Complimentary with Raby Castle, Park and Garden or Family Explorer Tickets 

This summer, Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has come alive with a vibrant programme of floral experiences & garden-inspired events celebrating the beauty of nature.

Heading inside the Castle, arches of tumbling flowers and meadows growing up from the floors are some of the first delights to experience, taking visitors on a visual journey from dark to light which is full of texture and floral scents. Deborah Simpson Boston, a local floral designer and owner of Periwinkle Barn, based at Raby for the summer, has created this living, breathing entrance to the main installation through the medieval passage.

The centrepiece of Castle in Bloom is in some of the Castle’s grandest rooms, showcasing contemporary designs created by renowned florist Anna Potter from Swallows and Damsons, as her installation further explores the contrast between dark and light.

The Entrance Hall features an incredible suspended orb, representing the moon, consisting of dried deschampsia grasses, which have been cut from Raby’s own Walled Gardens. On the floor above, the Baron’s Hall houses a giant suspended sun portal against the backdrop of the three grand windows.

To complement Swallows and Damsons’ designs, several local suppliers and creators have contributed to the Castle in Bloom installation, including Yorkshire based florist Opulence and the Beetle, whose exuberant and colourful creations have transformed additional Castle rooms.

To celebrate Raby’s historic passion for plants, a themed exhibition has also been created for visitors to peruse. It features important individuals such as the 18^th century botanist Lady Anne Monson who grew up at Raby when the walled garden was being developed and the head gardeners who have innovated and developed the award-winning garden throughout history.

For a full day out at Raby brimming with floral inspiration, visitors can soak up the creative planting designs of two well-known designers. Yorkshire based Alistair Baldwin designed the planting scheme which envelopes the visitor buildings beautifully, whilst in the Walled Gardens, visitors can admire the work by award-winning garden designer Luciano Giubbilei and Lady Barnard, where there’s also the Garden Trading furniture collection to explore in the Conservatory. Indulgence awaits with an afternoon tea with a floral twist in The Vinery Cafe, featuring a beautifully presented three-tiered stand of freshly prepared delights.