Bishop Auckland

Approximately 12 miles south of Durham, the bustling market town of Bishop Auckland has a population of around 25,000 and thanks to the range of shops, schools, amenities and attractions, it's a popular place to set up home. With the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty a short distance away and Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Newcastle all within commuting distance, this town has plenty to offer a range of buyers.

Living in Bishop Auckland

Great shops and amenities

You’ll find all you need for day-to-day shopping and more along Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street, which is lined with high street stores and independent shops, banks, convenience stores and food outlets. There’s a range of supermarkets, including Morrisons and an Asda superstore, and you can support local businesses by shopping at the twice-weekly market and at the Food Producers’ and Craft Market which takes place on the last Thursday of each month.

Education for all

Families are well catered for in Bishop Auckland, with a selection of schools for children of all ages. There are several primary schools in the town, including Prince Bishops Community Primary School (rated Outstanding by Ofsted), and several more ‘Outstanding’ primary schools in the surrounding villages. There are also three secondary schools – St John’s, Bishop Barrington School and King James I Academy. For further education, there’s Bishop Auckland College.

Enjoy days out

There are plenty of great activities to enjoy in and around Bishop Auckland. The area is home to a number of historic buildings and landmarks such as the beautiful Auckland Castle, where you can tour the grand interiors, art gallery and walled garden. There are great places to eat and drink around the town, as well as places to enjoy the fresh air and to get some exercise. There are also many well-known cycle routes around the area, including the scenic 17-mile Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop.

Stay connected

Bishop Auckland is served by a local bus station with a number of convenient stops around the town, and providing frequent routes to Durham and the surrounding villages. There’s also the train station, which runs direct mainline services to Durham, Middlesbrough, Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees, with onward connections to the rest of the UK. The nearest airport is Durham Tees Valley Airport, just under 17 miles away.