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.
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 square are attached the castle there is a massive refurbishment going on to hold a Spanish museum, apparently relevant as there is a large amount of Spanish history and connections with the castle.
Meanwhile there is the tower .... It wasn't what I was expecting - disappointing to say the least, its a classic example of modern architecture blighting the landscape - so incredibly ugly, at first glance it really is an eyesore, and really it doesn't improve with further investigation. Its saving grace is, other then the amazing views (especially on the glorious day we were there) are the lovely helpful staff who take time to explain the concept behind the tower which puts its modern day design into a modicum of perspective. The style of the building is based on a siege tower - the people of Bishop Auckland have always felt estranged from the Castle and by positioning this tower at the gates its meant to represent that separation.
The tower itself is built from wood and glass and it ironic that the wood is painted white and has the appearance of concrete and once up the tower the top but is actually concrete fashioned to look like wood!!!
The space inside the tower is done out quite nicely, lovely painted ceiling, but is crying out for exhibitions - something local and relevant would add interest. Once climbed the views are great and a reminder of how lovely the surrounding countryside is.
The very best thing about the tower experience is that entry to it invites you also to visit the Mining Art Gallery - a space I had noticed with little interest as we walked through the square. I'm very glad we had our attention brought to it as it was an extremely interesting place to visit.
Actually it was more then that - it was an excellent collection of art works either about mining or by miners the space is well laid out and with every painting or sculpture there was a lot of information given. It was very atmospheric and quite emotive, I do find it difficult to understand the barbaric conditions we expected humans to work under! We were lucky to catch a visiting exhibition by Norman Cornish called 'A Slice Of Life' a wonderful documentation of life in a mining community.
 |
| 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 square are attached the castle there is a massive refurbishment going on to hold a Spanish museum, apparently relevant as there is a large amount of Spanish history and connections with the castle.
 |
| the white is wood - and the wood look is concrete!! (note stunning blue skies) |
The tower itself is built from wood and glass and it ironic that the wood is painted white and has the appearance of concrete and once up the tower the top but is actually concrete fashioned to look like wood!!!
 |
| nice painting ceiling |
The space inside the tower is done out quite nicely, lovely painted ceiling, but is crying out for exhibitions - something local and relevant would add interest. Once climbed the views are great and a reminder of how lovely the surrounding countryside is.
The very best thing about the tower experience is that entry to it invites you also to visit the Mining Art Gallery - a space I had noticed with little interest as we walked through the square. I'm very glad we had our attention brought to it as it was an extremely interesting place to visit.
Actually it was more then that - it was an excellent collection of art works either about mining or by miners the space is well laid out and with every painting or sculpture there was a lot of information given. It was very atmospheric and quite emotive, I do find it difficult to understand the barbaric conditions we expected humans to work under! We were lucky to catch a visiting exhibition by Norman Cornish called 'A Slice Of Life' a wonderful documentation of life in a mining community.
Comments
Post a Comment