The Green Tourism awards are acknowledged worldwide as an indicator of good environmentally-friendly practice and act as a hallmark of ‘green quality’.
Raby Castle submitted evidence across multiple criteria including its investments in renewable energy at The Rising scheme which include the geothermal heating network.
In addition, the award recognises Raby’s commitment to minimising packaging and the environmental credentials of the cleaning and conservation chemicals it uses.
Raby Castle’s sustainability manager, Victoria Cadman, has worked alongside the dedicated team to complete the award application. Victoria began her role last year after previously working as an environmental scientist with over 25 years consulting and advisory experience for private and public sector clients around the world.
Victoria said: “We’re all incredibly pleased that we have been given a silver Green Tourism Award in this assessment – it is a fantastic achievement for Raby Castle and a reflection of the hard work of the whole team.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Raby who has helped us along the way, in their dedication to making improvements as we continue our Green journey.
“We’re very proud of what we are achieving across the estate and following the helpful advice and feedback Green Tourism has provided, we will continue to progress and aim for gold following the opening of the Rising in late spring this year.”
By earning a Green Tourism award, businesses are demonstrating they take environmental considerations seriously and are making practical steps to tackle issues such as energy efficiency, water saving and waste reduction.
Raby Castle’s highest score was within travel, focusing on how the attraction works to mitigate and reduce the environmental impact of the travel associated with the business.
Examples included a bike to work scheme that is available for all employees and the installation of ten EV charging points as part of the new development at the castle, which will be opening in late spring.
The award follows the agreement of a sustainability strategy for the whole estate, after a three-month review of operations.
The strategy, which will underpin Raby’s future business planning, focuses on three themes – minimising its impacts, enhancing biodiversity, and investing in local communities around the estate.
Thirteen commitments have been made, from reducing Raby’s carbon footprint to supporting lifelong learning and active leisure.
On a beautiful morning in County Durham, staff and volunteers donned their boots and binoculars to take part in the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Big Farmland Bird Count. Ably assisted by the Estate’s keepers, each team spent half an hour spotting birds across various fields, parks and hedgerow sites in both the Durham and Shropshire Estates. Whilst the event’s main aim was to support GWCT in understanding the species and numbers of birds in the landscape, it was also a great opportunity for different people, from different departments, to get together, get to know one another a little better, have a little bit of fresh air and exercise, and a lot of fun.
The most frequently spotted types of birds were corvids – rooks, crows and jackdaws and gulls – herring gulls, black-headed gulls and common gulls in the main. However, in Durham, the single most identified bird was the Lapwing, a UK priority species, which has suffered declining populations across the country due to changing farming practices since the 1970s. Other birds identified included game birds – mostly pheasants; ubiquitous pigeons and starlings; raptors, including buzzards, a barn owl and a single red kite; herons and other waterfowl, typically teal, shelduck, mallards and moorhens, whilst songbirds, like blue tits, thrushes and various finches, despite their very audible chittering and noisy clamouring in the bushes, were not actually seen in more than ones and twos at most of the sites.
Meanwhile, in Shropshire, despite the poor weather, the Raby Shropshire Team managed to spot a more colourful array in the gloom: greenfinches, goldfinches, linnets and yellowhammers were seen across varied areas of cover crops, wild bird seed mixes, hedgerows and arable land. It was the first time that Raby has taken part in the survey, which will now continue each year to enable us to gather valuable information on the birds present across the Estate and hopefully track the impact of the various Environmental Stewardship and wildlife friendly farming initiatives we have adopted across the land.
Raby Castle will be opening its gates for the 2024 season on Friday 1st March with an exciting new addition to its popular tour.
The Housekeeper’s Sitting Room has been given a new lease of life as a reimagined visitor welcome space and will provide visitors with an additional snapshot into the fascinating history of the 14th century castle.
A new introductory video will be projected onto the wall of the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room for visitors to enjoy, detailing how the castle has developed through generations of Nevilles and Vanes; the two families to have owned Raby in its long history.
