Coal deposits had been known about since the 12th Century and the Bishop of Durham’s land had the rights to all the minerals. As the Industrial Revolution took place around coal, engineering and railways, Bishop Auckland had it all. The Bishop of Durham had a major expansion of wealth as coal stoked the fires of the Industrial Revolution.
With the rapid development of industry, the building of the railways and expansion of coal mining in the 19th century, Bishop Auckland developed as an industrial town, with extensive construction and expansion. Several coal mines developed during the 19th Century. Some continued for many years. For example, Newton Cap Colliery – near Bishop Auckland – was opened in 1859 and closed in 1967.
Durham Coalfield itself was extensive and had around 200 coal mines across the County at the height of the
Industrial Revolution.
Coal deposits had been known about since the 12th Century and the Bishop of Durham’s land had the rights to all the minerals. As the Industrial Revolution took place around coal, engineering and railways, Bishop Auckland had it all. The Bishop of Durham had a major expansion of wealth as coal stoked the fires of the Industrial Revolution.
With the rapid development of industry, the building of the railways and expansion of coal mining in the 19th century, Bishop Auckland developed as an industrial town, with extensive construction and expansion. Several coal mines developed during the 19th Century. Some continued for many years. For example, Newton Cap Colliery – near Bishop Auckland – was opened in 1859 and closed in 1967.
Durham Coalfield itself was extensive and had around 200 coal mines across the County at the height of the Industrial Revolution.
The development of the railways was central to the holding of an Annual Flower Show, held within the Auckland Castle grounds during the mid-19th Century. At its height, around 30,000 people came to the agricultural and flower show. Unfortunately after a few years of repeated bad weather and financial losses, this annual event was stopped.
As with other industrial centres of the time, industrial development had both positive and negative effects, with the positive expansion of the town with new buildings and new facilities, but with also a rapid expansion in population and resultant problems of overcrowding. During this time, many churches were built and Methodism grow in the area, as well as the Catholic Church and Church of England.
By the end of the 19th century, commercial and retail development had extended down Newgate Street, linking with the railway station and railway goods yard.
The development of the railways was central to the holding of an Annual Flower Show, held within the Auckland Castle grounds during the mid-19th Century. At its height, around 30,000 people came to the agricultural and flower show. Unfortunately after a few years of repeated bad weather and financial losses, this annual event was stopped.
As with other industrial centres of the time, industrial development had both positive and negative effects, with the positive expansion of the town with new buildings and new facilities, but with also a rapid expansion in population and resultant problems of overcrowding. During this time, many churches were built and Methodism grow in the area, as well as the Catholic Church and Church of England.
By the end of the 19th century, commercial and retail development had extended down Newgate Street, linking with the railway station and railway goods yard.
Bishop Auckland became a hub of industry and transport and during this time, the area became fully industrialised and was attracting labourers and their families, many from Scotland and Ireland.
Reflecting the increased wealth of the town, several large public building works were carried out during the 19th century within Bishop Auckland.
This is best reflected in the rebuilding of St Anne’s in 1846, the construction of the Town Hall in 1861, both by public subscription, and the construction of the Newton Cap Viaduct in 1857.
In the centre of Bishop Auckland’s historic Market Place, is the Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Designed by John Philpott Jones the building was completed in 1862 and is a “Gothic style” Victorian Building.
Bishop Auckland became a hub of industry and transport and during this time, the area became fully industrialised and was attracting labourers and their families, many from Scotland and Ireland.
Reflecting the increased wealth of the town, several large public building works were carried out during the 19th century within Bishop Auckland.
This is best reflected in the rebuilding of St Anne’s in 1846, the construction of the Town Hall in 1861, both by public subscription, and the construction of the Newton Cap Viaduct in 1857.
In the centre of Bishop Auckland’s historic Market Place, is the Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Designed by John Philpott Jones the building was completed in 1862 and is a “Gothic style” Victorian Building.
