Auckland Park Pyramid
Obelisk In Bishop Auckland, County Durham
A decorative well head built in the 18th century.
This curious pyramid in Auckland Park, is a fancy well head for the 18th century water supply to Auckland Castle and is still completely intact.
The pyramid is 2 metres high, made with large square-cut stones, some with grooved rustication (or texture to us lay people). Over the centuries, it has been described on maps as a reservoir, a tank and my personal favourite, an eye-catcher. It's position on the horizon would have caught the eye of the Prince Bishops and their visitors as they came to the castle, hence the reason for the ornamental design.
The pyramid is something we've overlooked until recently, as it is well hidden in the depths of Auckland Park. It's simply known as 'monument' on Google maps and we've never spotted it before. It is worth the wander through the park though, which is pretty vast at 120 hectares, and we were greeted by some very friendly horses as we walked up to the pyramid. There are a number of paths through the park and you could spend a good hour or two wandering round.
There's plenty more to see in the park and in Bishop Auckland itself and you'll probably pass Auckland Castle Deer House on the way to the pyramid. In the town you've got plenty to see if you fancy extending your visit.
Get 3 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 22 VIPs.
Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.
How To Find Auckland Park Pyramid
Where Is Auckland Park Pyramid?
Lat / Long
54.672421, -1.658805
What three words
Where To Park For Auckland Park Pyramid?
Lat / Long
54.664821, 54.664821
What three words
There is parking on Kingsway, which is a 25 minute walk away from the pyramid.
Contributed by Sandra Clemens
I love the great outdoors and have been a National Trust & English Heritage member for years. I also love going off the beaten track and finding places like Sharp's Folly or Rothley Castle which are hidden gems in Northumberland. My favourite recent hike was climbing Red Screes in the Lake District on a whim, not fully grasping how high 776m was. It was still an achievement to conquer a Wainwright walk and I hope to do more one day.
More Places from Sandra
More Places In Bishop Auckland
Find more fabulous places in Bishop Auckland, County Durham and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
Groverake Mine
Machinery Bishop Auckland County DurhamThe ruins of an old lead and fluorspar mine in the Pennines with the headframe and some buildings still visible.
Mayland Lea Farm Trig Point
Trig Point Bishop Auckland County DurhamThis is the trig point for Mayland Lea Farm sitting by a wall in a field (305m) near Bishop Auckland.
Low Barnes Nature Reserve
Landscape Bishop Auckland County DurhamA 47 hectare nature reserve near Witton le Wear created on an area of former sand and gravel quarry and sewerage treatment works.
More Obelisks
So this obelisk wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Kirkley Obelisk
Obelisk Ponteland NorthumberlandAn obelisk marking the centenary of the Glorious Revolution by William the Orange.
Seaton Delaval Obelisk
Obelisk Seaton Valley NorthumberlandAn 18m tall Obelisk sitting 900m south of Seaton Delaval Hall.
Richmond Obelisk
Obelisk Richmond North YorkshireAn obelisk standing in Richmond Market Place dating to 1771 with a surprising hidden secret.
Never Miss A Fabulous Place
If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.
Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.
Sign Up To Alerts
Find Us On Facebook
We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.
Join Our Facebook GroupAuckland Park Pyramid was listed in Obelisk // County Durham // Bishop Auckland