RABY ESTATES IS BRINGING BACK ITS UNLIMITED JANUARY OFFER

Raby Estates will be running an unlimited January entry again in 2026, following the positive feedback received during its first year.

The offer means visitors can return to the Estate’s popular attractions, including Raby Castle’s Deer Park and Walled Gardens and High Force Waterfall throughout January for free after purchasing an initial entry ticket.

Claire Jones, head of leisure and tourism at Raby Estates said: “The initiative last year was introduced to help combat the January blues and reinforce that the month can also be an optimistic time filled with resolutions and new routines.

“The entry offer was extremely popular during its first year in January 2025 and we’re looking forward to introducing it once again at the start of next year. It will enable our visitors to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of Raby – from winter landscapes, fresh air, and wildlife – as many times as they’d like with the knowledge that they’re doing so for the price of just one ticket, especially during a time of year where money can feel tight.

“Unlimited January also serves as a great way for our visitors to trial a Raby membership and decide if the year-round access will suit their lifestyle.”

A ticket to the Deer Park and Walled Gardens will allow walkers to explore the ancient parkland and witness deer feeds every weekend at 10.30am. Visitors can also amble at their leisure through the 18^th century Walled Gardens, remodelled by renowned designer Luciano Giubbilei and Raby’s custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard, and join a 12pm daily mindfulness garden tour led by Raby’s gardening team.

Becky Crowley, assistant head gardener at Raby Castle, looks after the gardens and ensures the vision of Luciano and Lady Barnard is fulfilled. She said: “In January, visitors can expect to witness the historic yew hedge, which is nearly 300 years old, often covered in frost, highlighting its impressive topiary structure, alongside other hedging including hornbeam and osmanthus.

“The lowlight coming through grasses and perennial seed heads, particularly in the west garden, is a sight to behold and our greenhouse will be populated with a spectacular array of plants to explore too.”

The Vinery Café, with stunning panoramic views of the medieval castle, will be introducing meals under £10 for January, along with Sunday lunches, providing visitors with the chance to sit back and relax with some comforting and hearty food during their day out.

Social Sundays will also be taking place throughout the month at both Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and High Force Waterfall, which include a guided walk around the picturesque locations from 11.30am. Suitable for all levels of walkers, the circular route at High Force highlights the beauty of the cascading waterfall, whilst younger visitors are entertained with a magical woodland sculpture trail along the way.

The unlimited January offer applies to High Force Waterfall, and Deer Park and Walled Gardens tickets purchased from the 2^nd to the 31^st January.

Visitors wishing to return should keep hold of their original ticket purchased in January and present it on re-entry.

A Deer Park and Gardens ticket is £14 for adults, £7 for children (aged 4-15 years) and a family ticket for two adults and two children is £44. Admission to High Force Waterfall is £3.95 for adults, £2.45 for children (aged 4-15 years) and under fours go free.

For further information and to book tickets, visit: www.raby.co.uk/events/an-unlimited-january/

 