The Town Hall is a Grade II listed building and has a theatre, gallery, cinema, library, visitor information point and a coffee shop/bar. It offers a full programme of events throughout the year with productions for all ages and interests, featuring live theatre and musical performances, film shows, exhibitions, workshops and much more.
Other building works included the rebuilding of the Beadhouses behind St Anne’s Church and the construction of fine commercial buildings on the Market Place. What was Barclay’s Bank and the old Barrington School have now been incorporated into the Spanish Gallery. The Old Bank Chambers now house the Mining Art Gallery.
Industrial expansion during the 19th century effectively transformed the township of Bishop Auckland into what we see today. These substantial building projects changed the centre of the town, transformed the Market Place and altered street layout and relationships with the installation and extension of the railway.
Bishop Auckland came into its own with football. Theological students from Oxford and Cambridge – studying at Auckland Castle – formed the Bishop Auckland Church Institute in 1882. Unfortunately, a dispute within the Football Association (FA) Cup led to the formation of a breakaway Team called Auckland Town in the 1886/87 season. This upheaval led to the Bishop Auckland Football Club that remains to this day.
Auckland Town were founder members of the Northern League in 1889 but left after its first season before returning as Bishop Auckland in 1893.
The Town Hall is a Grade II listed building and has a theatre, gallery, cinema, library, visitor information point and a coffee shop/bar. It offers a full programme of events throughout the year with productions for all ages and interests, featuring live theatre and musical performances, film shows, exhibitions, workshops and much more.
Other building works included the rebuilding of the Beadhouses behind St Anne’s Church and the construction of fine commercial buildings on the Market Place. What was Barclay’s Bank and the old Barrington School have now been incorporated into the Spanish Gallery. The Old Bank Chambers now house the Mining Art Gallery.
Industrial expansion during the 19th century effectively transformed the township of Bishop Auckland into what we see today. These substantial building projects changed the centre of the town, transformed the Market Place and altered street layout and relationships with the installation and extension of the railway.
The 19th century also saw a proliferation in the construction and renovation of church buildings throughout the town, including the Wesleyan Chapel in Back Bondgate that was constructed in 1866 (now demolished).
Around 1890, golf was played in the outer Bishop’s park by theological students training at the Castle. No doubt they lacked the expertise to improve the ground and simply played over it in its natural state, but they are the first evidence that golf fever had reached Bishop Auckland and they paved the way for the development of a proper course and the Golf Club was formed in 1894.
The Golf Club bought some equipment from the Cricket Club, which itself had been established in 1853.
Bishop Auckland came into its own with football. Theological students from Oxford and Cambridge – studying at Auckland Castle – formed the Bishop Auckland Church Institute in 1882. Unfortunately, a dispute within the Football Association (FA) Cup led to the formation of a breakaway Team called Auckland Town in the 1886/87 season. This upheaval led to the Bishop Auckland Football Club that remains to this day.
Much of the future prosperity of the town was due to it being the centre of a rail transportation network of seven lines.
The 19th century also saw a proliferation in the construction and renovation of church buildings throughout the town, including the Wesleyan Chapel in Back Bondgate that was constructed in 1866 (now demolished).
Around 1890, golf was played in the outer Bishop’s park by theological students training at the Castle. No doubt they lacked the expertise to improve the ground and simply played over it in its natural state, but they are the first evidence that golf fever had reached Bishop Auckland and they paved the way for the development of a proper course and the Golf Club was formed in 1894.
The Golf Club bought some equipment from the Cricket Club, which itself had been established in 1853.
Bishop Auckland came into its own with football. Theological students from Oxford and Cambridge – studying at Auckland Castle – formed the Bishop Auckland Church Institute in 1882. Unfortunately, a dispute within the Football Association (FA) Cup led to the formation of a breakaway Team called Auckland Town in the 1886/87 season. This upheaval led to the Bishop Auckland Football Club that remains to this day.
Much of the future prosperity of the town was due to it being the centre of a rail transportation network of seven lines.