Auckland Castle renamed Auckland Palace in celebration of major redevelopment milestone

6th September 2024

Auckland Castle, the historic residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham and cornerstone of The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland, will now be known as Auckland Palace.

This transition reflects the culmination of the biggest phase of development at this historic site for centuries, and honours its rich heritage as the palatial seat of the Prince Bishops.

In recent years, the site has undergone a significant transformation – from major restoration and conservation work between 2016-2019 to the opening of the Faith Museum in a new extension to the 14th-century Scotland Wing last year. These latest developments have been nationally recognised, with RIBA naming the Palace, Auckland Tower and the Faith Museum amongst the UK’s best new buildings in this year’s RIBA National Awards.

Edward Perry, CEO of The Auckland Project, the charity that cares for Auckland Palace said:

“We’re immensely proud that this magnificent site will finally be known as Auckland Palace, and we are excited for more people to discover the role that Auckland Palace has played in Britain’s history. Where once this was a palace just for the Prince Bishops, now everyone can come to explore the magnificent rooms, wander through the gardens, admire art or attend an event. Who knows what the next 900 years will have in store?”

Throughout its 900-year history, the site has undergone many evolutions. What began as a manor then became a fortified castle in the medieval period. In the late 18th century architect James Wyatt, renowned for his work on Windsor Castle, transformed the site into a grand palace by building a series of State Rooms and enhancing the exterior and grounds. The site started to be referred to as ‘Auckland Palace’ in newspaper reports as far back as the 1800s, although its palatial status was noted in documents even earlier. It took on even greater importance when it became the sole residence of the Bishop of Durham in 1836.

Auckland Palace is one of the best-preserved Bishop’s palaces in Europe. The palace is surrounded by 10-acres of beautifully landscaped historic gardens, originally designed for the Prince Bishops of Durham. The gardens of the Palace have recently been restored, bringing the historic landscapes back to life and introducing new havens like the Faith Garden and the Walled Garden which reopened to the public in May 2024.