Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is becoming a must-visit year-round destination for groups thanks to The Auckland Project, a unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries and gardens centred around Auckland Palace. Catherine Hodgson, head of marketing and communications, explains how it can offer a memorable group visit at Christmas.
What can you tell us about The Auckland Project?
There’s nowhere quite like The Auckland Project. Over the last few years, we have developed an astonishing collection of attractions in the historic town of Bishop Auckland inspired by the magnificent Auckland Palace, one of the best-preserved bishop’s palaces in Europe.
Once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham, Auckland Palace has a rich history dating back almost 1,000 years. Today groups can walk in the footsteps of the bishops at Auckland Palace and explore ten-acres of landscaped gardens, two art galleries and England’s only Faith Museum. We even operate our own heritage railway!
Together our attractions offer groups the ideal blend of art, history and nature with plenty of unique and memorable events to enjoy in Bishop Auckland throughout the year, from Kynren in the summer months to our spectacular new Christmas events.
Why should groups visit Bishop Auckland this Christmas?
Bishop Auckland is already famous as the home of Kynren, the amazing live outdoor action show which takes place here every summer, but there are so many other things to see and do in this historic town throughout the year.
Groups visiting Bishop Auckland this Christmas can expect a festive experience like no other thanks to two incredible events organised by The Auckland Project. Our dazzling 1.5-mile light trail AGLOW is back, taking visitors on a magical journey through the gardens and grounds of Auckland Palace, and this year the interior of Auckland Palace will be transformed too, with stunning Christmas decorations in every room.
What are you most looking forward to about Christmas at The Auckland Project this year?
I’m very much looking forward to Christmas at the Palace, our new Christmas extravaganza inside Auckland Palace itself. Each room will be adorned and festooned with elaborate and opulent Christmas decorations to delight and surprise our visitors. Combined with the return of our popular light trail AGLOW, this year really will be a Christmas to remember at The Auckland Project.
The dazzling 1.5-mile light trail AGLOW is back, taking visitors on a magical journey through the gardens and grounds of Auckland Palace.
It has already been named as one of the best light trails in the country, and this year it will be even bigger and better than before!
AGLOW is one of the UK’s newest light trails and has 20 mesmerising light installations for groups to enjoy.
What makes AGLOW stand out from other light trails?
AGLOW is one of the UK’s newest light trails, following its launch in November 2023. It features the longest light-tunnel in the country, the tallest Christmas Tree in the North of England, and 20 mesmerising light installations, including a Son et Lumiere on the façade of Auckland Palace. It has already been named as one of the best light trails in the country, and this year it will be even bigger and better than before!
What unique experiences can groups expect at The Auckland Project this Christmas?
The most unique element of Christmas at the Palace has to be our monumental 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity, which really does have to be seen to be believed. Measuring a remarkable 11ft tall and 15ft wide, it is one of the most impressive and important examples outside Italy and brings together classical and Christian mythology with the traditional folk culture of everyday Naples. It will take our curatorial team over one week to position the 421 individual items which make up the full nativity scene.
What benefits can groups enjoy when visiting The Auckland Project?
We offer specially tailored group packages to make every visit to The Auckland Project truly memorable, including Christmas packages. Optional extras including refreshments and guided tours can be added to any itinerary, and all groups of ten people or more can benefit from savings of up to 15%. Complimentary driver tickets and driver refreshments are provided per coach or minibus, and our dedicated Group Visits team offer a seamless planning service and warm ‘Meet and Greet’ service upon arrival. Bishop Auckland was also awarded a Coach-Friendly accreditation this summer, so you can be assured of a smooth visit from start to finish.
We offer specially tailored group packages to make every visit to The Auckland Project truly memorable, including Christmas packages.
Catherine Hodgson, The Auckland Project
Do you welcome group organisers for familiarisation visits?
A. Absolutely! We offer complimentary familiarisation visits to our attractions for group tour organisers and Blue Badge Guides, and this year we are including AGLOW and Christmas at the Palace as part of this offer too. For those travelling from further afield, Park Head Hotel, also part of The Auckland Project, is offering a special two-night dinner, bed and breakfast rate of £199 per night for familiarisation visits. Park Head Hotel is group-friendly and the ideal base for groups who want to experience everything Bishop Auckland and County Durham have to offer.
To book your Christmas familiarisation visit, simply email groups@aucklandproject.org and we can arrange your tickets and accommodation for you.
Are you accepting bookings for Christmas 2025?
We are already taking bookings for group visits next year. AGLOW, Christmas at the Palace and our monumental Nativity scene will all be returning for Christmas 2025, creating a truly unique and memorable Christmas experience like no other. We hope to see you there!
Find out more:
- groups@aucklandproject.org
- www.aucklandproject.org
