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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

Raby Castle
Staindrop
County Durham
DL2 3AH

Tel: +44 1833 660202

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Add Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

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Raby Castle gardens with castle in background
  • Raby Castle gardens with castle in background
  • Ticket office and Vinery Cafe at Raby Castle
  • Aerial View of the Coach House shop at Raby Castle
  • Dutch barn and Riding School buildings at Raby Castle
  • Bedroom at Raby Castle with a four poster bed, settee, table and chairs
  • Large Living Room at Raby Castle
  • An overhead drone shot of the castle and grounds
  • A deer
  • A greenhouse
  • Plotters Forest

About

Raby is without doubt one of the most impressive intact castles in the north of England. Built in the fourteenth century by the powerful Neville family, it has a long history. Home to Cecily Neville, mother of two kings of England, it was also the scene of the plotting of the Rising of the North and a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War. The castle has superb collections, powerful exteriors and fascinating stories from the lives of people who lived and worked here.

Today visitors can experience this incredible medieval fortress, set within the picturesque parklands where both red and fallow deer roam. The elegant leisure destination has recently gone through an incredible restoration project opening up the 18th century Walled Garden which has been recently remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei with Lady Barnard. Together, they have laboured to create a stunning 5-acre vision, including the estate’s well-known yew hedges and the iconic Raby fig.

Families can reap the benefits of outdoor play and connect in the beautiful surroundings at The Plotters’ Forest woodland Adventure playground built within a Christmas tree plantation, where ‘close to nature’ takes on a whole new meaning.

With menus celebrating produce from across the estate, dine in style at The Vinery. A stylish and airy recreation of the historic glass house which once stood on the same location. The Vinery is the most elevated of settings for coffee and cake or a long lunch.

Complete your day with a browse around The Coach House you’ll find a curated selection of homeware and gifts displayed on reclaimed furniture from across the estate. Part of the Grade II* listed building has been repurposed to tell the story of the castle’s history and introduce you to the sights, sounds and magnificent landscapes of the Raby Estate in Teesdale including High Force Waterfall. You may recognise the special voice behind the vision, local Matt Baker MBE.

This is a must-visit destination with so much to do and see in beautiful surroundings.

A Raby Membership offers visitors lots of benefits for a whole year, to find out more, please visit MEMBERSHIPS

Book Tickets

Special Offers

  • Raby Castle Family Explorer Ticket

    A Family Explorer Ticket provides a whole day of fun for the family (2 Adults 2 Children) including entry into…

    The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground
    The Plotters’ Forest is a magical outdoor playground, situated in a Christmas tree plantation and is the perfect place for children and families to reap the benefits of outdoor play. Not only will you enjoy two hours of play, your ticket also includes the Down the Rabbit Hole Trail, search for the missing wonderland objects, ticking them off as you go and don’t forget to look out for the letters hidden in the trees to reveal the secret word.

    Raby Castle
    Join the castle team at 1pm for a Castle Family Explorer Tour, you may become a Raby soldier, explore the terrace or become a land agent and build a railway! Join a Castle Encounters session at 2pm Monday-Friday, you might look at family trees, learn about the conservation of artefacts and much more. We offer a Guided Tour of the castle daily at 2:30pm and currently have a brand-new exhibition ‘The Story of Raby & the Railways’ open daily.

    The Deer Park & Walled Gardens
    Let your little ones run wild in the vast Deer Park and Walled Gardens. Spot magnificent herds of Red and Fallow Deer, swans, ducks and a whole host of wildlife as you stroll through the rolling parkland. Join a Raby Gardener at 12pm for Gardener’s Walk & Talks and 3pm for a Bug Safari and see what you can find hiding in the shadows of the Walled Garden as you uncover the secret life of bugs.

    Adventure in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience
    This summer, we invite you to Adventure in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience, open daily 10am-4pm. Enter the magical world of Alice’s Wonderland in an immersive light experience taking place in the Riding School, the perfect place to shelter from those summer showers or the midday sun. Wander through light tunnels, see the Mad Hatters Tea Party and spot the Queen of Hearts thrown.

    Save £16 with this exclusive offer.

    Please note: The time you select for your tickets is the entry time for The Plotters’ Forest, access to the rest of the site is freeflow between 10am-5pm.

    Take advantage of booking online, in advance to save £4 on your Family Explorer Ticket.

    Attractions and Activities - redeem this special offer between 19/07/2025 and 17/08/2025

    Offer link: Attractions and Activities

Prices

Raby Castle, Deer Park and Gardens Tickets
Adult | £22.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £21.00
Concession (60+) | £21.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £20.00
Children (4–15 years) | £13.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £12.00
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £63.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £62.00
HH Member | Free
Raby Members | Free

The Plotters’ Forest, Deer Park and Gardens Tickets
Adult | £15.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £14.00
Concession (60+) | £14.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £13.00
Children (4–15 years) | £12.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £11.00
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £51.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £50.00
HH Member | £5.00
Raby Members with The Plotters’ Forest | Free
Why not upgrade your tickets and venture inside the magnificent Raby Castle
Adult £7.00 | Concession £7.00 | Children £2.50 | Family £17.00

Deer Park and Gardens Tickets
Adult | £15.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £14.00
Concession (60+) | £14.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £13.00
Children (4–15 years) | £10.50 | Online Pre-booked Price £9.50
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £46.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £45.00
HH Member | Free
Raby Members | Free

To ensure you get the best price, we highly recommend pre-booking online. By booking in advance, you’ll not only save money but also enjoy peace of mind knowing everything is set ready for your visit.
Concession prices apply to over 60s, students with valid student ID and visitors with disabilities.

