FAQs

Well-behaved dogs on leads are permitted to visit the Deer Park, Stables Café and Stables Shop. We do request that they be kept on a lead at all times and that any dog waste is cleared and placed in the bins around the grounds. Dogs are not permitted within The Plotters’ Forest and Castle.

Raby Castle is part of the Historic Houses (HH) Friends Scheme and therefore friends and members of the HH are welcome to visit the park and castle free of charge (subject to opening times) upon production of a valid membership card. We regret that we cannot permit access without a valid membership card. This is a requirement of the HH who recompenses Raby Castle for each visit. The Plotters’ Forest is not included with entry and separate tickets must be booked in advance and shown at entry.

Photography for personal use only is allowed in the Park. Photography for personal use is allowed in the castle as long as there is no flash and no tripod.

The use of drones at Raby Castle is strictly prohibited.

Permission for commercial photography or filming must be gained in advance, please contact us on 01833 660202 or email admin@raby.co.uk

Food and drinks are available daily at our Yurt Cafe and Plotters’ Pantry. From soups to sandwiches, savoury snacks and sweet treats, there is something for everyone. We also have gluten-free and vegan options available.

Visitors, with a valid entrance ticket, are welcome to enjoy a picnic in the grounds and there are picnic tables and benches located near the car parking area. All we ask is that visitors kindly clear up any litter and left over food after themselves and use the bins provided around the Park. We regret that barbeques or open fires are not permitted due to animal and environmental safety.

If you’d like to visit Raby Castle and Deer Park, we would always recommend pre-booking online. We cannot guarantee ticket availability on site.

Tickets purchased are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Tickets purchased are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if you created a Digi Tickets customer account when you made your booking you can log in and manage your account and tickets.

Previously Raby Members did receive a physical card in the post. However, moving forward as a business we wish to reduce our environmental impact across the estate and use of plastic. Visitors will now receive a confirmation email with a barcode when purchasing a Raby Membership which can be shown on entry to access the park (on a mobile device or as a printed copy).

For those who would still prefer a physical card, we now have a sustainable option which can be purchased from the office for £2.50. Please call 01833 660202 to make an enquiry.

Unless we close the park due to extreme weather warnings, tickets are non-refundable. We always hope for glorious weather, but please check the forecast before your visit and dress appropriately. If it’s a rainy day – waterproof clothing and the Great British spirit will be required!

Visitors are very welcome to bring their own bikes to enjoy a cycle around the Deer Park with a valid ticket. Bike trails and a map of the grounds can be provided on entry to help you explore. Look out for spectacular views of the Castle, our herds of red and fallow deer and an abundance of wildlife.

We do not have any cash machines on site. Card Payments are the preferred payment method.

Visitors with mobility issues or special needs will be offered a concession ticket. If your group requires a carer admission, please call the office to book your free space on 01833 660202 and bring ID along with you on the day.

If you are travelling as part of a special needs group, then group rates are applicable and we offer free places to organisers/teachers. Please call us in advance to discuss your requirements on 01833 660202.

Find out more about Disabled Access.

Find out more about Group Visits.

There are no wheelchairs or Mobility Scooters for hire.

For all group enquries please contact admin@raby.co.uk

There is no charge to park at Raby Castle.

Disabled parking is available on site, please ask a member of the team to direct you on arrival.

Smoking is not permitted.

Our Plotters’ Forest & Deer Park Tickets give you access to both The Plotters’ Forest and Deer Park. If you would also like to visit Raby Castle you can add this on during your booking process.

Please note, the castle is open seasonally between March – October.

We recommend pre-booking your tickets for The Plotters’ Forest in advance online as we cannot guarantee availability on site.

The Plotters’ Forest is set on a hillside within natural woodland, with some uneven ground and steps. However, a wooden boardwalk, which reaches the top of the playground is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair allowing visitors to enjoy interactive games on the first level.

The Plotters’ Forest has been designed to allow enjoyment and engagement at the boardwalk level for those visitors with mobility issues however you cannot access some play equipment at the upper level. We were mindful to install several interactive items at boardwalk level to make the experience as accessible as possible, including musical chimes, peeky portrait, pairs games, talking tubes and mischief mirrors. The play equipment is only part of the attraction of this wonderful place. The way the accessible boardwalk weaves throughout the pine trees allows for a very special sensory experience, just the smell and colour of this fabulous forest towering above you makes it a very magical place and one which stimulates both wellbeing and imaginative play.