Tourism Superstar finalists for 2026 VisitEngland has revealed the ten finalists to make the shortlist of its Tourism Superstar competition, including Jimmy Nicol who volunteers at Raby Castle, Park & Gardens. VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition, now in its 14th year, seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic experiences for visitors, as well as showcasing the variety and quality of England’s tourism offer, businesses and destinations. The ten finalists, individuals or teams, were selected from dozens of submissions from Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), destinations, employers and colleagues and cover all areas of tourism. The finalists will now go on to compete for the title of Tourism Superstar 2026 decided by a public vote and run on VisitEngland’s website in February and March 2026. VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “Our Tourism Superstar competition truly showcases the diversity of roles in our wonderful industry with all those involved demonstrating their passion for their places of work and destinations. It is their commitment to making visitors leave with magical memories that we are celebrating, and I encourage the public to show their support by voting for their favourite superstar. “From volunteers, guides, leaders in astro-tourism to chefs, holiday park employees and events teams, these finalists are already superstars. They strive to continuously improve the visitor experience, and I wish them every success when the competition opens in February 2026. Please do cast your vote!” VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2026 finalists are: Jimmy Nicol, volunteer guide at Raby Castle, County Durham Hull & East Yorkshire Volunteers (HEY! Volunteers), supporting culture, tourism and heritage, East Riding of Yorkshire Dan Monk, Director of Astrophotography Kielder Observatory, Northumberland Maurizio Bocchi, chef at La Locanda, Lancashire Coast & Country Parks Holiday Connoisseurs, Coast & Country Parks – Somerset, Devon & Cornwall Leicester’s Festivals and Events Team, Leicestershire Mick Hurst, Battle of Evesham Historical Events and Reenactments, Worcestershire Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength Theatre Walks, Bristol Badger Hide Guides Volunteers at Wild Haweswater, the RSPB at Wild Haweswater, Cumbria Cheryl Cade, Tour Guide, Norwich and Norfolk The public will be able to vote for their favourite superstar on VisitEngland’s website from early February when the competition officially opens. Short films of all the finalists, carrying out their duties in their tourism roles and promoting their local destinations, will be shown on VisitEngland’s website to support with voting. Voting will run until the end of English Tourism Week which in 2026 takes place from the 13-22 March. The finalist with the highest number of votes is crowned winner at the end of the competition with the Tourism Superstar award handed out at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 event in the summer. For more information on VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition go VisitEngland Tourism Superstar Awards UK | VisitBritain.org

Future Countryside, now in its fourth year, has become the leading national forum for leaders, policymakers and rural communities to debate and shape the future of Britain’s countryside. Uniting a unique coalition of organisations and individuals, it drives a shared commitment to a sustainable, resilient countryside that is a cornerstone of national progress and belongs to everyone. Its flagship 2026 conference will take place at Raby Castle, Park, and Gardens, County Durham, in June next year.

Future Countryside 2026 will explore how the countryside can drive national priorities, from food security and environmental stewardship to health, wellbeing and social prescribing. It will also shine a spotlight on opportunities for young people and on building stronger connections between rural and urban communities, ensuring the countryside has a strong voice in shaping the national agenda while demonstrating its power to inspire unity, resilience and renewal.

Lord Barnard, who will host the event at Raby Castle, said:

“The Future Countryside Event is a forum for creative thought and debate on some of the most difficult issues facing our precious rural environment. It brings together some of the most influential rural leaders from diverse backgrounds and professional experience. I’m delighted that the event is coming to the north of England next year and that Raby will be hosting. Much has changed here in recent years, and I hope our own experiences will contribute to the conversation.”

Lord Herbert of South Downs, Chair of Future Countryside, added:

“Future Countryside 2026 will be a chance to put rural Britain at the heart of national political debate. The decisions taken in the coming years will shape the lives, livelihoods and landscapes of generations to come. Holding the event at Raby Castle symbolises both tradition and renewal, and we are proud to be convening voices from every part of the rural sector in such a historic setting.”

With its unique coalition of farming, conservation, business, community and political interests, Future Countryside has established itself as the leading forum for charting a resilient and sustainable rural future.

For more information, visit www.futurecountryside.org/future-countryside-2026.

A leading north east lifestyle destination has introduced a new wellness programme, designed to encourage renewal, reflection and reconnection in the new year.

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has teamed up with holistic wellness brand, Guid-ed, to create the Raby Reset, a four-part series featuring workshops and meditation sessions to encourage attendees to slow down, release old patterns and reconnect to who they truly are to create a lasting change for the year ahead.

Blending science with spirituality and taking place in Raby’s Riding School every Sunday throughout January, the Raby Reset will be led by the founder of Guid-ed, Lucy Pringle, who is a holistic counsellor, meditation teacher and Reiki practitioner.

Lucy said: “I’ve been on the brink of burnout myself and I knew I needed to make a change to not only recover from this, but to improve my health and wellbeing long-term. Through the techniques included in the Raby Reset series, I’ve been able to learn how to reconnect with my body, regulate my nervous system and heal from within.

“The immersive wellness experiences incorporate guided meditation, hypnotic suggestion, and reiki healing to create deep, lasting change on both a cellular and energetic level. The sessions have been curated to support individuals in living in alignment with their values, building emotional resilience, and cultivating a deep sense of peace and purpose.