A delicate family tree mural has also been thoughtfully added to the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room. Created by illustrator Lucy Roscoe, it shows two intertwining trees representing the Neville and Vane lines and highlights the individuals who owned the castle. Acorns and leaves represent the wives and children, and the motifs within the tree have been inspired by the archives and collections.
The room was formerly used as the daily office space of Raby’s Housekeeper, the highest-ranking female servant in the household and has been thoughtfully restored by Raby’s in-house team with specialist guidance from historic paint specialist Charles Hesp.
Julie Biddlecombe-Brown, curator at Raby Castle, said: “Part of our inspiration for the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room was Raby’s Housekeeper from the early 20th century, Mrs. Millard, who we first encountered from details of her wages in the archives.
“One of her many responsibilities was to show important guests around while the family were away, and our new interpretation space will similarly introduce visitors to the history of the castle. The voiceover is a gentle reference to the story of Raby that would be told by the housekeeper to guests.”
Items which reflect the role of a housekeeper have also been added to the room. The display represents their working life and the items they needed to conduct their daily duties – from an administrative role, which involved keeping accounts and employing, managing and paying workers, to their responsibility for the valuable contents of the house such as linen and china.
Keys and personal effects, including a photograph of Mrs. Millard herself, will be on show alongside cookery and household management books which were donated to the castle by former curator, Mrs Elizabeth Steele.
China, which has been historically stored in the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room’s large china cupboards, represents some of the different sets Raby has in its collection and is a nod to the Housekeeper’s responsibility to keep all crockery and glass safe, clean and organised, ready to be used by the family.
Raby Castle has also made a further change to its tour for 2024. For mobility impaired visitors who are not able to access the full tour, a new touch screen in the Entrance Hall will allow them to digitally explore the rooms and read information inspired by the room notes used by the volunteers.
These exciting new additions are arriving during a momentous year for Raby Castle. This spring will see the opening of its new visitor experience, The Rising, which includes the remodelled Walled Garden. Historic and iconic buildings previously hidden from view have been renovated and repurposed to create elegant retail space and magnificent event and exhibition spaces, alongside a stylish new restaurant and visitor information hub, all intertwined with beautifully landscaped meandering walkways.
With so many exciting adventures to be had at Raby Castle this season, a membership is the best way to enjoy access to everything and anything Raby Castle has to offer*. The Raby Estate membership begins from £15 per year for children from 4 to 12-years-old, with family passes starting at £80 (two adults and three children), with benefits including admission to Raby Castle, the Deer Park and High Force Waterfall and 10% off at the shop, café and High Force Hotel. A Plotters’ Forest adventure playground extension is available.
More information and opening times can be found on the website www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/
*The membership excludes special events.
The Rising at Raby Castle, has already created 30 jobs and we aim to deliver many more for the region when it opens this spring.
Historic buildings restored over the past two years have been given a new lease of life creating high-end retail, events and hospitality spaces for all visitors to enjoy.
The scheme, which has been the ambition of Lord and Lady Barnard who want to make Raby Castle more accessible to the community, and benefit the local economy, is now advertising for key positions in the hospitality, retail, tourism and gardening departments, as The Rising prepares to open its doors later this year and begin the next chapter in Raby Castle’s fascinating history.
A key area of the restoration project is the recreation of the historic glass house into a beautiful dining destination with stunning panoramic views of Raby Castle. The Vinery Restaurant will provide many unique career opportunities including our newly appointed sous chef, a Food and Beverage Supervisor and a bakery and pastry chef
There has been a significant investment in a new kitchen facility at the stylish new eatery to enable Raby to produce home baked artisan breads and a range of pastries, alongside menus celebrating estate produce and use of seasonal flavours from the gardens for visitors to enjoy. A key benefit for these hospitality roles will be the predominate daytime hours, a fantastic perk for work life balance.
The stunning remodelled five-acre garden reimagined by world renowned designer Luciano Giubbilei alongside Lady Barnard will also see new roles appointing two estate gardeners supporting with the maintenance and harmony of this iconic horticultural creation.
Claire Jones, head of leisure and tourism at Raby Castle, said: “The momentum is building now as we near the final stages of this ground-breaking development which will enhance our visitor attractions for generations to come and create a leading tourist destination in the north of England.
