26th March 2026

A volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has finished in the top three in VisitEngland’s national Tourism Superstar award.

87-year-old Jimmy Nicol was one of ten finalists in the prestigious national competition which seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic experiences for visitors. The competition also showcases the variety and quality of England’s tourism offering, businesses and destinations.

Whilst Jimmy was awarded third place, Mick Hurst from Worcestershire’s Battle of Evesham historical events and re-enactments came out on top and Hull and East Yorkshire Volunteers took second place.

Jimmy secured his place in the national shortlist after winning Durham Tourism Superstar in 2025, an annual event organised by Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service.

He was nominated for the Durham award by a colleague at Raby Castle who highlighted his passion and energy as well as the role he takes on as an ambassador, not only for Raby but the whole of the North East.

Tim Dodgson, public engagement and learning officer at Raby Estates said: “Jimmy is one of the most caring people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working alongside and it’s a fantastic achievement for him to come third in such an important national competition.

“His endearing character and enthusiasm for Raby and the region shines through in everything he does and we’re lucky to have him as part of the team.”

Jimmy joined Raby in 2018 as a volunteer, sharing the castle’s fascinating history and has also been involved with meeting and greeting visitors at several Raby events.

Jimmy said: “Being part of the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar competition has been a truly incredibly experience and I am immensely grateful to everyone that has taken the time to vote for me.

“Representing Raby and the region was a huge honour and finishing in the top three is something that I will be forever proud of.”

Michelle Gorman, managing director, Visit County Durham said: “Jimmy is a fantastic example of the incredible people who make County Durham such a special place to visit. His warmth, knowledge, and genuine passion for Raby Castle, as well as the wider county, leave a lasting impression on everyone he meets. Coming third in VisitEngland’s national Tourism Superstar competition is a wonderful recognition of his dedication and expertise. We were incredibly proud to see him representing County Durham on the national stage and celebrating the very best of what our county has to offer.”

10th February 2026

A much-loved volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is representing County Durham and the wider North East in VisitEngland’s prestigious national Tourism Superstar competition, with public voting now open.

87-year-old Jimmy Nicol, a volunteer guide at Raby Castle, is one of just ten finalists shortlisted nationally in the Tourism Superstar award, which celebrates individuals working in tourism who go above and beyond to create outstanding visitor experiences while championing England’s diverse destinations.

Jimmy secured his place in the national finals after being crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2025, an annual award organised by Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service. He was nominated by a colleague at Raby Castle in recognition of his infectious enthusiasm, dedication and the ambassadorial role he plays not only for Raby, but for County Durham and the North East as a whole.

The national shortlist features finalists from destinations across England, including Norfolk, Leicestershire and Worcestershire, with Jimmy proudly flying the flag for County Durham alongside fellow North East finalist Dan Monk, Director of Astrophotography at Kielder Observatory in Northumberland. He is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts in night sky photography and has played a key role in showcasing Northumberland’s world-class dark skies to a global audience.

Jimmy joined Raby Castle as a volunteer in 2018, where he shares the castle’s fascinating history with visitors and supports major events across the estate, becoming a familiar and friendly face for thousands of visitors each year.

Duncan Peake, CEO at Raby Estates, said: “Jimmy’s dedication to both Raby Castle and County Durham is evident in everything he does. It is the enthusiasm and commitment of people like Jimmy that has helped establish County Durham as the popular visitor destination it is today.

“I would encourage everyone across the county and the wider North East to show their support and vote for Jimmy in the national Tourism Superstar competition.”

Michelle Gorman, Visit County Durham’s managing director said: “Jimmy is a fantastic example of the people who make County Durham such a special place to visit. His warmth, knowledge and genuine passion for Raby Castle and the wider county leave a lasting impression on everyone he meets. We are incredibly proud to see him representing County Durham on the national stage and wish him the very best of luck.”

Jimmy Nicol said: “Winning the Durham Tourism Superstar award was a wonderful feeling, and to now be representing Raby Castle and County Durham at a national level is a huge honour. Raby is a place that means a great deal to me, and I’m incredibly proud of the county and the region. To be nominated alongside such fantastic finalists is a real privilege.”

The winner of the national Tourism Superstar award is decided by public vote. Voting is open until the end of English Tourism Week (13–22 March 2026), with the overall winner announced later in the year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026.

VOTE HERE 

Flowers and food are some of the Valentine’s weekend delights that can be enjoyed at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens during the most romantic time of the year.

Taking place in the Riding School on Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th February, Deborah Simpson Boston, a local floral designer and owner of Periwinkle Barn, will be returning to Raby to host an inspiring Valentine’s workshop.

Deborah has over ten years of experience in event flowers and will be demonstrating how to create a beautiful everlasting dried flower wreath during her workshop using a vine wreath base and a carefully curated selection of dried flowers. Deborah will be using a selection of sustainably sourced flowers including British spring flowers, and will also be sharing sustainable floristry techniques.

