Auckland Palace sits in 150 acres of historic parkland, established over 800 years ago by the Prince Bishops of Durham: the park would have provided sport in the form of deer hunting, fish from the River Gaunless, as well as timber and firewood. Features and monuments reveal glimpses of history: the fine, gothic Deer House, built to shelter deer and entertain guests, and the Ice House which would have kept drinks and deserts chilled on hot days.

The Deer Park today is a place for for everyone to enjoy right through the year. It is home to ancient and veteran trees including Oak, Beech, Elm, Sweet Chestnut and Scots Pine. Otters and Kingfishers can be spotted along the Coundon Burn and River Gaunless. The huge population of Yellow Ants support colonies of rare meadow flowers, and provide food for Green Woodpeckers (they have also created such a huge complex of anthills that they can be seen on Google Earth).

The Auckland Project cares for and conseves the Deer Park via a landscape management plan which respects its history and ecology. As a charity The Auckland Project relies on charitable funds to undertake this work.