Our Collections

From priceless paintings to historic archives, our collections at The Auckland Project help to tell the remarkable story of Bishop Auckland.

You can explore our collections when you visit The Auckland Project, with many unique objects on display across our venues including Auckland Castle, the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery and the Mining Art Gallery.

We are currently digitising our archives and collections to enable researchers and visitors from across the globe to enjoy Bishop Auckland’s many treasures.

The Zurbarán Trust

Our sister charity, the Zurbarán Trust, was established in 2012; it holds a growing collection of paintings, furniture, sculpture, drawings and prints spanning nine centuries. It takes its name from the series of Zurbarán paintings in the Long Dining Room of Auckland Castle.

Collection Highlights

Treasures of the the Zurbarán Trust collection include masterpieces such as El Greco’s Christ on the Cross; the Morton Frontal, an incredibly rare pre-Reformation textile dating from the 15th century; a 1536 copy of William Tyndale’s New Testament; and Murillo’s Holy Face of Christ.

The Gemini Collection

The Gemini Collection of mining art was given to the Zurbarán Trust by Dr Robert McManners and Mrs Gillian Wales, and contains works by artists including Tom McGuinness, Norman Cornish and Bob Olley among others.

Collections on Loan

The Auckland Project is immensely grateful to the many private individuals and public institutions who loan items to our exhibitions, enabling objects of national and international significance to be seen by a wider audience.

Discover

Discover untold stories and hidden histories, brought to life by our curatorial team.

Find out more

The Story of Bishop Auckland

With a glorious past, Bishop Auckland is set for an even brighter future…

Find out more

The Story of the Auckland Project

The regeneration of a town through the arts, culture and heritage...

Find out more

Our Attractions

The Auckland Project is a unique collection of visitor attractions in and around Bishop Auckland. As a regeneration charity, our mission is to create positive change for those living, working in and visiting our town. By visiting our attractions, you are helping us to ensure that Bishop Auckland's future is as vibrant as its past.

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Binchester Roman Fort gives you an insight into what life was like for the Romans in County Durham.

Binchester Roman Fort gives you an insight into what life was like for the Romans in County Durham.

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Walk in the footsteps of the Prince Bishops of Durham, the original ‘Kings of the North’.

Walk in the footsteps of the Prince Bishops of Durham, the original ‘Kings of the North’.

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Travel through time and watch legends come to life.

Travel through time and watch legends come to life.

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Ride the rails of history through beautiful Weardale.

Ride the rails of history through beautiful Weardale.

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An intimate and awe-inspiring collection of mining art.

An intimate and awe-inspiring collection of mining art.

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" ["map_image_url":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["map_description":"Attraction":private]=> string(92) "To understand the story of Britain, we need to understand the impact of faith on its people." ["map_order":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["gallery":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["is_multiple":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["ticket_type":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["alt_location":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["alt_location_link":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["home_grid_image":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["link":"Attraction":private]=> string(52) "https://aucklandproject.org/attraction/faith-museum/" ["external_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["external_admissions_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["admissions_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) }

To understand the story of Britain, we need to understand the impact of faith on its people.

To understand the story of Britain, we need to understand the impact of faith on its people.

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" ["map_image_url":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["map_description":"Attraction":private]=> string(73) "Awaken your senses in the landscaped gardens surrounding Auckland Castle." ["map_order":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["gallery":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["is_multiple":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["ticket_type":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["alt_location":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["alt_location_link":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["home_grid_image":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["link":"Attraction":private]=> string(55) "https://aucklandproject.org/attraction/auckland-garden/" ["external_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["external_admissions_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["admissions_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) }

Awaken your senses in the landscaped gardens surrounding Auckland Castle.

Awaken your senses in the landscaped gardens surrounding Auckland Castle.

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An outdoor adventure awaits in the historic Deer Park.

An outdoor adventure awaits in the historic Deer Park.

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" ["map_image_url":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["map_description":"Attraction":private]=> string(69) "Climb high to see far as you begin your adventure in Bishop Auckland." ["map_order":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["gallery":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["is_multiple":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["ticket_type":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["alt_location":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["alt_location_link":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["home_grid_image":"Attraction":private]=> NULL ["link":"Attraction":private]=> string(54) "https://aucklandproject.org/attraction/auckland-tower/" ["external_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["external_admissions_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) ["admissions_link":"Attraction":private]=> bool(false) }

Climb high to see far as you begin your adventure in Bishop Auckland.

Climb high to see far as you begin your adventure in Bishop Auckland.

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The UK’s first gallery dedicated to the art and culture of the Spanish Golden Age.

The UK’s first gallery dedicated to the art and culture of the Spanish Golden Age.