Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

About

Raby is without doubt one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England. Built in the 14th 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.

Explore the picturesque parkland surrounding Raby Castle, with 200 acres to explore and a range of wildlife on our doorstep, there is plenty to see and do across Raby Park. Discover our walking routes and meet our herds of red and fallow deer.

Nestled in the castle grounds the historic 18th century Walled Garden has been remodelled by world-renowned designer Luciano Giubbilei alongside Lady Barnard. They have created a stunning five-acre romantic scheme to celebrate the Walled Garden's existing features, including the famous sculptural yew hedges. The Walled Garden comprises the East, Formal and West Gardens as well as a new grass amphitheatre set in the lower part of the East Garden and will host a programme of outdoor productions.

Discover a hideaway playground at The Plotters' Forest, built within a Christmas tree plantation, where 'close to nature' takes on a whole new meaning. It is the perfect place to reap the benefits of outdoor play for children using a range of interactive games. Enter through the towering gateway and disappear into the dense woodland playground. Explore ground-level forest trails, then climb to high walkways and towers.

Join us for a delicious lunch at The Vinery, where we proudly present handcrafted dishes and treats inspired or sourced from the beautiful Raby Estate. From freshly baked pastries to savoury snacks and refreshing salads, each creation reflects the natural abundance of colour and vibrancy of our surroundings. With space for over 200 diners there is no need to book to enjoy the panoramic views across the High Vinery Garden and Raby Castle beyond.

The magnificent Grade II* listed the Coach House, designed by renowned architect John Carr in the 18th century now offers a free-to-enter exhibition. Showcasing Raby Estate’s rich past, the exhibition gives visitors a taste of what is to come when venturing into the historic castle, surrounding parklands and wider areas of the Estate. The centrepiece of this exciting exhibition will be an audio-visual projection onto a bespoke carved oak eight metre table which highlights iconic landmarks such as High Force Waterfall, as well as the sights and sounds of the local area and wildlife

Complete your day by heading to the Coach House Shop. In our beautiful retail space, you’ll find a curated selection of homeware and gifts displayed on reclaimed furniture from across the estate. Our philosophy at Raby is local wherever possible, and here in the Coach House you’ll discover the kind of high-quality, artisan items you can’t shop anywhere else.

We offer an exciting year-round event programme at Raby. Events include themed trails, outdoor summer theatre, open-air cinema, seasonal markets and our popular Fireside Stories at Christmas.

Whether you’re a keen gardener, history or wildlife enthusiast, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Raby Castle.