“It’s easy to begin 2026 with a new set of resolutions and aspirations, but it’s not quite as easy to stick with these, and we’ll be demonstrating the techniques to create healthy habits and establish the foundations to ensure you keep going.”

All workshops will include a short breathwork series and will end with a visualisation meditation that weaves in hypnotic suggestions to lock in change. Guests will also receive journal prompts to reflect on after the session.

Sophie Brown, sales and events manager at Raby Estates added: “The Raby Reset will be a safe space for all, no matter if this is your first time trying out something like this or if you’re experienced in these methods.

“Lucy has purposefully designed the series so you can take part in all four sessions, experiencing something different each time, or participate in the ones that are the most appealing to you.

“Whilst we often feel more empowered these days to take our health into our own hands, it can feel overwhelming with the vast information that is available online, and the Raby Reset has been carefully curated to provide a fantastic starting point and introduction to the steps we can take moving forward.”

The Raby Reset will be taking place on Sunday 4^th, 11^th, 18^th and 25^th January and each session is £25 per adult.

WELLNESS FOUNDATIONS: Sunday 4th January

Theme: Building the Foundations for a Healthier, Aligned You

Focus: Anti-inflammatory living, blood sugar balance, low-tox lifestyle, nervous system regulation, gut health, and mind–body rewiring

Intention: To empower participants with simple, sustainable wellness habits that reduce inflammation, balance energy, support the gut, and regulate the nervous system, creating a strong foundation for long-term vitality and alignment.

Takeway: Participants leave with a clear, actionable understanding of how to support their body daily through food, movement, mindset, and energy. They’ll receive a simple wellness foundations checklist, blood sugar balance cheat sheet, and journal prompts to continue their inner and outer transformation.

 RELEASE & RESET: Sunday 11th January 

To release old patterns, habits, and emotional residue from the past year so participants can begin the new year with a grounded, peaceful foundation.

Theme: Letting Go & Creating Space for the New

Focus: Nervous system regulation, boundaries, and energetic clearing

Intention: To release old patterns, habits, and emotional residue from the past year so participants can begin the new one from a grounded, peaceful foundation.

Takeaway: Participants leave feeling lighter, centered, and clear, with tools to regulate their energy and protect their peace. They will also be given journal prompts to reflect on.

ALIGN & ACTIVATE – Sunday 18th January

Theme: Alignment, Authenticity & Living by Your Values

Focus: Understanding alignment and how to live in integrity with your truth

Intention: To guide guests to discover what truly matters to them, so their goals, habits, and energy for the year are rooted in authenticity and alignment.

Takeaway: Guests gain a deep sense of self-awareness and clarity, a compass for making aligned decisions for the year ahead. Journal prompts to reflect on after the session and to prep for week 4 for those attending.

Cacao ritual in line with the new moon calling in alignment and intentions. Collaborating with Ancient + Brave to bring you their cacao.

ENVISION MANIFEST & RECEIVE – Sunday 25th January

Theme: Manifestation, Intention Setting & Accountability

Focus: Goal-setting through the lens of alignment and energetic readiness

Intention: To help guests clearly define and energetically align with what they want to create and who they want to be in 2026, from an embodied, magnetising state.

Takeaway: Guests leave aligned, empowered, and energetically open with clear intentions and embodied belief in what they’re calling in. Journal prompts and clarity on how to create a vision board and become their dream self.

If you take part in all four Raby Reset sessions, you receive a complimentary good bag, 30 minute coaching session with Lucy over the telephone and a guided meditation mp3 download. 

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Thank you indeed to all our supporters for your generous support for this year’s ICR Climb of Life Appeal. 15 Raby walkers and assorted dogs gathered at the Old Dungeon Ghyll car park in Great Langdale on Friday morning set off to climb Bowfell and Crinkle Crags at around 9.00 am.    

To our enormous relief, the weather was better than anticipated. The forecast for days had been for solid rain, but Friday dawned dry, albeit cloudy and cold, with the cloud base just above the fell tops. As we ascended Rossett Gill towards Angle Tarn, wind speeds began to increase and by the time we reached the summit of Bowfell we were walking into the teeth of a gale. As we descended Bowfell, we managed to find a sheltered spot for lunch before moving onto Crinkle Crags.

