Research Partnerships at Raby Castle

Working together with Durham University 

One of Raby’s most significant research partnerships is with Durham University. Building on almost a decade of successful collaboration, the two institutions recently formalised their relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

The partnership connects world-class research with one of the North East’s iconic heritage sites, creating opportunities to explore heritage, environment, energy and community engagement through collaborative projects. 

The agreement reflects a shared ambition to ensure research has real-world impact while enriching visitors’ understanding of Raby’s history and landscape. 

Exploring Raby’s Remarkable Furniture Collection 

Raby has partnered with the Furniture History Society through the British and Irish Furniture Makers Online project, a funded initiative that enables students and researchers to investigate the castle’s nationally significant collections and interiors. 

These projects have revealed fascinating new information about the craftsmanship, materials and stories behind objects that have furnished Raby’s rooms for centuries. 

Most recently, researchers examined the use of exotic woods within the furniture collection, helping to shed light on historical trade networks, craftsmanship and collecting practices. 

Food History and Historic Recipes 

Food has always played a central role in life at Raby, and an ongoing collaboration with Durham University explores how people lived, cooked and ate throughout the estate’s history. Researchers have investigated everything from produce grown within historic gardens to recipe books and household records preserved in the archives.  

Uncovering the Archaeological Landscape 

The estate’s long history stretches far beyond the castle walls. Through archaeological partnerships and academic research projects, new evidence is continually emerging about the people who lived and worked across the estate. Studies of archaeological finds, landscapes and former settlements are helping to reveal stories of historic communities and deepen our understanding of how the estate has evolved over time. 

Architecture and Building History 

Raby Castle itself remains a subject of ongoing research. One notable project saw Raby collaborate with the Castle Studies Trust on a comprehensive survey of the castle’s exterior. Using advanced scanning technology, researchers were able to gain new insights into the building’s development, identifying evidence of historic changes and helping to build a clearer picture of the castle’s architectural evolution over the centuries. 

Sharing Stories of the Raby Community 

Research is not limited to archives and academic studies. Personal memories and family histories also play an important role in understanding the estate’s past. 

We are always keen to hear from people with connections to Raby, whether through ancestors who worked at the castle, families who lived on the estate, or military and scouting activities connected to the grounds. 

If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. 

Wider Research Partnerships 

Alongside these projects, Raby works with a number of other academic partners and institutions, including: 

• The University of Sunderland 

• Northumbria University 

• The Northern School of Art