Raby Castle
Enjoy a lovely walk through the 200 acres of deer park and gardens surrounding this 14th century castle near Darlington and Staindrop. There are several well surfaced walking trails taking you through peaceful woodland, through the deer park and between Low Pond and High Pond. There are also the delightful 18th century ornamental Walled Gardens with Yew Hedges, trees, plants, fountains, statues and ornaments from the 18th and 19th century.
You can also enjoy a tour of the castle. With 600 years of history and fine collections of art and furniture it is a fascinating tour.
The castle is great for families too with a Woodland Adventure Playground for the children. There is also an excellent tea room.
Postcode
DL2 3AH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Raby Castle Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Raby Castle Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Raby Castle OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Raby Castle Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The village of Staindrop is located just south of the castle. Here you could enjoy some post walk refreshment at the Wheatsheaf. The Tudor-style former coaching inn has some interesting 1930s stained glass windows. They have a good selection of ales and a nice beer garden for sunny days. The pub is in a nice spot overlooking the village green at postcode DL2 3LD.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just south of Darlington there's the village of Hurworth on Tees which includes pleasant riverside trails and a noteworthy pub dating back to the 1400s.
For more walking ideas in the area see the County Durham Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Deer park at Raby Castle, County Durham. The 200 acre deer park has red and fallow deer, both of which are descendants of deer preserved in the area since Norman times. Here are black, mottled and white fallow deer, which are recognisable by clubbed rather than pointed antlers.
This dramatic 14th century castle, built by the Nevills, has been home to Lord Barnard's family since 1626. Throughout the castle the rooms display fine art works, furniture and elaborate architecture. Here an estate worker is dragging green algae/weed out of the lake and is watched by a herd of wonderful longhorn cattle. There is even one with a crumpled horn!
Walled garden. The medieval castle stands to the left of this photo. In the foreground is the mid 18th century formal garden established for the family by Thomas Wright.The walls were built of local hand-made bricks and constructed with flues so that when heated, sub tropical fruit such as apricots could be grown on the south terrace.There is an Ischia fig, brought to the garden in 1786, which still fruits annually.
The herbaceous borders were designed by the Dowager Lady Barnard. Incorporated are lots of 18th/19th century garden ornaments and a fish pond.There are also some very strange shaped yew hedges to the sides of the borders.
West garden in summer
East garden in summer