Raby Castle Park & Gardens has been shortlisted for RHS Garden of the Year Award
We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the prestigious RHS Garden of the Year Awards, a recognition that celebrates not only beauty and design, but also innovation, sustainability and the nurturing of wildlife.
The stunning planting scheme within the Walled Gardens, created by world‑renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei, brings together purposefully chosen plants, including Mediterranean species, that offer evolving colours, textures and scents throughout the year. Raby’s dedicated gardening team continues to care for and develop this vision with exceptional skill and passion.
A Haven for Wildlife All Year Round
Welcoming wildlife is a core principle of the gardens’ design. In spring, the elegant Amelanchier trees burst into bloom before producing fruits that attract birds later in the year. The cutting garden’s annual umbellifers support hoverflies, natural predators of aphids, from late spring into early autumn.
As autumn arrives, Raby allows seed heads to remain standing through winter, creating vital habitats for invertebrates. This approach also encourages healthy soil through natural mycorrhizal activity and helps lock in carbon. Birds and insects benefit from the seeds, while the garden’s signature grasses provide shelter for moths and butterflies.
Visitors will also find rose hips, crab apples, redcurrants, hazels, walnuts, beech and oak, all of which offer food and refuge for wildlife throughout the year.
Sustainability at the Centre
Our commitment to sustainability continues to grow. Last year, bird boxes were installed along the garden walls, and nearly 40 bat boxes have since been added, supporting thriving populations of blue tits and local bat species.
The gardens are increasingly chemical‑free, and home‑made compost has helped many planting schemes flourish, including the productive garden, where apples, redcurrants and herbs are grown for use in The Vinery Cafe.
A ‘chop and drop’ method and a ‘no dig’ approach in the cutting garden protect soil structure and the micro‑organisms that support biodiversity. These practices have contributed to a noticeable increase in insect life, inspiring the installation of a bug hotel during the summer months, a feature that has also become a favourite learning spot for younger visitors.
Inspiring Visitors Through Nature
With the gardens thriving, Raby has introduced pollinator tours and daily gardening walk‑and‑talks, offering visitors the chance to learn more about the plants, wildlife and sustainable methods that make the Walled Gardens so special.
To complement this work, a rainwater harvesting system now provides an eco‑friendly water source, while the inclusion of drought‑tolerant Mediterranean plants reduces the need for artificial watering. A ground‑source heat pump has also been installed to warm the greenhouses, further supporting Raby’s long‑term sustainability goals.
Voting closes on the 21st September 2026, click HERE to vote for Raby Castle, Park & Gardens.