Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
One of the North's most striking castles with a dramatic history.
Staindrop, Darlington, Co Durham, DL2 3AH
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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EV charging options
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
To find out more about the accessibility, visit here.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking available at Raby Castle. Please follow the signs on entry.
The Castle is situated in 200 acres of undulating parkland in a countryside location. The castle itself is approx. 400 meters from the main car park up a natural incline. There are two benches along the road leading to the castle to rest on. Those accompanying wheelchair users will need to be strong and able pushers.
If you require disabled access to the Castle, please speak to our admissions team who will direct you to the disabled parking area and will arrange access into the Castle.
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.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Raby Castle – Wednesday – Sunday | 11am – 4pm. Seasonal opening times March – October. Plus, bank holidays.
Walled Gardens, Deer Park, Coach House Shop, The Vinery – open daily, 10am – 4pm
The Plotters’ Forest – Weekend and Holiday Periods
Advised to prebook and check the website ahead of visiting www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle
To view opening times and prices please visit here.
Raby Castle, Deer Park and Gardens Tickets
Day Tickets:
Adult |£18.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £17.00
Concession (60+) | £17.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £16.00
Children (4–15 years) | £7.50 | Online Pre-booked Price £6.50
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £51.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £49.00
HH Member | Free
Raby Members | Free
Two Day Raby Explorer:
The pass is valid for two consecutive days, allowing you to explore Raby Castle, Deer Park & Gardens at your own pace.
Adult | £27.00
Concession (60+) | £25.50
Children (4–15 years) | £15.00
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £82.50
The Plotters’ Forest, Deer Park and Gardens Tickets
Adult | £13.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £12.00
Concession (60+) | £12.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £11.00
Children (4–15 years) | £10.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £9.00
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £45.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £44.00
HH Member | £5.00
Raby Members with The Plotters’ Forest | Free
Deer Park and Gardens Tickets
Adult | £12.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £11.00
Concession (60+) | £11.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £10.00
Children (4–15 years) | £7.50 | Online Pre-booked Price £6.50
Under 4s | Free
Family (2 adults & 3 children) | £38.00 | Online Pre-booked Price £37.00
HH Member | Free
Raby Members | Free
If you are travelling with a group of 16 or more people, book your visit in advance and receive the following benefits to make your group visit as easy and stress-free as possible including:
Discounted admission rates
Free coach parking at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
Complimentary admission for the group organiser
Complimentary admission & refreshments for coach driver
Meet and greet on arrival
Personalised booking process
Familiarisation visits can be arranged for group organiser(s)
If you are visiting as part of a school trip, booking in advance is required and you will receive the following benefits to make your school visit as easy and stress-free as possible including:
Discounted admission rates
Free coach parking at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
Complimentary admission for 1 adult per 10 paying students
Complimentary admission & refreshments for coach driver
Meet and greet on arrival
Personalised booking process
Familiarisation visits can be arranged for group organiser(s)
To find out more about the accessibility, visit here.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking available at Raby Castle. Please follow the signs on entry.
The Castle is situated in 200 acres of undulating parkland in a countryside location. The castle itself is approx. 400 meters from the main car park up a natural incline. There are two benches along the road leading to the castle to rest on. Those accompanying wheelchair users will need to be strong and able pushers.
If you require disabled access to the Castle, please speak to our admissions team who will direct you to the disabled parking area and will arrange access into the Castle.
Raby Castle: In Pictures
Getting here
Staindrop, Darlington, Co Durham, DL2 3AH
To find out how to find Raby Castle, visit here.
On A688, between Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland. 1m N of Staindrop.
If travelling by bus you should alight at Raby Castle, North Lodge. The following bus services, service this stop: Scarlet Band Route 85A, Arriva bus 6, Arriva bus 75.
Darlington Train Station is approx. 15 miles away, operating on the East Coast line.
A plot against Elizabeth I
There are fine collections including paintings, furniture, Meissen porcelain and arms. The medieval Great Kitchen and Servants’ Hall survive. Highlights include the vast Barons Hall where it is reputed that 700 knights gathered to plot a rebellion against Elizabeth I, a splendid Victorian octagonal drawing room that has re-emerged as one of the most striking interiors from the 19th century and in contrast a mediaeval kitchen, used until 1954.
Image credit: David Grey
An unrivalled collection
Raby’s treasures include an important collection of Meissen porcelain, fine furniture and artworks, including paintings by Munnings, De Hooch, Reynolds, Van Dyck and Teniers.
Two hundred acres of paradise
Raby Castle is surrounded by 200 acres of lush green parkland, where herds of red and fallow deer live wild. Explore the park and amble around the ponds to spot plenty of wildlife that inhabit this remarkable setting.
Image credit: Daniel Casson
Spectacular Rooms
Visitors to Raby can experience the Blue Bedroom, designed for very important visitors to the Castle in the 19th Century and the head housekeeper’s bedroom which is starkly furnished with a couple of ornaments and a wardrobe. Other 18th and 19th century rooms to experience are the small Drawing Room, library and Ante-Library.
Image credit: EC Righ
Why our members love visiting Raby Castle
Looking to visit Raby Castle?
Raby Castle is open to the public from Wednesdays to Sundays (plus Tuesdays in July and August and Bank Holidays) from March to October. Take a look at our Opening Times and Admission sections above for further details. Historic Houses members of course can explore Raby Castle for free when showing their membership card at the gate.
If you’re interested in joining Historic Houses as a member, you can find out more about membership below. Members enjoy free access to almost three hundred independently owned historic houses across the UK for free using their membership card, as well as a quarterly magazine and monthly online lectures about the houses.
Other houses that members can visit nearby
Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
Durham, DH7 7DW
Brancepeth Castle
Brancepeth, Co Durham, DH7 8DF
Rokeby Park
Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 9RZ
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
