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Auckland Castle

Wedding Venues in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Auckland Castle
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 7NR

01388 601 627
07787 130 761

Contact by E-mail

Business description

Auckland Castle
This splendid Castle, official home to the Bishop of Durham, is now also one of the most prestigious wedding venues in the North East. With a focus on quality food and inventive menus, it is renowned for excellent cuisine, dedicated service and individual attention.

Auckland Castle is favoured by couples looking for exclusive hire of a venue for their wedding day. Within private grounds overlooking the Wear Valley, this is a tranquil yet accessible location. With on-site parking and a short taxi ride from hotels, airport and train station, it is conveniently situated for guests.

Whatever the season unique surroundings provide the perfect setting for a wedding reception, and a wonderful backdrop for photographs. Though the summer months remain popular, Auckland Castle plays host to an increasing number of autumn and winter weddings. Taking on a fairytale atmosphere in later seasons with golden leaves and crisp snow, brides are realising the pleasures of relaxing with a glass of champagne or mulled wine by an open fire.

Wedding Ceremony
St Peter’s Chapel, originally built in the 12th century as the great banqueting hall, is now one of the finest privately owned chapels in Europe. You can enjoy walking down the aisle lined with flickering candles, with the dramatic sounds of the organ filling the rafters.

To discuss eligibility please contact The Diocesan Registrar (01388 450576) who will be pleased to advise you. At a later date you will be given contact details for a vicar to discuss the finer points of the service. The opportunity exists for the blessing of marriages, which have already been conducted by civil licence, although we do not conduct civil services at the Castle.

The Staterooms
For your wedding breakfast, the sensitively restored Staterooms are the personification of elegance. Seating up to 120 guests, the Throne Room is adorned with portraits of Prince Bishops through the centuries, complete with the original Bishop’s throne, and an outstanding view of the grounds. The adjoining Long Dining Room, housing a famous collection of Zurbaran paintings, is a beautiful place to have coffee after the meal, and a stunning backdrop for up to 60 guests seated for a more intimate meal. For numbers of up to 180, your guests can enjoy dining across both spaces.

Marquee
During the summer months a marquee is situated within the secluded Walled Garden for those who wish to conclude their celebration in a less formal setting. For larger weddings, the Castle itself can be used for a drinks reception followed by the wedding breakfast in a marquee on the ‘Bowling Green’, price on application.

Room Hire
The facility fee for the exclusive hire of St Peter’s Chapel and staterooms for your wedding day is £2,900. This price covers the hire of these rooms between 11.30am and 12 – midnight, organist and statutory fees and car park attendant. These costs relate to weddings held in 2008 only.

Numbers
The Castle facilities are offered for exclusive use to each client, therefore you would not be sharing the venue with other, or even corporate delegates. With this in mind, please note that on Fridays & Saturdays payment is required for a minimum number of 80 people to the Wedding Breakfast.