Jo’s Monday walk : Auckland Castle

The Deer Lodge

The Deer House

I’ve visited the Deer House and park at Auckland Castle many times, but seldom have I seen it lit by the sun.  I felt especially privileged to have timed my arrival, intending to view the castle, with a glorious, blue-sky, December day.

Known locally as the Bishop’s Palace, Auckland Castle has been a seat of power since the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.  The original building was a manor house or hunting lodge constructed in the late 1100s, but 100 years later it was to become the seat of the Prince Bishops.  The king had granted the Bishop of Durham enormous power.  As the Prince Bishop, it was his job to protect the north east of England from Scottish marauders.  In order to do this, he could raise money from taxes, mint his own coins and lead his own army, so long as he remained loyal to the king.

The then Bishop of Durham, Bishop Beck, established himself at Auckland Castle because he preferred the vast hunting grounds, that went with the estate, to Durham Castle.   Today the park and grounds are open to the public and still retain elements of the Medieval deer park.  Have you ever seen a Deer House?  Well then, let’s go!

We start from the Market Place in Bishop Auckland

We start from the Market Place in Bishop Auckland

Bishop Auckland is a small market town in County Durham, 12 miles south-west of the city of Durham.  It sits at the confluence of the River Wear and its tributary, the River Gaunless.  Entry to the castle grounds is through the 18th century gatehouse, just off the Market Place.

St. Benedict's Gate

The Robinson Clock Tower and Gatehouse

Pass by the castle gates. We'll come back later

Pass by the castle gates.  We’ll come back later!

The Bishop's Stroll

The Bishop’s Stroll

The River Gaunless meanders through the estate, and is crossed by several bridges.  In 1760 the park’s most charming feature was built.  The Gothic Revival style folly was built to provide shelter for the deer and a place for them to be fed.  Guests could watch from a viewing area.  Today sadly there are no deer, but the folly is a romantic backdrop for strolling and picnics.

The path drops away from the castle walls

The path drops away from the castle walls

And suddenly you can glimpse it through the trees

And suddenly you can catch a glimpse, through the trees

Isn't it beautiful?

Isn’t it beautiful?

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Within the grounds there is also an Ice House.  Ever practical, after they’d been hunting, the Bishops needed to keep their meat chilled.  On this occasion I didn’t walk far as I was eager to see inside the castle, but there is a network of paths to enjoy throughout the park.

Trevor’s Bridge
And in profile
The river, from the Deer House

I was particularly keen to see inside the palace.  I knew very little about the contents, but the one thing I did know was that some very special religious artwork resided there.  The 13 paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Zurbaran have hung in Auckland Castle for 250 years.  They were painted between 1640 and 1644 and 12 of them were bought by Bishop Richard Trevor in 1756, for £125.  He was outbid at auction for the thirteenth, but commissioned Arthur Pond to produce an exact copy of ‘Benjamin’.

The paintings hang in the Long Dining Room, which was redesigned specifically to house them. They depict chapter 49 of the Book of Genesis, and represent Jacob’s death-bed blessings to his 12 sons.  Each son would become a founder of the 12 Tribes of Israel, the beginnings of the Jewish faith.  This was a very deliberate act by Bishop Trevor. Religious tolerance, especially towards the Jews, was in short supply in the 18th century.  Displaying the paintings publicly was an appeal by him for greater consideration of our fellow men.

In 2001 the Church Commissioners planned to sell off the artworks, whose estimated value was £20 million.  A staggering £15 million donation from Yorkshireman and investment banker, Jonathan Ruffer, secured their future, and the Auckland Castle Trust came into being.  Exciting plans for the castle are afoot.

Shall we go inside?

Shall we go inside?

Not wishing to tease, but the first place I’m going to take you to is St. Peter’s Chapel.  Widely acknowledged as the largest private chapel in Europe, it started life in the 12th century as the Banqueting Hall, with buttery, wine cellar and minstrel gallery.  The original chapel was demolished following the English Civil War, but when the Prince Bishops were restored to power, Bishop John Cosin set about the rebuild, in 1660.  Isn’t history a roller coaster?

You enter this imposing building
And your eyes are drawn up
To the heraldic shields on the ceiling
And the shadows the light casts on the angels
There are six of them
Stained glass of Benedictine Monks
and Lindisfarne
Beautiful, isn’t it?

