Enjoy a scenic tour of Raby Castle’s extensive Deer Park, guided by a knowledgeable ranger who will share fascinating insights about the deer and the park’s history. Observe herds of red and fallow deer, learn about their behaviours, diet, and the conservation efforts in place to protect them. Explore the picturesque parkland, featuring ancient trees, rolling parkland, and tranquil ponds, providing a stunning backdrop for your tour. Capture the beauty of the deer and the scenic surroundings. Our guide will assist you in finding the best spots for photography.

Join us this May Bank Holiday for Raby Castle’s first Spring Garden Fair, celebrating the garden’s reawakening after its winter slumber as spring breathes new life into the landscape. Watch as petals unfurl and fresh shoots push through the earth, signalling the season’s vibrant return. Throughout the day, we will be joined by a range of garden experts offering talks and advice to support with any questions you might have about your own garden and also share information about the transformation of Raby Castle’s Walled Gardens. North Yorkshire is renowned Landscape Architect and Garden Designer, Alistair Baldwin, will be discussing his landscaping scheme from the tranquillity of the Vinery Terrace to the grandeur of the Dutch Barn. You will gain a deeper understanding of how these spaces came to life and their connection to the castle’s rich heritage. It’s a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about the passion behind this magnificent restoration scheme. Enjoy time in the Walled Gardens, soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the amphitheatre entertainment and maybe purchase a plant or two to take back into your own tranquil haven. There’s lots for families too, with flower crowns to be made in the gardens and tractor rides in the Deer Park; it really is a day for everyone. Come and join the fun at the Raby Spring Garden Fair. You will also discover a curated selection of local suppliers showcasing unique and fascinating items at their market stalls in the Riding School, perfect for adding a special touch to your home or garden. Explore The Coach House Shop, brimming with inspiration for outdoor living, including stylish table decorations, accessories, plants, and pots. Ticket options include access into the magnificent 14th century Raby Castle, the 200 acre parklands home to red and fallow deer and the stunning 5 acre walled gardens – there is so much to see and do. We look forward to welcoming you to a fantastic bank holiday weekend at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. What’s On Each Day 10:30am | Gardeners Walk & Talk 11:00am | Children’s Seed Planting 11:30am | Cutting Garden Talk with Becky Crowley 12:00pm | Planting for Birds Walk & Talk 12:30pm | Construction of The Walled Garden Talk 1:00pm | The Gardens at Raby: The Vision with Alistair Baldwin 1:30pm | Children’s Seed Planting 2:00pm | Planting for Pollinators Walk & Talk 2:30pm | May Tasks for your Garden with Becky Crowley 3:00pm | Children’s Seed Planting Alongside shopping, entertainment in the amphitheatre, tractor and trailer rides, children’s crafts, free-flow access into Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and so much more.

Guided Walk Through the Historic Woodlands Experience the enchanting beauty of spring with the Bluebell Walk at Raby Castle. Wander through the castle’s picturesque woodlands, where vibrant carpets of bluebells create a breath-taking natural display. As you stroll along the peaceful trails, immerse yourself in the sights and scents of this seasonal wonder. Perfect for families, nature lovers, and photographers, the Bluebell Walk offers a serene escape into the heart of Raby’s stunning landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the fleeting beauty of bluebells in bloom and the rich wildlife that thrives in these historic woodlands. A truly magical way to celebrate the arrival of spring! Tickets also include full day access to Deer Park and Walled Gardens. Be sure to download the Free Merlin ID app before the walk! This handy app helps you identify birds by their calls, so you won’t miss a single chirp or tweet. With just a few taps, you can discover and learn more about the birds you hear along the way. It’s a great way to deepen your connection to nature and make the most of your time with us!

Create Your Own Beautiful Hand-Embroidered Landscape Come and join us for a relaxing and inspiring workshop where you will craft your very own hand-embroidered landscape. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some embroidery experience, this workshop will guide you through every step as you create something truly unique. What You Will Learn: How to choose and layer fabrics to build the perfect background for your scene. The art of embroidery stitches to add texture, detail, and personality to your landscape. Tips on adding finishing touches like beads, threads, and embellishments to make your design shine. What You Will Make: By the end of the workshop, you will have a beautiful landscape ready to be framed, turned into a greeting card, or used on a cushion—perfect for showing off or giving as a thoughtful gift. Make It Your Own: If you have a particular landscape in mind, bring along an image—whether printed or on your device—and we will help you recreate it with your own personal touch. Who Is This For? This workshop is open to everyone! Whether you are just starting out with embroidery or you are a more experienced stitcher, you will find inspiration and support throughout the session. All Materials Provided: We will provide everything you need for the workshop, but if you have special fabrics or threads you would love to use, feel free to bring them along. We can’t wait to share this creative experience with you, and we are excited to see the beautiful landscapes you will create!

