We had a little jaunt out for breakfast to Bishop Auckland - its practically on our doorstep and we wanted to look at the viewing tower they have recently opened. Dr Fred went last year with a friend and it was due to be opened the next day so they didn't get to climb it. view from top of tower Bishop Auckland has seen better days - that much is evident as you walk down the high street - so many boarded up shops and the rest just a collection of charity shops and cheap clothes outlets - its a casualty of lost industry, an ex mining town and now there is little left to sustain it. It felt a far cry from the 'bustling market town' advertised on its web site. The old bit of town around the market square is pretty. Old stone buildings leading to the Auckland Castle - the country residence for the prince Bishops for nearly a century - quite what that means in this day and age I'm not sure - need to do some research... many of the buildings around the market s...