From the chapel you enter the castle proper.  This has been decorated for Christmas in the old style, with dried fruits and foliage.  Mounting the stairs to the first floor, my eye is drawn to the lovely view framed in the elegant window. Throughout the house, the views to the parkland and beyond command attention.

The entrance hall

The entrance hall

That beguiling view of parkland
Dried fruit arrangement
Beautifully framed

Something of a surprise next!  The Paradise State Bed, used by the Tudors, and an elaborate and unique piece of 15th century oak carving.  Click on the link for more details.

A surprise bed!

The Throne Room follows, and a feature that made me smile.  The 200 year old windows (designed by James Wyatt) are of very pale green and pink tinted glass, ‘to make the ladies appear less pale in the bright sunlight’.  I’ll just flutter my fan a little!

The view to the lawns

The view to the lawns

The Bishop’s Throne
Can you see the tint?
The grand fireplace and very special tables

The moment has arrived- the Long Dining Room and Zubaran’s paintings.  I cannot pretend to do them justice.  You need to see them yourself.  The links give more detail.

Four of Zubaran's masterpieces

Four of Zubaran’s masterpieces

While I browsed around the room, one of the guides approached with a tray.  Ginger wine with apple juice and warm mince pie (a Medieval recipe) seemed a nice seasonal gesture.

Bishop Trevor’s coat of arms
More Zubaran
And beautiful ceilings!
One last lovely windows shot
And a BIG cake!

IMG_5066

The guide explained that the size of the cake related to power and prestige.  There was obviously no shortage.  I am delighted to have been able to feature Auckland Castle in my Monday walk this week.  I was lucky enough to catch the last weekend of the year and it will now be closed to the public until February.  The grounds are still open if you fancy an invigorating walk meantime, and, of course, there’s a tearoom.

I realise that this post is a little long, but hope that you have enjoyed it, and can find time to check the links to see how special this place is.  I feel sure that it will repay time and investment.

walking logo

It’s my last chance this year to thank everybody for making Jo’s Monday walk a success.  I have had some really wonderful contributions and hope that they will continue next year.  Let’s have one last cuppa and a good read :

With all that was happening in Sydney I was so relieved to find Jude fit and well in the Botanic Gardens :

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Domain, Part 1

While Paula showed me the glory of the Ginkgo tree in Autumn :

Daily walk to Work

Drake always has a sunny disposition, even in the fog!

Foggy, raw- cosiness 

Lovely to have Suzanne join us, with a rather unsettling walk.  Please do welcome her!

The hawk

Amy’s doing a blogging round up of her walks.  There are some real beauties :

A Walk through my Monday Walks

I wasn’t at all familiar with Portsmouth, till Ana took me on a guided walk :

A self-devised and self-guided walk round Portsmouth 

Forest walks are always popular and it’s wonderful to have Indah (and her dog Dante) show us a Rotterdam park. Welcome to the walks, Indah!

Winter walk in Kralingse Forest  

And where better than NYC for a walk at Christmas time?  Thanks, Suze!

New York City- Falling for the High Line

Or for a dash of culture, join Joan, in London  :

A walk at The Wallace

Want to see how they celebrate in Canada?  Then join Colline!

A festive walk

If you’re not too tired (and full!) I hope you manage to get out for a walk over the Christmas period.  I plan to!  Till then, have a wonderful Christmas.

117 comments

    1. The town is actually quite run down apart from the area around the castle, Viv. It’s the same old UK story. They’ve built a retail park out of town so the shoppers go there, and the centre suffers. The Auckland Trust are doing their best to bring money into the town and Ruffer is no fool so it will happen, and I’m glad. 🙂

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    1. It doesn’t have the high profile of many of the stately homes, Andrew, but the Trust are working on that. I don’t think you’d be disappointed. Merry Christmas to you 🙂

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  7. I hope the deer felt mighty special with their deer house! This is another Castle I hadn’t heard of before (and I am sure there are many more).
    I have a much more sedate – and shorter! – walk this week here
    Merry Christmas to you from Canada

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  8. Not from Auckland, but the remainder of our stroll aroundSydney gardens: http://wp.me/p3jVw4-1bs

    I am rather pooped out now Jo, from this extensive tour of Auckland castle. You certainly should be working for the north-east tourist board! You have done your region proud this year with all your interesting, informative and not to mention excellent photographic portrayals. Thank you! Especially as today is the greyest day I have witnessed for a looong time 😦
    Who stole the light?
    Have a good time with the family Jo.
    Jude xx

