more - all in a stunning converted Victorian bank.
Faith Museum:
Explore 6,000 years of faith in Britain, through rare objects, personal stories and contemporary commissions.
For any queries about visiting contact The Auckland Project on 01388 743750 or [email protected]
Address: The Auckland Project, Auckland Tower, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7PG. Visit Website