Video

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Gradings

  • VAQAS VB Attraction VAQAS
VAQAS VB Attraction VAQAS

Awards

  • Visit EnglandVAQAS VAQAS 2021
  • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021
  • Regional and MiscellaneousTrip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023
  • Green AwardsGreen Tourism - Silver Green Tourism - Silver 2024
  • Visit EnglandVisitEngland Best Told Story VisitEngland Best Told Story 2024
  • Regional and MiscellaneousWeardale Visitor Network Member Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.3 of 5 stars
1337 reviews
    • Excellent
      821
    • Very Good
      303
    • Average
      92
    • Poor
      66
    • Terrible
      55

    Recent Reviews:

    • LizoAA
      County Durham, United Kingdom
      Good volunteer guide experience in castle, gardens awful
      3 of 5 stars
      Friday, 25th July 2025
      The volunteer visitor guides are much more discreet than they used to be, so thanks for that. It is now possible to walk around the castle and take in the ambience without being given unwanted... Read full review
    • Jacqui N
      Disappointed in Wonderland
      3 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 27th July 2025
      As always the estate is stunning. The Alice in Wonderland immersive experience was very disappointing and not at all what we expected. Lots of fairy lights a bit of audio and sparse decor. It could... Read full review
    • Paradise792579
      £30 to not even be allowed to visit the garden 🤦
      1 of 5 stars
      Monday, 28th July 2025
      This is my first very bad review! I'm a very positive person and see the light in everything, but damn this was a poor experience. Here goes... We love Alice In Wonderland, and there was an... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Access Statement - Please see below
    • Changing Places Facilities
    • Guide Dogs Permitted
    • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
    • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

    Attraction Facilities

    • Education Groups Min - 16

    Catering

    • On-Site café/restaurant
    • Picnic Site

    Parking & Transport

    • Coach Parking Onsite
    • On site parking
    • Parking (free)

    Provider Facilities

    • Dogs Accepted - In park only on short leads
    • Toilets

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Educational Visits Accepted
    • Guided Tours Available for Groups
    • Guided Tours Available for Individuals

    Travel & Trade

    • Group discounts available

    Access Information

    Visit External Site

    Opening Times

    The Plotters' Forest - Open Weekends and Holiday Periods (1 Jan 2025 - 24 Dec 2025)
    DayTimes
    Saturday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00
    Bank Holiday10:00 - 16:00
    The Deer Park - Open Daily (1 Jan 2025 - 24 Dec 2025)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00
    Bank Holiday10:00 - 16:00
    The Walled Gardens - Open Daily (1 Jan 2025 - 24 Dec 2025)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00
    Bank Holiday10:00 - 16:00
    The Coach House Shop & Exhibition (1 Jan 2025 - 24 Dec 2025)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00
    Bank Holiday10:00 - 17:00
    The Vinery (1 Jan 2025 - 24 Dec 2025)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday10:00 - 16:30
    Bank Holiday10:00 - 16:30
    Raby Castle (1 Mar 2025 - 31 Oct 2025)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday11:00 - 16:00
    Bank Holiday11:00 - 16:00

    * Raby Castle: Open Monday - Sunday - seasonal opening times March to October.
    The Plotters' Forest Adventure Playground: Weekends and Holiday Periods | 10am – 4pm – tickets must be pre-booked, we would recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
    The Vinery Cafe: Daily - October – February 10am – 4.30pm, March – September 10am – 5pm

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabyCastle
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabycastleofficial/

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

    View Map

    Road Directions

    Nearest major road is A1(M). From the A1(M) follow the A66 and then take the A688 Barnard Castle-Bishop Auckland road. The castle is 1 mile north of Staindrop and 8 miles north-east of Barnard Castle.

    Public Transport Directions

    Nearest station is Darlington Station.Nearest bus stop is Keverstone Bank, Raby, near Staindrop.

    Highlights...

    The Vinery Café Restaurant at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens in County DurhamThe Vinery at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, StaindropJoin us for a delicious lunch at The Vinery, where we proudly present handcrafted dishes and treats inspired or sourced from the beautiful Raby Estate.

    The Plotters Forest Outdoor Adventure Playground at Raby Castle The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, StaindropThe Plotters’ Forest is an immersive outdoor playground located in a magical Christmas Tree Plantation at Raby Castle.

    Deer Park Raby CastleThe Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle, StaindropSpend time in nature and watch the seasons change in Raby Castle’s stunning Deer Park and Walled Gardens, which are open to visitors from 10am - 4pm every day.

    The Coach House at Raby Castle, Park and GardensThe Coach House Shop at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, StaindropComplete your day by heading to the Coach House Shop at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. In our beautiful retail space, you’ll find a curated selection of homeware and gifts displayed on reclaimed furniture from across the estate.

    Saturday, 6th December 2025 - Saturday, 6th December 2025

    A willow reindeerFestive Willow Reindeer Workshop at Raby CastleJoin our Festive Willow Reindeer Workshop, hosted in the beautifully restored Riding School at Raby Castle.
    more info

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