Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • City Breaks
      • Spa Breaks
      • Dog Friendly
      • Stunning Stays
    • Hotels
    • B&B and Guest Houses
    • Inns & Pubs
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages
      • Self Catering Agencies
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping
    • Hostels
  • Things to Do
    • Don't Miss
      • Beamish Museum
      • Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • Crook Hall Gardens
      • Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre
      • Durham Castle Tours
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Durham University Botanic Garden
      • Durham University Oriental Museum
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • Hardwick Park
      • High Force
      • Kynren- An epic Tale of England
      • Locomotion
      • Palace Green Library
      • Raby Castle
      • The Auckland Project
      • The Bowes Museum
      • Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
      • Wharton Park
    • Attractions
      • Castles & Historic Houses
      • Cathedral & Churches
      • Hands on History
      • Gardens & Parks
      • Family Fun
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Waterfalls & Reservoirs
    • Activities
      • Adventure Activities
      • Cycling
      • Family Fun Activities
      • Festival & Events Organisers
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Spas
      • Walking
    • Entertainment
      • Cinema
      • Theatre
    • Shopping
      • Antiques
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Farm Shops & Markets
      • Garden Centres
      • Independent Shops & Boutiques
      • Shopping Centres
      • Regional Delivery Service
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
      • Attraction Tours
      • Tour Guides
      • Scenic Tours
      • Cycling Tours
      • Walking Tours
      • Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes
    • Weddings
      • Historic Wedding Venues
      • Hotel Wedding Venues
      • Wedding Fairs & Events
      • Stag & Hen Party Ideas
      • Wedding Packages
  • What's On
    • Durham World Heritage Day
    • Dark Skies Events
    • Family Events
      • Free Events
      • Easter Events
    • Foodie Events
    • Historic Events
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events
      • Cinema Venues
      • Theatre Venues
    • Sports
    • 2023 Unmissable Events
  • Food & Drink
    • Don't Miss
      • Cafe Bowes at The Bowes Museum
      • Collage Restaurant and Grill
      • Eating Out at Ushaw
      • Headlam Hall Restaurant
      • Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
      • Ozone at Seaham Hall
      • The Dining Room
      • The Rose and Crown
      • Undercroft Restaurant
    • Restaurants
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops
    • Pubs & Bars
    • Local Produce
      • Farmers Markets
      • Farm Shops
    • Afternoon Tea in Durham
    • Inspire Me
      • Food Itineraries
      • Foodie Events
      • Tasty Tours
      • Tasty Places to Stay
  • Inspire Me
    • Don't Miss
      • Auckland Castle
      • Beamish Museum
      • Dalton Park
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren – an epic tale of England
      • North Pennines AONB
    • Short Break Ideas
      • Dark Skies
      • Dog Friendly Durham
      • Romantic Getaways
      • Spa Breaks
      • Golf Breaks
      • Weddings
      • Year of the Coast
      • City Break
    • Seasonal
      • Spring Breaks
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter Breaks
    • Memorable Moments
    • Budget-Friendly Days Out in Durham
    • Taste Durham
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors
    • Delve Into Our Heritage
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights
    • Itineraries
    • Durham Videos
  • Explore Durham
    • Durham City
    • Durham Dales
    • Vale of Durham
    • Durham Coast
    • Durham Towns
      • Barnard Castle
      • Bishop Auckland
      • Chester-le-Street
      • Seaham
      • Stanhope
    • North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark
    • North East England
  • Visitor Information
    • Information Points
    • Maps of Durham
    • Getting to Durham
    • Getting Around Durham
      • Car Hire
      • Taxis
      • Electric Car Charging Points
    • Accessibility
    • Publications
    • Durham Apps
    • Discover Durham Digitally

Don't Miss

  • A couple standing at High Force

    Memorable Moments

  • A couple standing outside Crook Hall

    Spring Breaks

  • Teesdale Cheese

    Food & Drink

  • What on the Durham Coast

    Year of the Coast 2023

  • Corporate
  • Groups & Travel Trade
  • Durham Place Of Light
  • Meet in Durham
  • Northern Saints
Menu
  • Top Attractions

  • Places To Stay

  • Things to Do

    Things to Do in Durham

  • Planning Your Trip

    Planning Your Trip

  • Inspire Me

Site Search Icon
My Account icon

Login to your account

Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

List All My Saved Itineraries

  • Logo
  • Print Logo
Close Navigation

Follow Us...

