The Walled Gardens | Raby Castle

Opening Days

Daily

Opening Times

10am - 4pm

Prices

Deer Park & Gardens Tickets | Adult £15.00 | Concession (60+) £14.00 | Children (4-15yrs) £10.50 | Family (2 adults, 3 children) £46.00. 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 Walled Garden

The 18th century Walled Garden has been recently remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei with Lady Barnard. Together, they have laboured to create a stunning 5-acre vision, including the estate’s well-known yew hedges and the iconic Raby fig. In doing so, they have retained the gardens’ distinctive spirit; one in which the character of Raby and its rich history is deeply embedded.

Beautifully framed views and an unrivalled air of tranquillity have put Raby on the map of notable English gardens, and will delight horticultural novices and enthusiasts alike.

Spring Garden Fair

Saturday 3rd – Monday 5th May

Join us this May Bank Holiday for Raby Castle’s first Spring Garden Fair! Celebrate the garden’s reawakening with expert talks, including one from renowned Landscape Architect Alistair Baldwin. Enjoy the beauty of the gardens, amphitheatre entertainment, flower crown-making, and tractor rides. Browse local market stalls, visit The Coach House Shop for outdoor living ideas, and explore the 14th-century castle, 200-acre parklands, and stunning gardens. A perfect day for all the family!

More Information

The Story of Raby’s Walled Gardens Exhibition

“A Never-Failing Delight!”: The Story of Raby’s Garden

Shaped by the passage of time, the vision of generations of Raby’s owners, and their dedicated workforce, the gardens at Raby have delighted visitors for centuries.

Never static, and always growing, our gardens – laid out over 7 acres – are outstanding for their setting, design and history.

The story of Raby’s gardens isn’t restricted to the past. In 2024, the historic gardens were transformed as part of a project driven by the creative vision of Lady Kate Barnard, working with preeminent designers Alistair Baldwin and Luciano Giubbilei. This small exhibition tells the story of the gardens through time and the dedicated people who have made them what they are today.

The East Garden

A new grass amphitheatre set in the lower part of the East Garden will host a programme of outdoor events. The grass amphitheatre, the first of its kind in the north of England, will enable future visitors to gaze up at the spectacular sight of the castle on the horizon. This wonderfully unique space will be used for a host of summer activities, including plays and musical events, as well as providing visitors with a beautiful garden for quiet contemplation

The Formal Garden

The Formal Garden has a series of unique mazes alongside the historic Raby yew hedge, with a graceful rill flowing north to south, adding the tranquil sounds and sight of water complementing this calm space.

The West Garden

The West Garden is more productive combining raised beds growing seasonal produce, a greenhouse displaying hothouse plants and a cut flower garden full of roses, peonies, dahlias and sweet peas.

Luciano Giubbilei

Having lived and worked in London for 30 years, Italian-born Luciano Giubbilei is one of Britain’s most successful garden designers. The newly remodelled walled gardens at Raby Castle are Luciano’s first public garden. Luciano has also recently won ‘Garden Designer of the Year’ in the House and Garden Design Awards 2024.

History

Although there would have been a small garden at Raby during the Middle Ages to provide herbs and plants needed for medicines, it was not until the mid-18th century that a formal garden was established, designed by Thomas Wright. A passion for growing can be seen throughout the generations of the Vane family, who employed inventive Head Gardeners and formed a system of heated walls and greenhouses to produce sub-tropical fruits in a northern climate. The White Ischia Fig tree on the south terrace was brought to Raby in 1786, and still fruits annually. The Gardens have been considerably altered since their inception, including during the 20th century due to turning over land for the war effort, but many original features remain. This includes the two fine old yew hedges, the ornamental pond originally constructed to provide water for the kitchen garden, and the gateway made in the early 18th century for Shipbourne Church near the family seat of Fairlawn in Kent. Our raspberry canes and the Raby redcurrant are popular remnants of the historic market garden.

Raby Castle Newly Remodelled Walled Gardens in County Durham