“We are looking for truly remarkable individuals to join our existing team of talented staff who share a passion and enthusiasm for this wonderful place.”
These roles include the appointment of a retail manager who will oversee the new shop in the Coach House, selling a selection of homeware and gifts, displayed on reclaimed furniture from across the estate alongside an Assistant Retail Manager and Retail Assistant. The Leisure and Tourism team are currently hiring a new Marketing and Events Executive to assist with the digital marketing to drive business aswell as planning and executing spectacular events in our fantastic locations. We are also looking for a dynamic, hardworking and experienced housekeeper to maintain high levels of cleanliness within the newly developed visitor facilities. As well as providing a unique opportunity to work in extraordinary locations across this beautiful country estate, these roles offer a fast paced and varied position for someone bursting with energy, who is passionate about providing exemplary service.
Laura Evans in the newly created business development executive role and Tim Marshall as head gardener.
Laura will be responsible for showcasing everything Raby Estate has to offer following the opening of the unrivalled development scheme, including its corporate experiences and events spaces for a range of uses.
Head gardener Tim Marshall has managed the two-year project to transform the historic Walled Garden – working with world-class garden designer Luciano Giubbilei and is now supporting landscape architect Alastair Baldwin on the wider landscape.
Raby has continued the tradition of supporting younger generations by providing apprenticeships, placements and training programmes and where possible has hired north east based contractors and suppliers.
Raby Estates also offers the opportunity to work across the wider estate in extraordinary locations with job roles in departments ranging from farming, land management, forestry, property maintenance and restoration. The Estate are currently recruiting for a Seasonal Harvest Worker to lead on corn, rolling and secondary cultivations as well as non-tractor related tasks working on a variety of crops.
For full details about the new vacancies at Raby Castle, head to: www.raby.co.uk/careers
For further information on The Rising, please visit: www.raby.co.uk/about-us/development/raby-castle-development/
In the rolling hills of County Durham, nestled within the picturesque landscape of Raby Estates, lies a piece of agricultural heritage that spans over two centuries. Raby Home Farm, established by the Earl of Darlington with a vision to foster agricultural innovation, has stood the test of time, blending traditional farming practices with modern sustainability techniques. Today, the same family tends to the land, preserving the essence of the countryside while embracing responsible land management.
Our Raby Rapeseed Oil has been sourced from the rich soil on Raby Home Farm grounds, spanning over 5 acres, the rapeseed used in this oil embodies the essence of the region. What makes Raby Rapeseed Oil truly special is not just its origin, but the meticulous process it undergoes. Every drop of oil is cold-pressed by Lovesome Oil, a local family based company located in Darlington. This method, which is conducted at room temperature, ensures that the oil retains its natural colour and flavour, without any compromise. The seed waste from the oil extraction process is repurposed as nutrient-rich animal feed, which is then used across the estate.
What sets Raby Rapeseed Oil apart isn’t just its taste, but its health benefits too! With less saturated fat and higher omega-3 levels than olive oil, it’s a heart-healthy choice for conscious consumers. It also boasts a high smoke point of 230 degrees celsius, making it ideal for a variety of cooking applications. Whether its used to roast vegetables, bake delectable cakes and pastries, fry crispy delights, or simply drizzle over salads for a burst of flavour.
For those eager to experience the essence of Raby in their own kitchen, Raby Rapeseed Oil is available for purchase at The Coach House Shop at Raby Castle, Park & Gardens. Priced at £9.95 for a 500ml bottle.
The Stables Shop | Wednesday – Sunday | 11am – 4pm
As National Apprenticeship Week unfolds across the country, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the incredible apprentices who contribute their skills, dedication, and fresh perspectives to various industries. Here at Raby Estates, we take immense pride in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth and development. We have several apprentices in various departments across the estate, spanning from accounts and business administration to land management and building maintenance.
Connor | Gamekeeper Apprentice: Connor’s dedication to gamekeeping is evident in everything he does. As a Gamekeeper Apprentice, he works tirelessly to maintain the delicate balance of wildlife and habitat within our estate. Connor’s knowledge of local Grouse is exceptional, and his love for being outdoors on the fell is evident.
