Raby Castle

Historic Houses & Building, Industrial Heritage, Visitor Centres, Historic Sites & Monuments

Home of Lord Barnard's family for over 370 years

RABY CASTLE, home of Lord Barnard's family for over 370 years, is set in a 200 acre Deer Park. The castle was mainly built in the 14th century, on the site of an earlier Manor House, by the powerful Neville family, who owned it until the Rising of the North in 1569, when Raby was seized by the Crown. It remained Crown property until 1626, when it was bought from Charles I by the eminent statesman and politician Sir Henry Vane, Lord Barnard's ancestor. Despite its appearance, Raby was intended to be a fortified home rather than a fortress, although it played an important part in the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War. In the 18th century, the castle was transformed from a rugged stronghold to an elegant country residence, with further alterations in the mid 19th century. Despite this, much of the original exterior remains, with important medieval rooms, notably the Great Kitchen (used for over 600 years until 1952), with its vast ranges and collection of Victorian copper utensils, and the original Garrison of the castle, now the Servants' Hall. Today, serene in its tranquil setting, Raby still conveys the sense of its historic past, enhanced by its elegant furnishings and renowned collection of Meissen porcelain. Raby is living history, not a dead museum. Historic Houses Association Member. OPENING TIMES SUMMER Castle Easter & BH weekends Sat - Wed. May - June Wed & Sun only 1 - 5pm. July - September Daily except Sats 1 - 5pm. Garden and Park 11am - 5.30pm on days shown above. Groups by arrangement Easter - end June Mon - Fri 10am - 4.30pm. July - end September Mon - Fri Mornings only