  • Facebook

    Thumbnail for Facebook

  • Twitter

    Thumbnail for Twitter

  • YouTube

    YouTube Icon

  • Pintrest

    Pinterest

  • Instagram

    Instagram

  • Blog

    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle

The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle

Staindrop
County Durham
DL2 3AH

Tel: +44 01833 660202

Email

Visit Website

Add The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

Wooden tower and slide through the trees.
  • Wooden tower and slide through the trees.
  • Wooden tower and turrets through the trees.
  • Plotter's forest play area with slide and wooden tower.
  • Wooden turrets with bridge in foreground.
  • View of wooden tower at 'Plotter's Forest' woodland play park at Raby Castle
  • aerial view of the 'plotter's forest' adventure play area at Raby Castle

About

Come and experience Raby Castle's brand new adventure playground, The Plotters' Forest. Inspired by the castle's history, particularly The Rising of the North in 1569, The Plotters' Forest encourages everyone to come and unleash their inner playfulness and mischief as a 'Raby rebel'.

Enter through the towering gateway and disappear into the dense woodland. Explore ground-level forest trails, then climb to high walkways and towers. Become part of a world of magic and mischief: create a cacophony on outdoor musical instruments and match pairs on our giant memory game, or strike a Plotters’  Portrait pose and cause chaos with our spinning signposts.

Visitors young and old will love getting lost amongst exhilarating views, sky-high turrets and treetop tunnels, before spreading out on stargazing decks and slipping down slides. Send your fellow plotters coded messages through the Talking Tubes, and spot enemies in the Mischief Mirrors. And for the very smallest rebels, there’s a dedicated toddler area: think mini turrets, climbing equipment, slides and a chalkboard for drawing secret squiggles.

For centuries, Raby Castle has been home to men and women who stood up for their beliefs and changed the course of history; plus those who weren’t so lucky and ended up in big trouble. Which will you prove to be: a Plucky Plotter or a Rotten Rebel? Find out in The Plotters’ Forest.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Castle, Play & Park Tickets (March - October)
Adult – £13.00
Concession – £12.00
4–15 years – £10.00
Under 4s – Free
Family (2+3) – £45.00
HH Member – £5.00

Play & Park Tickets (open daily)
Adult – £8.00
Concession – £7.00
4–15 years – £7.50
Under 4s – Free
Family (2+3) – £29.00
HH Member – £5.00

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
1044 reviews
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    657
  • Very Good
    258
  • Average
    59
  • Poor
    42
  • Terrible
    28

Recent Reviews:

  • Lorraine B
    Trip Type:
    Friends getaway
    Something to see and do for everyone!
    5 of 5 stars
    Monday, 13th March 2023
    Getting to explore the inside castle is truly incredible. The knowledge and enthusiasm from those located in different rooms was great. While not quite summer bloom weather the ponds and deer park... Read full review
  • D9840FMdenisea
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    My visit to Raby Castle
    5 of 5 stars
    Tuesday, 14th March 2023
    This was such an incredible experience, the history inside these doors is fascinating. There are so many amazing paintings all with a part to play in the history and story of Raby Castle, from the... Read full review
  • Wudgeymudge
    Sheffield, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Family
    Big shout out to guides in castle!
    3 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 19th March 2023
    Visited the castle which was worth doing even on slightly pricer side. The castle is surrounded by deer park but hampered in there was no maps or signage telling you where the paths went or if... Read full review
Write a review
© TripAdvisor 2023

Facilities

Accessibility

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

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

Provider Features

  • In countryside
  • Indoor Attraction
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Village Location

Tours and Demonstrations

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

Travel & Trade

  • Group discounts available

Access Information

Opening Times

2023 (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabyCastle

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...

Raby CastleRaby Castle, StaindropWelcome to Raby Castle and Deer Park. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with a fascinating history and stories to tell. Explore our Deer Park and adventure playground, The Plotters' Forest or learn about our fascinating Castle collections.

What's Nearby

  1. Raby Castle

    Raby Castle

    Welcome to Raby Castle and Deer Park. A stunning complete medieval castle in County…

    0 miles away
  2. Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle

    A spectacular fortress set on a high rock above the market town, Barnard Castle takes you…

    5.21 miles away
  3. Exterior view of The Bowes Museum and surrounding gardens

    The Bowes Museum

    See outstanding collections of art, fashion and design housed in an impressive…

    5.57 miles away
  1. Egglestone Abbey

    Egglestone Abbey

    Charming ruins of Premonstratensian Abbey and picnic area in a picturesque location on…

    5.75 miles away
  2. The Witham lit up at night

    The Witham

    The Witham is a community venue for theatre, music, art and social events, facilities…

    5.76 miles away
  3. St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton

    St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton

    St. Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton is a place of Peace, Worship and Spirituality…