Owen | Painter and Decorator Apprentice: Whether he’s revitalising the historic interiors of our estate buildings or adding a fresh coat of paint to a 
Rosanna | Business Administrator Apprentice: Rosanna’s organisational skills and can-do attitude make her an invaluable member of our administrative team. As a Business Administrator Apprentice, she keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes, handling everything from scheduling to correspondence with grace and efficiency. Rosanna’s eagerness to learn and her dedication to her role make her a true asset to Raby Estates.
Izzy | Accounts Assistant Apprentice: Izzy’s meticulous approach to financial management makes her an essential part of our finance department. As an Accounts Assistant Apprentice, she assists with budgeting, invoicing, and financial reporting with precision and accuracy. Izzy’s willingness to take on new challenges and
William | Joiner Apprentice: William’s passion for woodworking and craftsmanship shines through in his role as a Joiner Apprentice. His expertise spans from 1st and 2nd fix joinery to various other facets of the building trade as required, William’s skill and attention to detail are second to none. His dedication to his craft and his eagerness to learn from experienced craftsmen make him a valuable asset to our estate.
Tommy | Joiner Apprentice: Tommy plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and beauty of our properties, including assisting in the upkeep of the castle. Tommy’s responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from general property maintenance to specialized joinery work. Tommy’s contributions are instrumental in ensuring that our estate remains in top condition, and we are proud to have him as part of our team.
Expanding our apprenticeship program is an exciting prospect for Raby Estates as we continue to grow and evolve as a business. We recognise the immense value that apprenticeships bring not only to our organisation but also to the individuals who start this journey with us. As we look towards the future, we are committed to developing our apprenticeship program across all areas of our business, offering opportunities for people who are eager to learn, develop, and grow alongside us.
Our vision for expanding the apprenticeship program is rooted in the belief that investing in talent and providing hands-on learning experiences is key to fostering a skilled workforce and driving innovation within our industry. By broadening the scope of our apprenticeship offerings, we aim to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about their chosen field and eager to contribute to the success of Raby Estates.
Whether it’s in roles related to estate management, conservation, hospitality, administration, or craftsmanship, we are committed to providing comprehensive training and mentorship to our apprentices. Through a combination of on-the-job learning, formal education, and practical experience, apprentices will have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in their chosen profession.
At Raby Estates, we understand that our people are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to investing in their future. By expanding our apprenticeship program, we are not only building a pipeline of talent for our business but also creating opportunities for individuals to thrive and grow with us. Together, we will continue to shape the future of Raby Estates and make a positive impact in our community and beyond.
RABY HIRES MANAGER TO DELIVER ESTATE’S SUSTAINABILITY VISION
Raby Estates has appointed a sustainability manager in a new role to set and deliver ambitious targets for environmental enhancement and meet the challenge of climate change.
Victoria Cadman, an environmental scientist with over 25 years consulting, NGO and advisory experience for private and public sector clients around the world, has taken up this newly created role to inspire, challenge and guide Raby to deliver agreed sustainability targets and accelerate the move towards a decarbonised future.
With an excellent track record in environmental science, project management and Environmental and Social Governance (ESG), Victoria will be responsible for developing and implementing Raby’s Sustainability Strategy and will be working closely with the property, farm and forestry management teams to support Raby’s regenerative farming strategy, co-ordinate agri-environmental schemes and develop carbon neutral, natural capital and scientific research initiatives across the Estate.
Duncan Peake, CEO at Raby Estates said: “Victoria’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for Raby as we continue with our ambitious development programme, The Rising, which will see investment, regeneration, and growth across the Estate to establish a new tourism destination and the first of its kind in the north of England.
“With Victoria’s assistance, we will commit to driving sustainability further at Raby by protecting the environment and playing our part in addressing the challenge of climate change.
“I have no doubt Victoria will quickly settle into the landed estate sector supporting Raby through a period of ongoing development and transition over the next few years and we’re incredibly pleased to welcome her to the team.”
