The Plotters’ Forest

Tickets for The Plotters’ Forest are available to purchase here.

We recommend purchasing tickets for The Plotters’ Forest online in advance as we cannot guarantee availability on site.

Our Plotters’ Forest, Park and Gardens Tickets give you access to a 2 hour play session in The Plotters’ Forest and all day access (10am -4pm) in The Walled Gardens and The Deer Park. If you would also like to visit Raby Castle you can add this on during your booking process.

Please note, the castle is open seasonally between March – October.

The Plotters’ Forest is set on a hillside within natural woodland, with some uneven ground and steps. However, a wooden boardwalk, which reaches the top of the playground is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair allowing visitors to enjoy interactive games on the first level.

The Plotters’ Forest has been designed to allow enjoyment and engagement at the boardwalk level for those visitors with mobility issues however you cannot access some play equipment at the upper level. We were mindful to install several interactive items at boardwalk level to make the experience as accessible as possible, including musical chimes, peeky portrait, pairs games, talking tubes and mischief mirrors. The play equipment is only part of the attraction of this wonderful place. The way the accessible boardwalk weaves throughout the pine trees allows for a very special sensory experience, just the smell and colour of this fabulous forest towering above you makes it a very magical place and one which stimulates both wellbeing and imaginative play.

Raby Memberships that were purchased before April 2022 do not admit visitors to The Plotters’ Forest. However, all Raby Members are able to upgrade their Membership to include The Plotters’ Forest.

For visitors who would like to buy an Raby Membership for the first time, there is an option on our ticketing platform referenced ‘Raby Membership with The Plotters’ Forest‘.

A Plotters’ Forest Raby Membership offers visitors the following benefits for a whole year:

• Admission into Raby Castle (The Castle is open seasonal March – October)
• Admission into The Walled Gardens and Deer Park at Raby Castle all year round
• 10% off at The Vinery and Coach House Shop
• Admission to High Force Waterfall all year round (excludes parking)
• 10% off at the High Force Hotel and Kiosk
• Admission into The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground, all year round. (Please note The Plotters’ Forest requires to be prebooked online you can do this for free using your Raby Membership number)

Please note a Raby Membership excludes entry into special events.

At Raby Castle we have a ‘try before you buy’ system, meaning if you have bought day tickets and have decided you would like to buy an Annual Pass you can purchase this on the day. Your day admission cost will be deducted from the Annual Pass price.

Alternatively, you can buy a Raby Annual Pass in advance using our online ticketing system.

A Plotters’ Forest Annual Pass offers visitors the following benefits for a whole year:

• Admission into Raby Castle (The Castle is open seasonal March – October)
• Admission into The Walled Gardens and The Deer Park at Raby Castle all year round
• 10% off at The Vinery and Coach House Shop
• Admission to High Force Waterfall all year round (excludes parking)
• 10% off at the High Force Hotel and Kiosk
• Admission into The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground, all year round. (Please note The Plotters’ Forest requires to be prebooked online you can do this for free using your Raby Membership number)

Please note a Raby Membership excludes entry into special events.

The Plotters’ Forest is an adventure play area that has been designed for children, therefore adults with no accompanying children will not be permitted into The Plotters’ Forest. There are many other areas of Raby Castle you can explore instead.

This is an unsupervised play area. All Plotters and Rebels must be accompanied by supervising adult (we have coffee at the top!)

Entry into The Plotters’ Forest starts from your allocated time slot which is 2 hours. The Plotters’ Forest tickets include access into The Walled Gardens and Deer Park anytime between 10am – 4pm with a complimentary children’s trail.

Upgrades to visit Raby Castle are available online and on the day, subject to availability. Please note, the castle is open seasonally between March – October.

To ensure our little visitors are kept safe, we don’t allow dogs inside The Plotters’ Forest and Raby Castle. Dogs are allowed in The Walled Gardens, Deer Park, Coach House Shop and The Vinery as long as they are kept on leads.

Only guide dogs are permitted into Raby Castle and The Plotters’ Forest.

The Plotters’ Forest has been designed to cater for a mixed range of ages and abilities and contains elements of risk. The recommended age for children is between 4 – 12 years.  The majority of the equipment is designed to be moderately challenging. 

Adults should supervise younger children carefully. Adults should also be comfortable that the risks contained are suitable for the abilities of their children before allowing them to play. Big people decide. Only you know the abilities and limitations of the children in your care. Please keep an eye on them and make sure they’re playing safely. 

There is a small dedicated area for under 4’s toddler’s play. 

If you book the 3pm allocated time slot you have access to The Plotters’ Forest until 5pm.

Entry into The Plotters’ Forest is at your allocated time slot. Once you have left you can enjoy The Walled Gardens, Deer Park and other areas of Raby Castle. You will not be able to re-enter.

We have designated picnic area located behind the Coach Parking with benches and tables. Picnics are not allowed in The Plotters’ Forest. Refreshments are available at The Plotters’ Pantry, The Vinery and our takeaway stations around site.

The Plotters’ Forest has been designed around discovery, intrigue and challenge around our Christmas Tree plantation with historical features throughout including the Neville Gateway, the Plotters’ Spire, towers and forts inspired by the castle’s history. Other elements include plotters’ talking tubes, peaky portrait, rebels xylophone, mischief mirrors, giant memory game, plotters’ slide, rebels run, toddlers play, sky-high tunnels, treetop tunnels and so much more. Another key element of The Plotters’ Forest is outdoor play reaping the benefits of playing in nature including sensory play, creativity, imagination and wellbeing.

We recommend two hours of play, all tickets allow access to The Walled Gardens and the 200-acre deer park with scenic views of the castle and wildlife. Throughout the holiday periods, we have the added bonus of seasonal trails. There is also the opportunity to upgrade your ticket to include a visit inside the castle to view the superb collections and room exterior.

Please note this is not a tree tops high ropes course.

We would recommend the 3pm time slot during the weekdays for children who enjoy quieter times.