Learn the timeless craft of basket weaving in a breath-taking, historical setting. Join us for an exclusive Willow Basket Weaving Workshop set in the enchanting surroundings of Raby Castle. This hands-on experience will guide you through the traditional techniques of willow weaving as you create your very own foraging basket — a practical, stylish addition to your home or garden. Whether you are a beginner or experienced crafter, you will leave with a unique handmade piece and a deeper appreciation for this ancient craft. To make your day even more enjoyable, we will provide a light lunch to keep you refreshed throughout the workshop.

Join us for a guided walk and discover the fascinating history embedded in the landscape of Raby’s parkland. From visible structures to the stories hidden beneath our feet, this walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the estate’s rich past. In collaboration with Brett, a Durham University PhD student researching archaeological finds on the Raby Estate, we will delve into the history of the land using 18th-century archive maps, plans, and cutting-edge technology to uncover how the landscape was once used. Bring your walking boots and a keen eye for detail as we search for evidence of Roman roads, ancient dwellings, and historic carriage routes. Please note that part of the walk involves a steady incline through fields, so if you have mobility concerns, we kindly ask you to consider this. As this is an outdoor tour, we advise visitors to dress appropriately for the weather, and sturdy outdoor footwear is essential.

Take a moment to slow down, breathe, and immerse yourself in the captivating world of art at Raby Castle. Our new programme invites you to step away from the hustle and bustle and spend an hour truly connecting with the artworks in our collection. Led by a friendly member of the Raby team, you’ll have the chance to pause and take a deeper, more personal look at the paintings, gaining a new perspective and appreciation. Each month, different artworks will be selected from Raby’s significant collections and participants will be able to venture beyond the rope barriers to get closer to these historic treasures, with a chance to discover some of the detail and intricacy that cannot be seen from a distance. The castle team will reveal details about the artist, subject or symbolism that might totally change your first impression. This isn’t about formal lessons or finding the “right” answer—it’s about giving yourself the time to reflect, engage, and simply enjoy the beauty of art. Each session focuses on a different theme and artwork, allowing you to discover something new and inspiring every time you join us. Join us for a peaceful and enriching experience—because sometimes, the best way to understand art is to simply take a moment to see it. We are hosting a number of sessions throughout the year, with each event shining a spotlight on different pieces of art throughout Raby Castle. “It was a very interesting and well thought out session. The discussions around both paintings gave a lot of food for thought. I look forward to attending another Slow Art event.”

We are delighted to be part of the national LEAF Open Farm Sunday event. On 8th June, farms up and down the country will be giving people a chance to experience everyday farm life first hand and learn more about how the food on our plates is produced. Open Farm Sunday will feature our local produce market, exciting tractor rides and much more! What’s On This is a event featuring a local produce market, education zone and machinery displays. Local Produce Market A hand-picked selection of local artisans will form a fantastic Farmers Market. Discover the best of North East produce, from sweet to savoury, we guarantee there will be something for everyone. Education Zone Learn about farm stewardship, speak to local organisations and discover how we care for our environment. View our impressive farm machinery on display, from tractors, drills to combine harvesters. BBQ As always, Tom our Estate Chef will be rustling up a storm with our mouth-watering BBQ, featuring our iconic venison meat. Delicious plant alternatives are also available. This is the perfect place to refuel during your adventures at Raby. Tractor and Trailer Rides Tickets Required | Tickets Coming Soon Enjoy the scenic Tractor Ride that will take you through the spectacular parkland and up to the idyllic Home Farm, whilst you admire the picturesque landscapes. On your ride up to Home Farm, learn about everyday farm life and keep an eye out for our animals. You will see sheep, our famous Longhorn Cattle and of course our red and fallow deer. The Tractor Ride is the only way to access Home Farm on the day. Booking in advance is advised and the fee is £5.00 per person. All adults and children (1+ yrs) require a ticket for the tractor ride. The full tractor tour will take approximately 45 minutes however you do not get off the trailer at any point. Tickets include all day access to The Deer Park (10am – 4pm)

Families join us this February Half Term and step back in time to the year 1900 and experience life as part of a Victorian workforce at Raby Castle. On this special family tour, join the Butler as he takes you on a fascinating journey through the castle, showcasing the demanding roles of those who served during the Victorian era. From the scullery maid washing pots to the housemaid hauling coals for the fires, you will discover the daily duties and hidden stories of castle life. This immersive experience will give you a rare opportunity to learn about the working conditions, routines, and challenges faced by the staff of Raby Castle, all under the guidance of the Butler. Participants will step into the shoes of the Victorian workers, touring the castle’s servant quarters, dining rooms, and even learning how to lay a table, just as the staff would have. Limited places are available for this family-friendly experience, making it a unique and educational opportunity for those looking to explore the rich history of Raby Castle in a hands-on way. The tour lasts approximately one hour, so bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!

