Raby

Get ready for The Rising

The Rising is an ambitious development at Raby Castle.

Think acres of unexpected elegance, complete with heritage buildings, remodelled gardens, stylish shopping and local food that’s as fresh as it gets.

Imagine a backdrop of unspoilt rural landscapes and one of the finest medieval castles in England. A destination with a difference, where visitors of every generation can discover County Durham’s thrilling past and promising future.

Prepare for a place where heritage is celebrated, where the beauty lies it’s simplicity, and where the welcome is always genuine.

Boldly ambitious

The development name – The Rising – combines Raby’s rich history as the home of one of Britain’s most notorious plots, the Rising of the North, with a promise of growth, energy and ambition.

And The Rising is nothing short of ambitious, both in terms of scope and scale. Within the setting of Raby Castle, it comprises three heritage buildings, two thoughtful new constructions and a visionary walled garden comprising three striking sections: East, formal and West.

All aspects of the scheme bear the distinctive Raby trademark of simple, honest design combined with the Estate’s characteristic energy and spirit.

A not-so-secret garden

The Rising’s Walled Garden has been reimagined 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. In doing so, they have retained the gardens’ distinctive spirit; one in which the character of Raby and its rich history is deeply embedded.

Beautifully framed views and an unrivalled air of tranquillity have put Raby on the map of notable English gardens, and will delight horticultural novices and enthusiasts alike.

A character-packed venue

The Riding School is an 18th century architectural gem reimagined as a flexible 500sqm event space, retaining plenty of its individual character along the way.

We’ve kept the aspects that make The Riding School unique – textured walls, authentically irregular lines shaped by centuries of use, and solid timber beams – but added underfloor heating, subtle space dividers and a neutral colour palette so that you can truly make the space your own.

Perfect for parties, conferences and exhibitions, The Riding School’s distinctive features and stunning parkland setting make it an unmatched venue for all kinds of special events.

Latest News

Raby Castle wins Visitor Economy Award at The County Durham Together Award

Raby Castle wins the Visitor Economy Award category in The Northern Echo, County Durham Together Awards 2023 held at Hardwick Hall on Wednesday 6th December 2023. The Visitor Economy Award recognises an individual, organisation or business who has play a vital role in promoting the county as a safe and great place to visit for staycationeers, […]

Sustainable Future for The Rising Development

Raby Castle and Estate, in the heart of County Durham, is committed to sustainability as part of its highly ambitious two-year redevelopment and restoration plan, known locally as The Rising. The Estate has drilled two exploratory geothermal boreholes to identify whether a renewable energy source will help meet the annual heating requirements of The Rising […]

Bookings Open at Raby Castle’s New Event Spaces

The Rising development has marked a momentous milestone, as bookings for 2024 events open in its magnificent new events spaces. The iconic spaces will welcome guests to enjoy unique events opportunities in the stunning historical surroundings. The Rising project has seen the restoration and repurposing of two heritage buildings, just beyond the Castle walls, known […]