Land of the Prince Bishops Country Durham

LAND OF THE PRINCE BISHOPS

 

17 – 21 July 2025

Thursday - Monday

5 Days

From £719

 

A new tour to County Durham including a visit to Auckland Castle, one of the best-preserved bishops’ palaces in Europe. Learn how County Durham was once ruled by the all-powerful Prince Bishops, who were based here and use your all-access pass to visit the other attractions run by The Auckland Project. The tour also features a ride on the Weardale Heritage Railway, free time in Barnard Castle, the cathedral city of Durham, and a visit to Raby Castle - one of the finest remaining Medieval castles in Britain.

 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Weardale Heritage Railway    |    Durham   |   Raby Castle   |   Bishop Auckland   |   Auckland Project All Access Pass   |    Mining Gallery   |   Faith Museum   |    Spanish Art Gallery   |   Auckland Tower   |   Auckland Castle & Gardens

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to County Durham arriving late afternoon you will have time to relax before dinner this evening.

 

DAY TWO – Auckland Project All Access Pass

After a leisurely breakfast, we make the short journey to Auckland Castle. This proud home of the Bishops of Durham stands as one of the best-preserved Bishops’ Palaces in Europe. Over the last decade, the site has undertaken major renovation work to bring the castle back to its former splendour. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the castle with staterooms designed to tell the history and story of the Bishops’ that lived here. Outside in the grounds, there is a 17th-century walled garden to explore. Produce from the garden is incorporated into the menus at Park Head Hotel.

This afternoon we have included an all-access ticket to The Auckland’s Project’s other attractions in the town centre. You are free at leisure to explore. The Mining Art Gallery provides a truly unique insight into the lives and souls of this area’s coal miners. The Spanish Art Gallery is linked to Auckland Castle’s heritage as home to Francisco de Zurbarán’s series of Spanish paintings for over 250 years. A Faith Museum looks to contemplate the ideas, implications, and impact of faith in Britain. Last but not least, the Auckland Tower provides a 360-degree view of the castle, Bishop Auckland, and the surrounding rural area.

 

DAY THREE – Raby Castle and Weardale Heritage Railway  

After a leisurely breakfast, we journey to Raby Castle - one of the finest Medieval castles to remain in Britain and the resident home of the Vane family since 1626. Afterwards, we make a lunchtime stop in Barnard Castle. In this little charming and historic market town with cobbled streets, you can see where Dickens immortalised ‘Dothboys Hall’, take a look at Cromwell’s refuge, browse around the antique shops, or visit the castle itself, high above the Tees. This afternoon we drive through the Durham Dales to Wolsingham. Here we enjoy a return train ride on the Heritage Weardale Line to Stanhope and take in the beautiful views of the Durham Dales.

 

DAY FOUR – Durham

This morning we drive north to the historic city of Durham with the cobblestone streets winding through the city’s medieval centre - well known for its beautiful cityscape and the magnificent cathedral overlooking the rest of the city and river. Perhaps enjoy a stroll along the riverside and obtain lunch in one of the many cosy city cafes. A must-visit is Durham Cathedral itself with its great architecture and peaceful surroundings.

 

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

• Luxury coach travel

• Home pick-up

• 4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

• Porterage on arrival and departure

• Auckland Project – All access ticket – Auckland Castle and Gardens, Faith Museum, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower, and Spanish Art Gallery

• Raby Castle

• Weardale Railway journey - Return trip Wolsingham to Stanhope.

 

*Please Note:

Auckland Castle, Auckland Tower, Spanish Gallery, and the Mining Art Gallery all have accessible lifts. 

Accessibility inside Raby Castle is limited, due to the historical nature of the building.

 

THE PARK HEAD HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND

The Park Head Hotel is situated just a short drive from Bishop Auckland. The hotel and its 38-  rooms which have recently undergone a full renovation since being taken over by The Auckland Project giving it a modern, stylish and contemporary feel. Facilities include a bar, restaurant, and a communal garden area. All the bedrooms are ensuite with television, telephone, hairdryer, and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel has ground floor rooms available. No Lift.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Auckland Project – All access ticket – Auckland Castle and Gardens, Faith Museum, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower, and Spanish Art Gallery

Raby Castle

Weardale Railway journey - Return trip Wolsingham to Stanhope.

 

*Please Note:

Auckland Castle, Auckland Tower, Spanish Gallery, and the Mining Art Gallery all have accessible lifts. 

Accessibility inside Raby Castle is limited, due to the historical nature of the building.

 

THE PARK HEAD HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND

The Park Head Hotel is situated just a short drive from Bishop Auckland. The hotel and its 38-  rooms which have recently undergone a full renovation since being taken over by The Auckland Project giving it a modern, stylish and contemporary feel. Facilities include a bar, restaurant, and a communal garden area. All the bedrooms are ensuite with television, telephone, hairdryer, and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel has ground floor rooms available. No Lift.

 

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
3-star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Ground floor rooms
Bar	Television	Wheelchair accessible
Restaurant	Wi-Fi all areas
Lounge

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	17 – 21 JUL 2025	THURSDAY	£719	£50 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£27.28

 

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office.  If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

Raby Estates Durham The Aukland Project