Wind speeds increased even further during the afternoon, and by the time we reached the summit of Crinkle Crags we were practically clinging to the mountain. Fortunately, our descent to the valley took us down the lee side of the mountain which provided some relief from the strong winds. At around 4.15 pm we returned to the valley after completing 12 miles across challenging terrain and over 5,000 feet of ascent. It had been a tough day!

This year’s event raised £103,000 overall for ICR and I am pleased to confirm that Raby made one of the largest single team contributions of just over £11,000.

This year’s grand total means that this annual event has now raised over £2 million during the 37 years that it has been taking place, with over £1.2 million raised for the Institute of Cancer Research during that period.  This, of course, would not have been possible without your generous support.  All of us at Raby and at the ICR are enormously grateful to you. Many thanks once again for your support and your donation.

Duncan Peake, CEO

Just Giving Page

Raby Castle, Park and Garden’s recent development, known as ‘The Rising’ won in the Georgian Group Architectural Awards for the reuse of a Georgian Building.

Part of ‘The Rising’ included a magnificent suite of 18th-century equestrian buildings which have been fully restored as part of a wider regeneration project. Over the last two years, three beautiful buildings have been given a future. The Grade II* listed Coach House and Stables by John Carr of York, originally housing carriage horses, carriages and grooms’ accommodation, had latterly become a small café and shop. The Riding School used to provide cover for events in inclement weather. Finally, the Grade II* listed Dutch Barn, a hidden architectural gem, has been restored after falling out of use over recent years.

All three buildings have been sympathetically renovated and repurposed by the Raby workforce supported by specialist consultants and contractors, to high standards, using appropriate materials from locally-sourced slate to salvaged estate stonework.

To achieve this, the Raby in-house team was expanded under the supervision of experienced heritage building specialists. Full roof and fabric repairs, new flooring, including areas of underfloor heating drawing from local ground-sourced heat, careful interior design, and landscaping in the surrounding area using largely local reclaimed materials have created three public-facing spaces at the heart of a transformed visitor experience. Built for the Earls of Darlington, keen horsemen, hunters, race-horse breeders and trainers, these buildings have been placed into their historic context and can now be shared with visitors.

Read more here.

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and Durham-based Periwinkle Barn have joined forces to create a new floristry residency and bespoke workshops for visitors.

The new collaboration will be hosted within The Conservatory in Raby’s Walled Gardens, where Deborah Simpson Boston, a floral designer and owner of Periwinkle Barn, has worked with Raby’s team of experts to create a beautifully designed flower pop-up shop.

The retail space, featuring seasonal bouquets, tools and books about gardening and floristry, will be within the central space of The Conservatory, alongside an exhibition area detailing the history of Raby’s 18^th century Walled Gardens and a space where Deborah will host a series of workshops on selected dates.

Deborah said: “Everything is so beautiful and well thought out here at Raby – it really is a dream place to work with its calming and soothing atmosphere. I hosted workshops at Raby Castle in the summer which was a fantastic introduction and I’m really looking forward to my ongoing residency here for the next few months. The winter period will bring seasonal workshops including wreath making, tablescapes and so much more.”

Deborah returned to the Durham countryside after studying and working in Brighton and London and has been growing delicate and romantic stems from her 400-year-old barn since 2022. She has over ten years of experience in event flowers and created the flower display for the 2025 Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, which was attended by His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

With a passion for British flowers, sustainability is also a keen focus for Deborah at Periwinkle Barn. She said: “I’ve made the conscious decision to work as sustainably as possible, growing and using seasonal British stems from spring to autumn. From late autumn to winter, I source stems which are as sustainable as possible without chemicals or pesticides.

“My ethos closely aligns with Raby’s – there’s a wonderful synergy between us both and it’s brilliant to work with like-minded people.”

During her residency, Deborah will be working closely with Raby’s assistant head gardener, Becky Crowley, to utilise the cutting garden at Raby and what is available there seasonally, which will also provide an interactive element to the Periwinkle Barn workshops.