A Pop-up Flower Shop Periwinkle Barn flower shop will be hosted within the horsebox outside the Coach House, Raby’s retail space, from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th February where visitors can purchase a seasonal bouquet to take home with them. Alternatively, the seasonal bouquets can be pre-ordered from the Coach House, which can be collected from the shop for Valentine’s Day or delivery of these special items can be arranged.

£30 | Mixed Flowers including roses

£40 | Mixed Flowers with additional roses

£50 | Mixed Flowers with twelve roses.

For those who are looking for a spot of indulgence, Raby will be hosting a Valentine’s afternoon tea in The Vinery on Friday 13th, Saturday 14^th Sunday 15th February between 2pm and 4pm.

Full of three delicious tiers of sweet treats, sandwiches and scones served with freshly brewed tea, the afternoon tea can be enjoyed whilst soaking up the panoramic views of Raby Castle.

Whilst at Raby Castle, visitors can amble through the romantic parkland, soak up the sights, sounds and smells during a wander through the peaceful Walled Gardens and delve into history during a tour through the medieval castle, then enjoy some retail therapy in The Coach House where a beautifully curated selection of produce and gifts await.

Ideal for a Valentine’s weekend activity or as a gift for a loved one, the Periwinkle Barn luxury everlasting Valentine’s wreath workshop will start at 11am on both Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th February and is £60 per person, with everything provided to create the finished piece.

The Glasshouse afternoon tea in The Vinery must be pre-booked and is £29.50 per person, and an afternoon tea with fizz is also available for £37.50 per person. A Glasshouse Afternoon Tea for two is £59.00.

A Raby Castle, Park and Gardens ticket is £23 for adults and for further information and to book tickets, visit: www.raby.co.uk/whats-on/

Work has begun on a collection of new high-quality homes in Staindrop at the East Leaze development.

Managed by Raby Homes, the housing scheme will deliver 72 new properties, from one and two-bedroom apartments, single story, to five-bedroom houses and also includes affordable housing.

The area to the west of Grice Court will also see the enhancement of public and open spaces, featuring tree and ornamental planting as well as a wildflower meadow with many of the existing trees and hedges retained.

Duncan Peake, CEO at Raby Estates said: “East Leaze takes its name following research into the history of the area within the archives at Raby Castle, with the earliest surviving map of this location dating from 1732. We thought it a respectful nod to the past to use this name whilst also looking forward to an exciting new chapter in local history.

“New homes in this location will support existing services within Staindrop village and will contribute towards meeting the housing requirements of the county. Over recent decades, we have seen amenities such as shops and pubs lost in many of our villages. New housing will bring economic benefits to Staindrop to help it thrive – supporting schools and local services.”

The design for the scheme was created by Ben Pentreath, one of the country’s leading architectural practices involved in the design of traditionally inspired new developments. Their work seeks to draw from the best of the past, making places that are timeless and long-lasting, and yet robustly designed for modern life.

Duncan added: “The key characteristics that define the original buildings of Staindrop have been the primary influence behind our housing design, creating a carefully crafted and planned extension to the village with a retained character.

“We’ve also incorporated a sustainable design that contributes positively to the area’s character, identity, heritage significance, townscape and landscape features, helping to create and reinforce locally distinctive and sustainable communities.”

The development of the homes will remain in the control of the Raby Estate to ensure design and build quality is maintained throughout. For further information, visit: www.rabyhomes.co.uk

Our New Year’s Day Charity Opening Raises an Impressive Total for End of Life Charity

 

The fundraising total following our New Year’s Day charity walk has been revealed, which will support the work of the UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie.

Visitors to our ever-popular charity walk through Raby’s picturesque Deer Park have raised over £6,300, which has been donated to Marie Curie to provide expert end of life care and support to people living with a terminal illness, and their families, across the North East.

Sophie Brown, sales and events manager at Raby Estates said: “The turnout to our first event of 2026 was incredible and it was wonderful to see so many people throughout the grounds supporting our charity of the year.

“Marie Curie’s work is so vitally important and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came to our charity walk and donated.”

Throughout the rest of the year, we will be raising funds and awareness of end of life and palliative care for Marie Curie.

Vicky Wilkinson-Rhea, Community Fundraiser at Marie Curie said: “We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to the team at Raby Estates for the opportunity to raise vital funds for Marie Curie during their annual charity opening earlier this month, as well as all the kind visitors who donated.

“The incredible amount raised will help to fund almost 275 hours of specialist Marie Curie care, supporting patients and their families when they need it most. With the continued support from Raby Estates in 2026, we can help to provide expert end of life care for people with any illness they’re likely to die from, and support for their families, in our hospice in Newcastle and where they live.”

To find out more about Marie Curie, please visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk

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. 

Book Now