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    1. Sorry about your grey skies, Jude 😦 They take a little adjusting to, don’t they? We were so lucky with the walk on Friday- it was crystal clear. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen that park in the grey! Still, you’ve got lots of rosy memories and I bet you’re planning for that big one next year 🙂
      It was forecast rain today and I set off for a look at the Christmas deckies in Preston Park Museum (featured earlier this year). Got half way there and realised it’s closed Mondays! 😦 Had a walk along the beach instead then came back to wrap pressies. Sorry the post was so long. I maybe should have done the Castle separately as I still didn’t fit everything in! Ruffer has grand ideas (and money making ones!). He’s trying to tap into some nearby thermal springs to heat the building and there’s a spectacular show planned for sometime next year. It’s all good! 🙂
      Many thanks for letting me bend your ears, Jude. 🙂 And for your beautiful walks. A peaceful merry Christmas to you.

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      1. I always have far too any photos for one post too, which is why I often split posts (like the Botanic Gardens). I still have a few more to tantalise you with from the Antipodes, then I suppose I’ll have to start finding some new walks, though, given my foot problem, they will have to be fairly short ones!

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      2. The foot still bothering you? I wouldn’t mind a limp round the market stalls in Ludlow at Christmas. It won’t matter that it’s grey now it’s dark 🙂

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      3. I think I have worked out that it is Achilles tendonitis – fits the symptoms – and I overdid the walk on Monday because the centre of Sydney was in lock-down. Still paying for it + I whacked my leg against metal stairs on the train in Sydney which hasn’t helped! Foot black until yesterday, but less so now though still very swollen. I guess I shall have to visit the DR but not hopefully for a quick fix 😦

        I’ll see what the market has to offer for you if I can get up there 😉

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      4. Don’t fret, Jude! That doesn’t sound too clever 😦 Ludlow will keep. It must have been horrendous in Sydney that day. Did you manage to meet Mrs. M again?

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  9. An enjoyable walk through this glorious castle. Thank you for taking us there via your beautiful photos, Jo! I’m traveling during this wonderful holidays, will see you next year. 🙂
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Jo!

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  10. Always a pleasure to wake up Monday morning and walk with you.
    In your opening sentence you wrote not having seen the park in sunlight. I think it is interesting how something/someplace or somebody can look different depending on the light or circumstances. It is a reminder to take another look around and get the best view. 🙂
    Your views are always the best. 🙂

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    1. I’ve done this walk with my walking group a couple of times, Esther, and it’s always been a grey day. I had so many surly looking shots of the Deer House. I’m happy now! And being inside the Castle made me ecstatic. Thanks, hon, and merry Christmas! 🙂

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  11. some cake that is – the fondant is so smooth – the Cake Boss guy from NY would be proud! and I also loved the ceilings and the outside and inside tour restless one – and my fav of the post the one titled:
    “The path drops away from the castle walls”
    because the light beaming through had an aura that matched the feel of this old and majestic place. so nice – and now I am going to look at a few more pics again….
    ❤

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    1. Yvette, you’re a star! You add so much to the blogosphere 🙂 Thank you for all your enthusiasm and the constant source of entertainment. A beautiful Christmas to you! 🙂

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      1. wellt hanks for saying that restless one – and I also think you add much to the blog world too – and I think I have said this before – but I love how you open your arms to new bloggers – and when you first embarked my last Feb ( I think it was Feb) well I remember thinking you had such an enormous blog following and wondered how you could be still inclusive – but that is you – you share your posts but then visit and give back – and even sometimes I noticed that you assess if your feedback is “varied” enough – and to that I say you just keep being you and keep letting it flow – as you go – cause that is restless Jo – that is how she rolls – (okay cheesy – I know -) have a good holiday amiga – and thanks for being my blog friend in 2014!

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  19. Looks straight out of a fairy tale….cake and all! That Paradise State Bed grabs my attention of all the opulent interior detail’s. And the fabulous light in your photos. Thanks for the tour Jo. A wonderful Christmas to you too 🙂

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    1. Hi Madhu! Are you all set for Christmas? In asking that, I’m not sure what kind of a celebration you might have? Blessings of the season to you and your family 🙂
      Yes, the bed was extraordinary! I did ask Mick why ours wasn’t like that 🙂

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      1. Ha, he just might surprise you with one for Christmas!! 😀

        Christmas celebrations aren’t very big in Chennai Jo. My hometown had a sizable Christian population though and I miss the fun times at my friends homes.

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