Bishop Auckland features in episode six of Neven’s English Food Tour

Neven visits Durham’s historic town of Bishop Auckland where a regeneration programme features the striking Viewing Tower designed by Irish Architect Niall McLaughlin, who also designed the Faith Museum in the grounds of Auckland Palace.

Neven then enjoys delicious Spanish Tapas, and realises his childhood dream of driving a train, before calling into the innovative Faru restaurant in Durham city.

Neven’s first stop is Bishop Auckland, a town with over 2,000 years of history. Bishop Auckland was once a bustling coal mining town, but as the mining stopped the town fell into decline. Today an inspiring regeneration programme ‘The Auckland Project’ is creating exciting new visitor attractions. The regeneration of Bishop Auckland features art galleries, museums, historic buildings, parklands, gardens and even a tapas restaurant. One of the most striking additions to the town centre is the Viewing Tower designed by Irish architect Niall McLaughlin, giving visitors a bird’s eye view. Neven climbs the tower to meet Clare Baron, Head of Exhibitions who introduces him to the Spanish Art Gallery, the UK’s first gallery dedicated to the Golden Age of Spanish art and culture in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Beside the Spanish Gallery is El Castillo, a Spanish tapas restaurant which blends authentic Spanish ingredients with locally sourced produce, including fruit and vegetables from the Auckland Project’s 17th century Palace Garden. Head Chef Sam Wilkinson shows Neven a recipe for Pork and Chicken Paella with Bravas Sauce, made from the Palace Garden’s tomatoes, and a unique addition of pickled carrots, steamed beetroot and roasted red peppers which are also grown there.

Only a short walk from El Castillo is Auckland Palace, a former Bishops’ Palace. An impressive attraction in the palace grounds is the Faith Museum, also designed by Niall McLaughlin and inspired by the 10th century church on St. MacDara’s Island, Connemara. The Faith Museum explores 6,000 years of faith and belief.

The last Bishop of Durham lived in the palace until 2010, and as part of the Auckland Project it has become a major visitor attraction. Neven visits the Long Dining Room where the 18th century bishops entertained on a grand scale eating pineapples and grapes grown in their own glasshouses.

Neven then heads to Stanhope Railway Station to fulfill his childhood dream of driving a train. The Weardale Railway is a recently restored heritage railway, and the Weardale Line dates back to 1847. Neven tries the ‘Driver Experience’ with Wayne Dixon, a railway professional who now volunteers for the Weardale Railway. Neven learns how to drive a 48 tonne Sentinel locomotive powered by a Rolls Royce supercharged engine. He takes the controls for a 6 mile round trip and even masters the challenging manoeuvre of braking and stopping on a railway bridge.

Back in Durham City, Neven calls into contemporary Restaurant Faru, nestled on a cobbled street which winds up to the historic Cathedral. ‘Faru’ is an old English word meaning journey. Head Chef Jake SIddle, shows him two intricate recipes: Halibut with Mussels, Turnip Fondant, Turnip Purée and Champagne Sauce, followed by Pan Fried Duck Breast with Salsify, Braised Duck Leg, Plum Gel, Pickled Plums, and Duck Jus.