9 Great Christmas Gifts for Art and History Lovers Thursday, 15 December 2022
Have an arts and history lover you don't know what to buy for? Or do you just want to support Bishop Auckland? We have collaborated with talented local people to put together the ultimate selection of gifts this Christmas.
When purchasing the items below, you will not only be supporting local businesses, but you will be supporting the regeneration of Bishop Auckland.
Prince Bishop Friend membership
£85 Annual Membership | £120 Joint Annual Membership
What better gift for a history and art lover than unlimited access to The Auckland Project's attractions? The Prince Bishop Friends is our new supporter scheme, with generosity at its heart. Anyone who wishes to support the rejuvenation of Bishop Auckland is invited to join us!
Christmas cards and postcards
Available at Auckland Tower and Auckland Castle gift shops | £3.50
At The Auckland Project, we have stunning cards and postcards made by local Artist, Sue Humphry.
Ditch the supermarket and make your Christmas messages even more special this year!
El Castillo Coffee
Available in grounds and beans in Auckland Tower and Castle gift shops | £5.95
Our selection of tea and coffee gifts for the caffeine lovers in your life.
The El Castillo coffee (named appropriately after our tapas bar in which it is served) is an expertly roasted luxury coffee blend, sustainably sourced from Spanish speaking, South American countries. Made by Lonton coffee in Teesdale.
Auckland Castle tea blend
Available in Auckland Tower and Auckland Castle gift shops | £7.50
Is your loved one not a coffee lover? That's fine, we have our own tea blend too!
Tea enthusiasts, based in Durham, have made an Auckland Castle blend, which you may be familiar with if you frequent Bishop's Kitchen…
Mining Mug
Available in Auckland Tower and Auckland Castle gift shops | £8
We've shown you our tea and coffee, now you need something to put it in!
Our town is steeped in mining history, so it's only fair we have a mug to show that.
This mug is part of the Pitman's Patter range, and is designed using the slang words that the pitman in this area used to use and some of their meanings.
Handmade stockings
Available in Auckland Castle gift shop | Small £12.95 Large £29.95
These stunning stockings are a bespoke collection inspired by fabrics in Zurbaran paintings ‘Jacob and his twelve sons' on display in Auckland Castle.
These treasures are high quality and will keep you company for Christmases to come!
Crafted by Mousira, based in Yarm.
Auckland Castle Christmas Experience
Tickets available online and in Auckland Tower. Price dependent on ticket.
Give the gift of an experience this Christmas! Our Auckland Castle Christmas Experience combines three exhibitions into one traditional Christmas to remember.
Handmade soap
Available in Auckland Tower and Auckland Castle gift shops | £4
Dave's Soap Kitchen, based in Hunwick, started their business in lockdown. Now, they are known for their cold process of making soap which is over 5,000 years old!
Handmade chocolate slabs
Available in Auckland Tower and Auckland Castle gift shops | £4.95
Everyone knows chocolate is the best gift! Our handmade chocolate slabs are made by Durham Chocolate, a small business based in Peterlee. They're cute too!
