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/

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Your morning

11am – Wanted: Half Term Helpers Raby’s Butler and Housekeeper are on the lookout for enthusiastic, hardworking individuals to become a part of the Castle team in the complimentary Servant School Tour.

11.30am – Stay indoors and take part in the Servant School Children’s Trail, exploring the rooms of Raby Castle, completing tasks to gain your stamps for your wage slips.

Midday

12.30pm – Head to the Vinery Café for a cosy break with hot drinks, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea while watching the rain through big windows. It’s one of the most atmospheric indoor stops on site — perfect for warming up and recharging. You might even get to indulge in delicious pancakes at the select-your-own-topping station. If you did want to head outdoors we do have a complimentary Gardeners Walk and Talk at 12pm – meet you at the Round House.

Your Afternoon

1pm – Wander around the Coach House Shop & Exhibition, a friendly indoor space with curated giftware, local products, homeware and so much Jellycat with a dedicated children’s section.  Browsing here can be a fun half-term activity when it’s wet outside, explore the exhibition, projection table and the horse you might find in the stables…

1.30pm – Ready to brace the drizzle? Take an Adventure to The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground and take part in the Dragon Quest Trail located within a Christmas Tree plantation it provides a lot of shelter from the rain and even a pit stop pantry for a hot drink.

2.30pm -Next stop the Green House in the Walled Gardens for complimentary seeding sowing with a member of the Garden’s team and if you are feeling extra brave, head to the expansive deer park and if you can spot these incredible mammals often close by to the ponds or venture around the stunning walled gardens.

3.30pm – Last hot chocolate shop of the day? The Garage Cafe offers the perfect selection located outside the Coach Yard.

USE CODE FEB10 on Family Explorer Tickets, which gives you access to all attractions and trails, including Raby Castle, Deer Park, Walled Gardens and The Plotters’ Forest.

Family Explorer (2 Adults 2 Children) £60 online £65 onsite | Adult £21 Online £22 onsite | Child £11 Online £12 Onsite | Under 4’s Free

BOOK NOW

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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

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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/

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Showcase Your Ride or Just Admire

Whether you’re showcasing or just admiring, here are the vehicle classes featured at this year’s Classic Car Show:

Pre-war and brass cars

1939-1969 cars

1970 – 1990 cars

1991-current cars

Motorcycles

Tractors

Commercials

Club Classes

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