Becky said: “Deborah has designed a fantastic series of workshops for our visitors to enjoy, focusing on different flowers and floral creations, incorporating a wide variety of methods to learn too. They will be taught from a sustainable point of view whilst also making use of the flowers we have available in our cutting garden and have been thoughtfully designed so visitors can take part in them as an entire series, a selection or even just a standalone experience.”

The Periwinkle Barn workshops will focus on a floral meadow box, hand-tied floral arrangements and urn arrangements alongside a selection of seasonal and festive creations, from advent candle wreaths and luxury Christmas wreaths to Christmas garlands and table arrangements including pots and bouquets.

The workshops will take place on the following dates between 10am and 12pm and tickets are between £50 and £70 per person:

• Floral Meadow Box on Saturday 1^st November
• Hand-tied Floral Arrangement on Saturday 8^th November
• Dutch Masters Urn and Fruit on Saturday 15^th November
• Seasonal Tablescape on Saturday 22^nd November
• Advent Candle Wreath on Sunday 23rd November
• Luxury Christmas Wreath on Friday 5th December and Saturday 6th December
• Luxury Door Swag on Sunday 7th December and Sunday 14th December
• Christmas Wreath on Friday 12th December
• Luxury Christmas Wreaths on Saturday 13th December
• Christmas Table Arrangement Pot on Saturday 20th December
• Christmas Table Arrangement Bouquet on Sunday 21st December
• Christmas Garland on Monday 22nd December and Tuesday 23rd December
• Christmas Table Arrangement on Wednesday 24th December

The Conservatory featuring the Periwinkle Barn residency will be open between 10am and 4pm, Thursday – Sunday, where visitors can also place bespoke wreath orders with Deborah in the build up to Christmas, and delivery of these special festive items can be arranged.

To find out more about the Periwinkle Barn floristry residency at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and to book workshop tickets, visit: www.raby.co.uk/events/raby-x-periwinkle-barn/

Visit County Durham has launched a major national destination marketing campaign to inspire consumers to make Durham their next stop for a staycation, positioning the county as
a must-visit destination for UK holidaymakers.  Running from autumn 2025 to spring 2026, ‘Next Stop, Durham’ will highlight the county’s wealth of world-class attractions and events, outdoor adventures, hands-on history, and exceptional food and drink, and is designed to influence consumers to stop, stay,and explore everything the county has to offer.

Visit County Durham – Durham County Council’s tourism service – is delivering the campaign in partnership with visitor economy businesses including The Auckland Project, Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Locomotion, Raby Estates, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, The Bowes Museum, and Dalton Park, with additional support from accommodation providers Lumley Castle, Seaham Hall Hotel, and Radisson Blu Durham. It comes as last year’s campaign reached over 18m people and contributed an estimated £165m visitor spend – the Local Visitor Economy Partnership is confident in delivering even greater results in the future.

The new campaign taps into a key opportunity as many people travel through County Durham by road or rail on their way to well-known tourist destinations such as York, Edinburgh, or the Lake District. ‘Next Stop, Durham’ aims to change that as consumers are now actively looking for alternative locations and new experiences, making the county perfectly placed to capitalise as a rising star in the UK staycation market.

It is set to further support the strong performance of the county’s visitor economy, which generated a record £1.38 billion in 2024, an 11.7% increase on 2023. Latest figures show 8% of the county’s visitors staying overnight, but contributing 43% of all expenditure, which is why growing the volume of visitors staying for longer breaks is a key priority for the campaign.  As part of Visit County Durham’s commitment to positioning the county as a year round destination, the campaign aims to extend the visitor season—bringing long-term benefits to local businesses and communities.
Duncan Peake, Chair of Visit County Durham and Chief Executive of Raby Estates, said:  “We’re proud to be part of this high-profile national campaign, working in partnership to benefit the county’s visitor economy. By teaming up with partners across the sector for the Next Stop Durham campaign, Visit County Durham can deliver additional, high-profile marketing activity that shines a light on just how much there is to do in County Durham. It is important to highlight the county’s visitor offer which includes award-winning attractions, incredible heritage and fantastic places to eat and drink.”