Join us by crackling open fires for a very special afternoon where original letters, documents and poems will shed light on some key female figures in Raby’s history and their personalities, experience and beliefs. Our readings will include excerpts from the Handbook for Raby Castle (1870), written by the 4th Duchess of Cleveland as well as letters home written by Sally Coles Stevenson, wife of the American Ambassador. This varied and entertaining afternoon presents the astonishing history of the castle through words left to us by the people who were once here.

Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Raby Castle’s picturesque surroundings through a unique landscape painting workshop led by artist and tutor Jo Pickering. This workshop offers participants the rare opportunity to develop their artistic skills while capturing the enchanting vistas that surround the Castle. Under Jo’s expert guidance, attendees will learn the fundamentals of composition, perspective, and the selection of materials, all while being inspired by the stunning backdrop of Raby Castle’s majestic architecture and expansive grounds. Every brushstroke will reflect the individual artist’s interpretation, transforming the natural beauty of the estate into a personal work of art. Whether you are a novice or an experienced artist, all are welcome to join this enriching and creative experience. This workshop provides a perfect setting to explore your artistic potential while enjoying the serene beauty of Raby Castle.

Explore 1,000 years of royal history at Raby Castle. Raby’s hugely popular tour commemorating the castle’s historic links with royalty returns for 2025. Beginning with Raby’s origins as a manor belonging to King Canute in the early 11th century, we will guide you through almost 1,000 years of Raby’s history, revealing stories of love, friendship, plots and treason. The tour will highlight paintings, furniture and collections which shed light on Raby’s unique royal connections, and take you behind the scenes to rooms created for important visitors. This tour includes parts of the castle not usually on the public route, so warm clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended.

Join us for a day of Classic Cars at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. In an exciting collaboration between Raby and Durham Automobile Club, visitors can expect to see a stunning selection of Classic Cars. Whether you are a car enthusiast or simply looking for a fun day out, join us in the Deer Park to enjoy a car spectacle. Ticket holders will be treated to a unique experience with a chance to browse the vehicle displays and enjoy the extensive Raby Castle Park. Cars from the 1950s right up to modern classics will be showcased with awards being presented for each car class. Our Estate Chef will be serving up both breakfast and lunch with sausage and bacon sandwiches from 8am till 12pm. Indulge in mouth-watering Raby Longhorn Beef Burgers on the BBQ crafted with love and fired up to perfection from 12pm till 4pm. We have two ticket options for you, either bring your car along with you for all to admire or come as a visitor and explore all there is to see into the automobile world. Classic Car Show Car Owners Tickets Classic Car Show Visitors Tickets With Raby Castle and The Plotters Forest also open to visitors, why not seize the opportunity to enhance your experience by upgrading your tickets? Simply visit The Round House on the day. The Plotters’ Forest adventure playground tickets are advised to be pre-purchased online Car Classes are as follows: Pre 1960’s and Brass Cars 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s 1990’s Millennium Modified and Hot Rods DAC and Competition Cars Motorcycles and Scooters pre 1970 Motorcycles and Scooters from 1970 onwards Tractors Commercial Vehicles Kit Cars and Specials

This exclusive event at Raby Castle highlights stories of some of the fascinating women who once walked our halls. From the familiar history of Cecily Neville, known as the ‘Rose of Raby’, to the lesser-known experiences of the women who worked in the household, this surprising tour will put working women, botanists, artists, and court influencers under the spotlight. The tour will also explore how women are depicted in some of the most iconic artworks in the castle collection. Join our Senior Guides for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into rooms beyond the public route and gain an insight into these historic women who have shaped Raby’s future today. Access: Please note that accessibility inside the Castle is limited due to the historic nature of the building. This tour includes areas of the Castle that are not usually open to the public. The route includes uneven floor surfaces, a stone spiral staircase and areas where there is no access to seating. Flat shoes and warm clothing are strongly recommended. Alternative arrangements are available for any visitors unable to use the spiral staircase. Please inform the Castle team in advance by calling 01833 650202 or emailing [email protected]