Image: Throne Room, Auckland Palace (The Auckland Project)
The County Durham location has been given a new name which refers back to its long history
Auckland Castle in County Durham is to be renamed Auckland Palace, in celebration of major redevelopment milestone.
The historic residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham and cornerstone of The Auckland Project – the charity which manages the group of heritage attractions in Bishop Auckland.
The now castle has been renamed to reflect the “culmination of the biggest phase of development at this historic site for centuries, and honours its rich heritage as the palatial seat of the Prince Bishops,” The Auckland Project said.
Beginning as a manor, the site became a fortified castle in the medieval period. In the late 18th century architect James Wyatt, renowned for his work on Windsor Castle, transformed the site into a palace by building a series of State Rooms and enhancing the exterior and grounds.
The site started to be referred to as ‘Auckland Palace’ in newspaper reports as far back as the 1800s, said The Auckland Project, although its palatial status was noted in documents even earlier.
In recent years, the Auckland Project site has undergone major restoration and conservation work which has included the opening of the nearby Faith Museum in a new extension to the 14th-century Scotland Wing last year.
Edward Perry, CEO of The Auckland Project, the charity that cares for Auckland Palace said:
“Where once this was a palace just for the Prince Bishops, now everyone can come to explore the magnificent rooms, wander through the gardens, admire art or attend an event. Who knows what the next 900 years will have in store?”
