Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Auckland Castle Park North (assessed as Auckland Estate)

Auckland Castle Park North (assessed as Auckland Estate)

Grid Reference NZ 216307 Date October 2017 Author Fiona Green

Planning Status Not previously identified in a local plan as Historic Park and Garden Not within Conservation Area

Site Designations Park Head Farm Cattle Shelter in Auckland Park Grade II List Entry No:385627 Park Head Farmhouse Grade II List Entry No: 385622 Pate Gates and Screen Walls to Park Head Farm Grade II List Entry No: 385628 Well Head in High Park Grade II List Entry No: 385615

History Auckland Park is included in the Historic Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. List Entry No. 1000727 Grade II*. However, the boundary of the designed parkland clearly extends beyond the area shown in the register description and this report provides additional information in order to discuss whether the boundary may be extended. Trevor (1752-1771) commissioned Trevor’s Bridge in 1757 which takes the main approach from Park Head to the Castle across the river Gaunless (Grade II). Bishop Egerton (1771-1787) commissioned an estate plan by Jeremiah Dixon dated 1772 (Auckland Castle Archive). The plan provides the first detailed view of the park and records improvements made by Bishop Trevor. The plan shows avenues, semi-natural woodland, clumps, boundary planting, belts and rides and includes Park Head and Road Field which accommodated Bishop Trevor's approach to Auckland Castle. Bishop Egerton extended the park wall, he also improved the land drainage and established plantations. Bishop (1734-1826) employed James Wyatt to make improvements to the route from into the castle and state rooms. The processional route from Park Head to the castle was further improved by him during the late 18th century.

Description The earliest known map of c.1569 ( Library Special Collections) shows Auckland Park paled, whether this depiction actually extended across the study area is unclear. Armstrong's Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Auckland Castle Park North (assessed as Auckland Estate)

depiction of the park in 1769 shows Park Head outside the paling. However Dixon's 1772 plan and Greenwood's 1820 map of County Durham shows the study area within the boundary of the parkland. Greenwood's plan is schematic but the 1869 OS clearly indicates features in the study area. Park Head is located in the north east corner of the park flanked by woodland belts to the north and south. The park is shown with a scatter of single trees and clumps on either side of the approach to Middle Lodge. The southern section of the park is divided into fields whereas the northern half is open. The well head (Grade II) also acts as an eye catcher from a ride to the south (within the registered parkland). The 1898 OS shows the introduction of the Bishop Auckland and Ferryhill Branch Railway which crosses the study area.

Recommendation Add to list of Parks Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest

Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Auckland Castle Park North (assessed as Auckland Estate)

Significance Factor Commentary Interest Local Regional National International Age Post Medieval 1541 -1900 Y

Aesthetic Value Of National Interest Y

Landscape or Horticultural Ceremonial approach to Auckland Castle Parkland laid out Y Interest by Bishop Trevor c.1757

Designer N/A N

Group Value Auckland Castle. Y

Rarity Park to Episcopal Palace Y

Historic Interest Bishopric of Durham Y

Historical Association Bishop Trevor, Bishop Egerton, Auckland Castle. Y

Social and Communal Value PROWs Y

Evidential Value High Y

Overall significance The study area constitutes the wider setting to Auckland Y Castle. This component of designed parkland forms a setting to the ceremonial entrance from Park Head (Grade II) taking the approach to Auckland Castle and includes open groups of trees, shelter belts, ancient hawthorns and a feature well head. The designed landscape within the proposed extension to the HE register boundary and is likely to be national historic interest.

Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Auckland Castle Park North (assessed as Auckland Estate)

Background Information

Location, Area, Boundaries, Landform, Setting

Entrances and approaches Entrance from Park Head gates and screen walls. Grade II.

Principal Buildings Park Head Farm Cattle Shelter in Auckland Park Grade II Park Head Farmhouse Grade II Pate Gates and Screen Walls to Park Head Farm Grade II

Park 18th century parkland including feature pyramidal well head (Grade II)

Other Land Auckland Castle: Grade I. List Entry No : 1196444 Chapel of St. Peter at Auckland Castle Grade I List Entry No: 1196446

Auckland Castle Entrance Gateway. Grade I. List Entry No : 1297645 Deer Shelter in Auckland Castle Deer Park Grade not currently available (2017) List Entry No : 1011641 Deer Shelter in Auckland Castle Park Grade I List Entry No : 1297608 Garden and Drive Walls and Railings South of Auckland Castle Drive Grade II List Entry No: 1297647 Screen Wall and Garden Walls to South and East of Auckland Castle Grade I List Entry No: 1196448 Milestone on Castle Drive at NZ 222310 Grade II List Entry No: 1208844 Drive Bridge over Coundon Burn Grade II List Entry No: 1292957 Drive Bridge over River Gaunless Grade II List Entry No: 1196449 Footbridge over Coundon Burn Grade II List Entry No: 1297609 Footbridge over Coundon Burn Grade II List Entry Number: 1292964 Jock's Bridge over Rive Gaunless Near Confluence with Grade II List Entry No: 1208804 Ice House to South of Coundon Burn Grade II List Entry No: 1196451 References Durham University Library and Special Collections - Map of County Durham Ye Bishoprick 1569

The county palatine of Durham survey'd by Capt. Armstrong and engraved by Thomas Jefferys geographer to his Majesty. MDCCLXVIII Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Auckland Castle Park North (assessed as Auckland Estate)

Map of the county palatine of Durham, from actual survey made in the years 1818 &1819 by C. Greenwood. Dedicated to the nobility, clergy & Accounts for the park (DUL AUC/1/Box 31). (DUL CCB MIP 92 /7479). Published Sources Boldron Buke survey of 1183 (Raine 1852). Raine Rev. J (1852) A Brief Historical Account of the Episcopal Castle, or Palace of Auckland. Hutchinson (1794) The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham V3 Leland J (1993 ed)Itinerary Camden W (1701 ed) Camden’s Britannia abridged with Improvements and Continuations Horsely J (1732) Britannia Romana, Hutchinson (1794) History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham Historic Landscape Designed parkland Characterisation

Further Research Not required as part of this review