Families can travel through time and space this February half term in a series of new activities across Raby Estates.
At Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, a time-travelling adventure awaits at the servant school in the medieval castle, designed to provide a hands-on way for children to explore history and experience the day-to-day jobs of a castle servant over 100 years ago.
Families can venture through the 14th century castle and have a go at some special tasks along the way – from household chores to helping the family prepare for supper. Children can also complete activities on the complimentary trail sheet to earn gold coin stamps and be given their very own wage slip at the end.
Tim Dodgson, Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator at Raby Castle said: “Around 1.5 million people worked in domestic service in 1900, from regular households to palaces and castles. And surprisingly, it offered opportunities for a varied career and progression. You could start as a scullery maid or stewards room boy and work up to the senior roles of Housekeeper or Butler, with a whole variety of jobs along the way.
“We’ve brought to life many of these important roles and people from Raby’s past in the restored rooms on our castle tour, but our servant school will shine a light on Raby’s history for our younger visitors and ensure learning about history is even more fun. It’s going to be a fantastic addition for the February half term alongside the return of our themed castle explorer tours.”
Another journey to the past awaits at Raby’s woodland adventure playground, The Plotters’ Forest. For the first school holiday of 2026, Raby has created a world of wonder in its new Dragon Quest, with clues dotted around its immersive play area that young knights and dames will need to find as they dash through.
Children can enjoy plenty of outdoor fun as they explore the woodland route at The Plotters’ Forest, featuring musical instruments, talking tubes, mischief mirrors, a giant memory game, spinning signposts, towers, climbing ladders, a slide and treetop tunnels.
Throughout the castle grounds, complimentary daily activities include seed sowing inside the greenhouse in the Walled Gardens, where children can also run through the series of unique mazes in the formal garden, and a winter gardeners’ walk and talk led by one of Raby’s expert gardeners. Visitors can also marvel at the red and fallow deer being fed in the scenic Deer Park at 10.30am on the weekends.
The Vinery Café will be serving delicious lunches throughout the half term as well as a pancake topping station until Friday 20th February, followed by a waffle topping station from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th February for those who are looking to get creative with their desserts in the afternoon. Families can also head to the Garage Café and the Plotters’ Pantry for hot chocolates and sweet treats.
Over at High Force Waterfall, a 30-minute drive from Raby Castle, families can explore all things astronomy for the half term with a new space adventure trail, whilst visiting the natural phenomenon renowned for some of the darkest skies in the country.
Space-themed clues and facts will be discovered when wandering through the winding woodlands and families can tick them off on the complimentary trail sheet along the way to reveal the mystery word.
Andrew Lindsay, general manager at High Force Hotel and Waterfall said: “We host our sell-out Stargazing Suppers at High Force throughout the winter months, and our family stargazing sessions also proved to be extremely popular last October.
“Building on this theme, we can’t wait to introduce our space explorer trail for the half term, which I’m sure will spark curiosity in the young space cadets who visit, as they enjoy the perfect way to explore the wonders of the night sky, during the day. We hope to see many of the families visiting the waterfall at the hotel too, as they take a moment to treat themselves to some lunch after their inter-galactic adventures.”
High Force will continue to run its family saver ticket for the February half term, which admits two adults and two children to the waterfall. This ticket is £10 when purchased online, or £12 onsite.
Raby’s Family Explorer ticket is available for £60 when purchased online and provides two adults and two children with access-all-areas, including the new activities at the castle and the Plotters’ Forest and entry to Raby’s picturesque Deer Park and Walled Gardens. Alternatively, the Family Explorer ticket can be purchased at Raby on the day for £65.
The pancake and waffle topping stations in The Vinery are £5.95 per child, with adult options also available.
All activities run through to Sunday 1st March, with the Dragon Quest trail extended until Sunday 29th March. For further information and to book tickets, visit: www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/whats-on/
