The doors of historic Auckland Castle have sprung open for the 2020 season, with lots to do and see. The Castle, with its Deer Park, is the perfect place for families, with something to appeal to everyone.

Keep the kids busy through the Easter holidays with a range of seasonal activities, including face painting, and bunny-ear-making sessions in Auckland Castle’s learning rooms.

The Northern Echo: Easter craft activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland ProjectEaster craft activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland Project

It wouldn’t be Easter without eggs, so follow the Easter trail through the scenic deer park to discover the hidden eggs and claim a yummy chocolate treat from the Castle gift shop at the end.

For budding gardeners, Easter planting sessions offer the chance to create their own biodegradable pot and use it to plant up their favourite herbs. They‘ll be shown how to look after their herbs, which they can take home and watch grow, and will be given a recipe card to turn their herbs into a tasty dish.

The Northern Echo: Easter Planting activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland ProjectEaster Planting activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland Project

All activities take place from Saturday, 4 to Sunday, April 19, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm. Last admission at 3pm.

Face painting and bunny ear craft sessions are included with admission to Auckland Castle. Easter Trails and participation in Easter Planting Sessions are £1 each or included with an Auckland Pass ticket. For more information click here. 

Families visiting Auckland Castle can journey through time and play their way through 1,000 years of history, as animation, sounds and projections bring the stories of the Prince Bishops to life.

The Northern Echo: Sword fighting activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland ProjectSword fighting activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland Project

Bishop Richard Fox, the Tudor Prince Bishop of Durham himself, will be attending on both May Bank Holidays and invites brave boys and girls to train with him.

They can try their hand at sword fighting; let fly at archery; and create their own neck ruff to really get into the role. To top it off, they’ll learn some blistering Tudor insults!

Train Like a Prince Bishop takes place from Friday, 8 May to Sunday, 10 May; and Friday, 23 May to Sunday, 31 May,

Tickets are £1 per child or included with an Auckland Pass ticket.

If they’ve been bitten by the history bug, they can dig deeper by joining the Young Archaeologists Club, which meets on the second Saturday of every month, and explores the history of the local area and the Prince Bishops of Durham.

There is a session for seven to 11-year-olds from 10am to 12pm, and one for 11 to 16-year-olds from 1pm to 3pm. Sessions are £5 each, booking is essential, to book click here.  

The Northern Echo: Afternoon Teas at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland ProjectAfternoon Teas at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland Project

There’s so much more going on throughout the year at Auckland Castle, including scrumptious afternoon teas (fit for a Prince Bishop), the monthly Dining Club as well as exhibitions and talks.

The Auckland Pass ticket is priced at £12.50 per adult and is valid for multiple visits to all Auckland Project sites, including the Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Trevor Gallery and Auckland Tower, until January 2021.

Book your Auckland Pass online at aucklandproject.org, by calling 01388 743 797 or in person at Auckland Tower, Bishop Auckland Market Place.