For visitors who would like to buy a Raby Membership for the first time, there is an option on our ticketing platform referenced ‘Raby Membership with The Plotters’ Forest‘.

A Plotters’ Forest Raby Membership offers visitors the following benefits for a whole year:

• Admission into Raby Castle (The Castle is open seasonal March – October)
• Admission into Deer Park at Raby Castle all year round
• 10% off at the Yurt Café and Stables Shop
• Admission to High Force Waterfall all year round (excludes parking)
• 10% off at the High Force Hotel and Kiosk
• Admission into The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground, all year round. (Please note The Plotters’ Forest requires to be prebooked online you can do this for free using your Raby Membership number)

Please note a Raby Membership excludes entry into special events.

At Raby Castle we have a ‘try before you buy’ system, meaning if you have bought day tickets and have decided you would like to buy a Raby Membership you can purchase this on the day. Your day admission cost will be deducted from the Raby Membership price.

Alternatively, you can buy a Raby Membership in advance using our online ticketing system.

A Plotters’ Forest Raby Membership offers visitors the following benefits for a whole year:

• Admission into Raby Castle (The Castle is open seasonal March – October)
• Admission into Deer Park at Raby Castle all year round
• 10% off at the Yurt Café and Stables Shop
• Admission to High Force Waterfall all year round (excludes parking)
• 10% off at the High Force Hotel and Kiosk
• Admission into The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground, all year round. (Please note The Plotters’ Forest requires to be prebooked online you can do this for free using your Raby Membership number)

Please note a Raby Membership excludes entry into special events.

The Plotters’ Forest is an adventure play area that has been designed for children, therefore adults with no accompanying children will not be permitted into The Plotters’ Forest. There are many other areas of Raby Castle you can explore instead.

This is an unsupervised play area. All Plotters and Rebels must be accompanied by supervising adult (we have coffee at the top!)

Entry into The Plotters’ Forest starts from your allocated time slot which is 2 hours. The Plotters’ Forest tickets include access into the Deer Park anytime between 10am – 4pm with a complimentary children’s trail.

Upgrades to visit Raby Castle are available online and on the day, subject to availability. Please note, the castle is open seasonally between March – October.

To ensure our little visitors are kept safe, we don’t allow dogs inside The Plotters’ Forest and Raby Castle. Dogs are allowed in the deer park, stables shop and yurt cafe as long as they are kept on leads.

Only guide dogs are permitted into Raby Castle and The Plotters’ Forest.

The Plotters’ Forest has been designed to cater for a mixed range of ages and abilities and contains elements of risk. The recommended age for children is between 4 – 12 years.  The majority of the equipment is designed to be moderately challenging. 

Adults should supervise younger children carefully. Adults should also be comfortable that the risks contained are suitable for the abilities of their children before allowing them to play. Big people decide. Only you know the abilities and limitations of the children in your care. Please keep an eye on them and make sure they’re playing safely. 

There is a small dedicated area for under 4’s toddler’s play. 

If you book the 3pm allocated time slot you have access to The Plotters’ Forest until 5pm.

Entry to The Plotters’ Forest is at your allocated time slot, once you have left you can enjoy the deer park and other areas of Raby Castle. You will not be able to re-enter.

We have designated picnic benches on site close by to the Cafe Yurt, picnics are not allowed in The Plotters’ Forest. Refreshments are available at The Plotters’ Forest and Yurt Cafe.

The Plotters’ Forest has been designed around discovery, intrigue and challenge around our Christmas Tree plantation with historical features throughout including the Neville Gateway, the Plotters’ Spire, towers and forts inspired by the castle’s history. Other elements include plotters’ talking tubes, peaky portrait, rebels xylophone, mischief mirrors, giant memory game, plotters’ slide, rebels run, toddlers play, sky-high tunnels, treetop tunnels and so much more. Another key element of The Plotters’ Forest is outdoor play reaping the benefits of playing in nature including sensory play, creativity, imagination and wellbeing.

We recommend two hours of play, all tickets allow access to the 200-acre deer park with scenic views of the castle and wildlife. Throughout the holiday periods, we have the added bonus of seasonal trails. There is also the opportunity to upgrade your ticket to include a visit inside the castle to view the superb collections and room exterior.

Please note this is not a tree tops high ropes course.

We would recommend the 3pm slot during the weekdays for children who enjoy quieter times.