Cllr Karen Allison, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Regeneration and High Street, Durham County Council said: “Encouraging visitors to make County Durham their next stop is an important message, as evidence shows that many potential visitors pass through the county instead of taking the time to stay and explore. By highlighting the huge amount there is to do we are encouraging people to not just visit County Durham but to stay longer, which is crucial to supporting tourism businesses and delivering sustainable economic growth.”

The Next Stop Durham campaign will reach audiences through national media partnerships and editorials, influencer campaigns, digital advertising across key platforms, and high impact out-of-home advertising. With strong partnerships, bold messaging, and a clear mission, Next Stop Durham is set to put the county firmly on the map for UK travellers looking for their next great escape.

Raby Castle will be opening its doors during the festive period for the first time in five decades to show the castle decorated for Christmas, designed by custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard.

This will be a chance for visitors to experience how the Vane family enjoyed Christmas at the Castle and see the rooms beautifully decorated as they would have been in the past, the family’s traditional gifts, flowers and sumptuous Christmas trees.

The journey will take visitors through eight rooms on the ground floor, telling the story of Christmas Day at the castle, from the early morning thrill of opening a Christmas stocking to an evening of elegant dining and Christmas games, featuring an impressive table setting ready for a spectacular festive meal.

Lady Barnard said: “I have had a wonderful time collecting these beautiful pieces from Christmas past as well as my present family traditions, bringing to life our personal and honest telling of how our ancestors would have celebrated the day right here at Raby Castle all those years ago.”

This special seasonal installation, available on selected dates from Saturday 22^nd November to Sunday 4^th January, will also include never-before-seen items from the collections at Raby Castle.

Lady Barnard added: “I have been discovering even more about Raby’s past and delving into cupboards to find bits and pieces which haven’t been seen in years. Our family would have made many of the decorations themselves and foraged in the grounds for foliage, and it’s been a pleasure emulating this beautiful and sustainable way of decorating.

“This is the first Christmas we’ll be decorating the castle and for those that know Raby will appreciate that working at such scale can be daunting, but the team and I have given it careful thought over the year and feel we have really complimented the essence of Raby. I’m also keen for it to have a personal touch for our visitors – that’s why my team and I will be dressing the rooms ourselves. I hope our visitors see the personal touches throughout.”

A bespoke introductory film, based on the format of the much-loved poem ‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas’, will also feature in the House Keeper’s Sitting Room to set the scene and tell the story of that period, before visitors embark on their journey through the rooms.

Julie Biddlecombe-Brown, curator at Raby Castle, said: “We’ve researched the Raby archives in detail to ensure our Christmas Day telling is as accurate as possible, focusing on the early 1900s. We’ve looked at the Christmas cards the family gave each other, the toys received by the three boys who lived at Raby at the time and their gifts to their parents, what the family would have eaten on the day and the type of wine that would have been served. We even have gift boxes with labels detailing who the present was from and the year, meaning we’re able to provide a truthful snapshot of the family’s festive experiences.

“We haven’t guessed any of the details, and what our visitors will see is something that is true to Raby and an honest portrayal of an Edwardian Christmas – one that Lord Barnard’s great grandfather would have experienced.”

Raby Castle at Christmas will be available between 10am and 4pm and visitors can round off their day at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens with a festive afternoon tea at The Vinery.

A candlelit experience will also take place on Saturday 13^th and 20^th December, where visitors can experience the elegantly decorated castle rooms in a different and magical light, followed by late night shopping for festive gifts at Raby’s retail space, the Coach House.

Tickets to Christmas at the Castle are £22 for adults, £7 for children (up to 15 years) and a family ticket for two adults and two children is £55. Under fours go free. These tickets include entry to Christmas at the Castle and access to the Walled Gardens and Deer Park.

For tickets to Raby Castle at Christmas, visit: www.raby.co.uk/events/raby-castle-at-christmas/. An early bird ticket rate featuring a 10% discount with code RCC10 is available for tickets purchased before 31^st October.

To find out more about Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and all that is on offer for Christmas, and to book tickets, visit: www.raby.co.uk/christmas/