Victoria will also develop other initiatives to engage tenants and suppliers with issues relating to additional elements of environmental sustainability and research renewable energy opportunities for the Estate to further Raby’s sustainability goals.
Victoria added: “I feel incredibly lucky to join Raby and at such an exciting time as it propels its offering whilst also restoring and repurposing heritage buildings.
“I am looking forward to working with the excellent team here, building on existing projects to help conserve the unique heritage and diverse natural landscape of this pioneering landed estate.”
For further information on The Rising, please visit: www.raby.co.uk/about-us/development/raby-castle-development/
Restoration work is underway on the 18th century Coach House and Stables here at Raby Castle, a key part of ‘The Rising’ development, the ambitious project to restore historic buildings to create a unique new visitor experience for 2024.
The prominent Grade II* listed Coach House and Stables reflect the Vane family’s long-standing passion for horses. The buildings were designed by renowned architect John Carr in the late 1700s, to house the family’s collection of heritage carriages, as well as its horses. As part of the restoration, each of the buildings’ original features, including cast iron Victorian stable partitions, have been refurbished and repurposed to create a unique heritage space, which will be used for beautiful retail and exhibition areas.
Showcasing Raby Estate’s rich past, the Coach House will house a free-to-enter exhibition, giving visitors a taste of what is to come when venturing into the historic castle, surrounding parklands and wider areas of the Estate.
The centrepiece of this exciting exhibition will be an audio-visual projection onto a bespoke carved oak eight metre table, sourced sustainably from the Estate, crafted by local artisan furniture maker Anthony Nixon, of Barnard Castle. The projection will showcase the unique Teesdale landscape, part of the wider Estate, and highlight iconic landmarks such as High Force Waterfall, as well as the sights and sounds of the local area and wildlife
In the neighbouring Tack Room, extensive refurbishments are underway, restoring and conserving items from Raby’s proud equine history, including saddles, bridles, carriage sets and a traditional travelling chest which belonged to Henry Vane, 2nd Duke of Cleveland when he served in the 75th Regiment of Foot. Each restored piece will be displayed in its historic setting.
The Drying Room, traditionally used for storage, will include an additional audio-visual display, presented by Lord Barnard, in which he will provide insight into the work of the wider Estate.
Adjacent to the exhibition space, will be a beautiful new retail space, offering a curated selection of homeware and gifts, displayed on reclaimed furniture from across the estate. Raby’s philosophy is local wherever possible, with the retail space offering high-quality, artisan gifts you can’t find anywhere else.
“The Coach House and Stables have been a fundamental piece of our family’s history”, says Lord Barnard, “and we are pleased that it will play such an important role in Raby’s future. As well as displaying elements of Raby’s equine history, we are delighted to be offering an improved retail space to our visitors, presenting local products – many from our own estate.”
“The restoration of this beautiful heritage building will ground visitors in Raby’s fascinating history”, says head of leisure and tourism, Claire Jones. “Key to its development was the safeguarding and celebration of its original features, whilst repurposing it for an exciting future.
“We want to embrace and celebrate Raby’s unique appeal, creating memorable visitor experiences for all. We look forward to welcoming guests to this unparalleled heritage setting for the opening in spring 2024.”
For further information on The Rising, please visit: www.raby.co.uk/about-us/development/raby-castle-development/
EXCITING NEWS! Raby Castle is applying for the Green Tourism Award
The awards certification programme recognises the commitment of tourism businesses, actively working to become more sustainable.
Sustainability is a key focus throughout the Estate. The Rising scheme perfectly demonstrates this, from the reclaimed estate materials being reused and recycled throughout the development to the estate oak, which has been felled to provide beautifully crafted benches for visitors to use.
The environmental impact of the development has also been considered, and a ground source heat network has been installed, which will provide 60% of the annual heat demand and reduce the development’s carbon emissions by 40%. Read more about the Ground Source Heat Network HERE.
Estate produce will run through beautiful menus, and carefully curated products from local suppliers will line the shelves of the retail areas.
Join us on our eco-friendly journey as we strive to become a more sustainable tourism destination!
