Visitors are being given the chance to go behind closed doors at a historic County Durham castle.
From May Bank Holiday weekend, (May 27 and 28), Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland will be hosting free Behind the Scenes Tours every Saturday and Sunday, as it prepares for one of the most exciting chapters in its 900-year history.
The Castle, once a private palace for the Prince Bishops of Durham, closed to the public in September 2016 and has now been completely cleared to allow work to begin on a multi-million pound restoration scheme.
The Behind the Scenes Tours, run by a team of specially trained volunteers, will give visitors a rare opportunity to take a sneak peek inside ahead of the Castle’s grand reopening in May 2018.
Those taking part will be able to learn more about the heritage of this prestigious property, as well as the restoration work due to take place over the next 12 months to return the currently bare rooms to their original Georgian Gothic opulence.
Separate tours will also be taking place around the Castle’s landmark St Peter’s Chapel. Originally a 12th century Great Hall, the chapel is now believed to be one of the largest private chapels in Europe and is still used by the current Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler. The Chapel Tours will explore the history of the chapel, including stories about the bishops and the Northern Saints, who are all depicted in a series of stained glass windows.
Hannah Peaden, Head of Visitor Experience at Auckland Castle Trust said: “The Behind the Scenes and Chapel Tours are a fantastic chance for visitors to step inside Auckland Castle before the restoration work gets underway in earnest.
“Those taking part will have a unique opportunity to see the Castle in its raw state and gain a greater understanding of the work required to transform it again before we fully reopen to the public in May 2018.”
The restoration of Auckland Castle, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is part of Auckland Castle Trust’s wider £70 million programme designed to revitalise Bishop Auckland, which also includes the Mining Art Gallery, Spanish Gallery and Faith Museum.
These developments, alongside Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, by Auckland Castle Trust’s sister charity Eleven Arches and other attractions, look set to attract more than 430,000 visitors to Bishop Auckland and inject £20 million into the local economy every year by 2020.
Auckland Castle’s free Behind the Scenes and Chapel Tours will begin on May 27 and 28 and will run until the Castle reopens in May 2018.
Spaces are limited and places can be booked by emailing bookings@aucklandcastle.org or call 01388 743797.
Further details about the restoration of Auckland Castle and the Trust’s Future Plans can be found atwww.aucklandcastle.org