The Darlington-based historic attraction is offering three themed experiences providing an insight into the stories of the castle’s history and the people who lived and worked there.
Groups visiting the historic attraction can take part in summer and autumn tours focusing on the links to the railways, Royal Family and women of Raby. The seasonal tours are available alongside group guided tours and free flow visits to the castle and gardens.
The Story of Raby and the Railways is a small exhibition, coinciding with the S&DR200 Festival celebrating 200 years of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, journeys through time, looking at Raby’s archives and collections to discover stories of railway development. From the surveyors who mapped the local terrain to the Dukes and Duchesses who enjoyed glamorous tours of Europe.
Groups can enjoy explore the Castle on a freeflow tour, plus a half-hour exhibition talk with a member of the Curation and Archives team exploring the background to the exhibition and the research carried out.
Raby and the Royal Family is a tour commemorating the castle’s historic links with royalty. Beginning with Raby’s origins as a manor belonging to King Canute in the early 11th century, guides take visitors through almost 1,000 years of Raby’s history, revealing stories of love, friendship, plots and treason.
Paintings, furniture and collections with links to the estate’s connection to royalty feature in the tour which also takes guests behind the scenes to rooms created for important visitors.
Women of Raby celebrates the powerful women who helped shape the story of the estate through the centuries, 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. The tour puts working women, botanists, artists and court influencers in focus and explores how women are depicted in some of the most iconic artworks in the castle collection.
Groups can visit Raby Castle, Park and Gardens for free flow visits, guided tours of the castle and gardens and bespoke tours. Bespoke tours include an estate lunch in The Vinery, a Raby Castle guidebook and refreshments and tours available include American Connections, A Passion for China, The Art that made Raby and Castle Roof Top Tours.
Afternoon tea and tours are also available, with the tea served in the Vinery. Groups of 16 or more can visit with discounted admission, free coach parking, complimentary admission for group organiser and coach driver and refreshments for the coach driver.
About Raby Castle
Built in the 14th Century by the Neville family, Raby castle was home to Cecily Neville, mother of two kings of England, the scene of the plotting of the Rising of the North and a Parliamentary stronghold during the English Civil War.
The estate features an 18th century walled garden covering five acres with a frass ampitheatre in the lower part of the East Garden, a Formal Garden with a series of mazes and the West Garden which features raised beds growing seasonal produce, a greenhouse displaying hothouse plants and a cut flower garden full of roses, peonies, dahlias and sweet peas. The deer park in the grounds covers 200 acres and is home to two species of deer; Red Deer, the largest British wild land mammal and the smaller Fallow Deer.
For more information about Raby Castle, visit www.raby.co.uk.
