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County Durham, one of the most beautiful counties in England. From its western boundary high in the Pennine Hills to the limestone cliffs of its North Sea coast few counties have so much variety. There's a wealth of interesting places to visit with much to surprise and delight and wherever you stay there is an excellent range of accommodation.

The county is also an excellent touring base for nearby Northumbria, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Lake District.

County Durham is the Land of the Prince Bishops.. For centuries the powerful Bishops of Durham ruled the County Palatine as a virtually independent state, they had their own army, nobility, courts and coinage, and they left behind a fascinating legacy which can still be traced today.

Few counties have such variety of landscape as Durham, from the North Pennines in the west to the North Sea Coast in the east, there are pleasures to suit all tastes. At its heart lies Durham City - small enough to enjoy on foot yet so exceptional that its castle and cathedral are designated a World Heritage Site.

Uncrowded roads lead to unspoilt countryside, including some of the highest, wildest and finest scenery in England.. Much of the west of the County, including Teesdale, Weardale and the Derwent Valley, is included in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is perfect country for walking, cycling, riding, wildlife watching and exploring characterful villages and towns. There are many footpaths and bridleways to explore including the Pennine Way National Trail and C2C National Cycle Route. Derwent and other reservoirs offer opportunities for sailing, fishing, canoeing and even water-skiing.

Add a fascinating heritage from Mediaeval castles built to defend the North to the cradle of the world's railways and you have a largely rural county full of interest and attraction. We do hope that you enjoy exploring County Durham and appreciate its many places to visit.

County Durham attractions featured here have undertaken to observe the English Tourism Council's Visitors' Charter..

If you have any comments, favourable or unfavourable, about attractions in County Durham the Northumbria Tourist Board would be pleased to hear from you.

Auckland Castle (also known as Auckland Palace or locally as the Bishop's Castle or Bishop's Palace) is a castle in the town of Bishop Auckland in County Durham, England.

The castle has been the official residence of the Bishop of Durham since 1832. However, it has been owned by the diocese for more than 800 years, being established as a hunting lodge for the Prince Bishops of Durham. It is more like a Gothic country house than a true castle with a military function. The Castle's Scotland Wing presently serves as the administrative offices of the Durham Diocesan Board of Finance.

The castle's long dining room is home to 12 of the 13 17th century portraits of Jacob and his 12 sons painted by Francisco de Zurbarán. In 2001 the Church Commissioners voted to sell the paintings which have a £20m valuation, but relented until a review in 2010.

The castle is surrounded by 800 acres (3.2 km2) of parkland, which was originally used by the Bishops for hunting and is today open to the public. The castle and its grounds contain seven Grade I listed buildings. These include a Deer House within the park which was built in 1760. It is a large stone castellated structure and acts as a shelter for deer. There is a viewing room for people to view the deer.

In around 1183 Bishop Pudsey established a manor house on the site. Bishop Bek, who preferred the town as his main residence over Durham Castle due to its proximity to hunting grounds, later converted the manor house into a castle.

After the dis-establishment of the Church of England, at the end of the first civil war, Auckland Castle was sold to Sir Arthur Hazelrig, who demolished much of the castle, including the chapel, and built a mansion. After the restoration of the monarchy, the new Bishop of Durham, John Cosin, in turn demolished Hazelrig's mansion and rebuilt the castle converting the banqueting hall into the chapel that stands today.