    5.83 miles away
  4. Hamsterley Forest green man sculpture

    Hamsterley Forest

    Information point and tearoom, forest drive with children's play area. Four mile forest…

    6.06 miles away
  5. Thorpe Farm Centre

    Wetheriggs Animal Rescue at Thorpe Farm Centre

    Come and visit Wetheriggs - Wetheriggs Animal Rescue is a small family run animal rescue…

    6.1 miles away
  6. Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    One of our region’s most important wildlife sites, this wetland reserve, bordered by the…

    6.26 miles away
  7. Escomb Saxon Church

    Escomb Saxon Church

    One of England's finest Saxon churches, Escomb dates to the 7thC and contains a Roman…

    6.42 miles away
  8. The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop

    The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop

    No.42 is home to The Auckland Project’s Art, Social History Collection and Future Plans…

    7.27 miles away
  9. External view of The Spanish Gallery

    The Spanish Gallery - The Auckland Project

    The Spanish Gallery is unique in Britain, telling the story of the Spanish Golden Age in…

    7.32 miles away
  10. deer park auckland castle county durham

    Auckland Castle Deer House and Park

    Auckland Castle commands a prominent position overlooking the River Wear, surrounded by…

    7.39 miles away
  11. Exterior seating of cafe

    Bishop Auckland Town Hall

    Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in Bishop Auckland…

    7.4 miles away
  12. Bishop Trevor Gallery auckland tower

    Bishop Trevor Gallery - The Auckland Project

    The gallery houses a special programme of exhibitions, bringing fine art to Bishop…

    7.4 miles away
  13. Auckland Tower, blue skies

    Auckland Tower - The Auckland Project

    Auckland Tower is the perfect place to get a feel for The Auckland Project, the stunning…

    7.4 miles away
Previous Next
More

Search What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles
  • Enewsletter Sign Up

  • Win

  • Save

  • Contact Us

this is our blog

  • Seven special ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Durham

    mum and daughter walking through Durham University's Botanic Gardens

    We’ve got lots of fun ideas that will make this special day one to remember, with lots of fabulous ways to treat your mum in Durham.

  • Discover the best of Bishop Auckland

    woman and boy stand and admire paintings inside Spanish Gallery, Bishop Auckland.

    Bishop Auckland is full of surprising discoveries. From exploring the town’s rich cultural heritage to sampling new and delicious foods, there’s something for everyone in this historic market town. 

  • Five things not to miss at Durham’s World Heritage Day

    Durham World Heritage Day 2023 logo

    Top things not to miss at this year's Durham World Heritage Day celebrations.

  • Discover Crimes of the Centuries at Beamish Museum during February Half Term

    police man stands between Suffragette and protestor holding placards at Beamish Museum.

    Investigate crimes of the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North this February Half Term.

  • Robson Green Weekend Escapes

    Robson Green and Melanie Hill sat at foot of High Force Waterfall credit: Robson Green Instagram

    Plan your own weekend escape with our guide to amazing attractions and experiences featured in Robson Green's Weekend Escapes on BBC 2.

  • Loading..Loading..
    • Print Page
    • Email Page
    Home Accommodation
    • Hotels,
    • B&B and Guest Houses,
    • Inns & Pubs,
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages,
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping,
    • Dog Friendly,
    • Hostels,
    Things to Do
    • Attractions,
    • Activities,
    • Shopping,
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides,
    What's On
    • Family Events,
    • Foodie Events,
    • Historic Events,
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events,
    • Sports,
    • 2023 Unmissable Events,
    Food & Drink
    • Restaurants,
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops,
    • Pubs & Bars,
    • Local Produce,
    • Tasty Places to Stay,
    • Foodie Events,
    • Food Itineraries,
    • Special Offers,
    Inspire Me
    • Short Break Ideas,
    • Taste Durham,
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors,
    • Delve Into Our Heritage,
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights,
    • Itineraries,
    Explore Durham
    • Durham City,
    • Durham Dales,
    • Vale of Durham,
    • Durham Coast,
    • Durham Towns,
    • North East England,
    Visitor Information
    • Information Points,
    • Maps of Durham,
    • Getting to Durham,
    • Getting Around Durham,
    • Accessibility,
    • Publications,
    Submit Event
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Site Map
    • Submit Event
    • Terms & Conditions

    © Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved

    Registered Office: Visit County Durham, 2nd Floor, County Hall, Dryburn Road, Durham, DH1 5UL

    • North East England logo

    Ratings & Reviews

    Powered By

    tripadvisor

    • Durham County Council