The Castle | Raby Castle | One of the Finest Medieval Castles

Opening Days

Open Daily, 11am - 4pm. Seasonal opening times March – October. Plus, bank holidays

Opening Times

11am - 4pm

Prices

Raby Castle, Deer Park and Gardens Tickets: Adult £22 | Concession (60+) £21 | Children (4–15yrs) £13 | Under 4s Free | Family (2 adults & 3 children) £63 | HH Member Free | Raby Members Free. To ensure you get the best price, we highly recommend pre-booking online. By booking in advance, you’ll not only save money but also enjoy peace of mind knowing everything is set for your visit.

Tickets

The Castle

A powerful exterior with a superb collection of art and artefacts.

Raby is without doubt one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England. Built in the 14th century by the powerful Neville family, it has a long history. Home to Cecily Neville, mother of two kings of England, it was also the scene of the plotting of the Rising of the North and a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War.

The approach to the castle is particularly beautiful as its towers appear and disappear amongst the trees of the surrounding parkland with its ornamental lakes and herds of deer. Much of the exterior with medieval towers, terrace and embattled walls dates back to the 14^th century.

Two Families

The Nevilles, responsible for fortifying the 14^th century castle, were an influential family in the North who owned Raby until 1569 when Charles Neville, 6^th Earl of Westmorland, participated in the failed Rising of the North plot to dethrone Queen Elizabeth. The castle and its lands were forfeited to the crown, and Charles later died in exile in Holland.

In 1626, Sir Henry Vane the Elder, Member of Parliament and important member of Charles I’s household, purchased Raby from the Crown. The present owner being the 12^th Lord Barnard, who through his mother’s lineage also holds links to the original Nevilles of Raby.

Complimentary Raby Castle Quest Trail

Come on our Raby Castle quest and explore the beautiful interiors while completing our family activity trail. Do you know how many sides the Octagon Drawing Room has? Or how many paintings of horses you can count in the Small Drawing Room?

This trail is included FREE with every castle ticket

Interiors, furnishings and artworks

Behind its powerful fortifications, Raby Castle is our family home with many Medieval, Regency and Victorian interiors. We also have a range of art, textiles and furniture from England and Europe dating from the 17th to the 21st Century.

Family portraits by leading artists, 18th and 19th Century sporting paintings, including work by Sir Alfred Munnings, and important pictures such as ‘The Circumcision of Christ’ and ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ by Luca Giodano can be seen around the Castle.

Porcelain and sculpture ranging from the significant Greek Slave Statue to an early collection of Meissen birds are showcased in our rooms.

Collections Project

Experience the Thomas Weeks Cabinet

In 2022 two graduate students undertook a project to uncover the secrets behind a historic piece within the castle collections.

Exclusive Guided Tours Unveil History, Art, and Hidden Treasures

Discover the Secrets of Raby Castle

Step into the past with Raby Castle’s captivating guided tours, where history comes to life. These immersive experiences offer a rare glimpse into the castle’s storied past, with options that delve deep into its hidden corners and fascinating collections.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a history buff, Raby Castle’s guided tours promise a memorable journey through time, making each visit a personal connection to one of England’s finest medieval landmarks.

For more information on our current available tours head over to the What’s On page.

A special insight into the history and collections of Raby.

Castle Encounters

Join a member of our dedicated Curation and Archives team every Wednesday to Friday at 2pm to take a closer look at the lesser-known stories hidden within the castle’s collections.

From a sneak peek into what goes on behind the scenes to protect the collection with our Conservation Officer, to the opportunity to view a castle archive or uncover the stories of Raby’s historic workforce, pop along and see what you’ll discover.

These sessions are FREE with a Castle, Park and Gardens ticket. Simply purchase a ticket for your chosen day and meet at the castle portcullis at 2pm.

Rooms

Visitors to Raby can experience a range of rooms lived in by the family and their guests, and used by the workforce to manage and maintain the castle. Experience the Blue Bedroom, designed for very important visitors to the castle in the 19^th century, or the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room, used as an administrative base during the 20^th century.

Our spectacular Octagon Drawing Room is an opulent example of the tastes of the Dukes of Cleveland, and the magnificent medieval kitchen was in use from 1378 to 1954.

The Entrance Hall constructed as a carriageway, Gothic decorated Chapel and spectacular Barons’ Hall have fascinating heritage and dramatic interiors and the handsome Victorian Dining Room, created by William Burn is also a picture gallery containing many important artworks.

The Deer Park

Enjoy the wildlife and scenery within 200 acres of lush green parkland.

The Walled Gardens

The 18th century Walled Garden has been recently remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei with Lady Barnard.

The History

A great fortress standing proud and defiant, it’s history rolls back almost a thousand years.