Raby Castle at Christmas
Visitors embark on a self-led tour through eleven ground-floor castle rooms, admiring festive displays, traditional Christmas trees, seasonal flowers, and an elaborate holiday dining table setting. The experience includes a bespoke introductory film in the House Keeper's Sitting Room and access to behind-the-scenes areas such as the medieval kitchen and servants' hall. Admission also allows guests to stroll through the frosty five-acre Walled Gardens and view roaming deer across the parkland.
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 All ages
See more Christmas lights near Darlington
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
Listed prices: Adult £25; Concession £24; Family (2 Adults 2 Children) £60; Children (1-15yrs) £8; Raby Members £8; Historic Houses Members £22. The FAQ also gives adult tickets as £22.50–£27.50, with premium dates at a higher cost; Raby Members’ tickets are £7.20–£8.80; Historic House Members’ tickets are £22.50–£27.50. All visitors, including members, must buy tickets; tickets are not included in membership.
Hours
Castle: 11:00am - 4:00pm (also written as 11am – 4pm). Deer Park: 10am – 4pm. Walled Gardens: 10am – 4pm.
Food & Drink
Festive three-tier afternoon tea in The Vinery is available on selected dates in November and December.
Parking
Free car parking is available at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. Follow signage or staff instructions to the parking areas on arrival.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Pick your date and time slot carefully when you book, because there are no refunds or cancellations and transfers are only considered in exceptional cases.
- Buy a ticket even if you're a Raby or Historic Houses member, because membership doesn't cover this event, though Raby members get a discount.
- Arrive early to walk the Deer Park and Walled Gardens, because they open before the castle and the ticket covers them all day.
- Stop and chat with the volunteers in each room, because they share stories about Christmas at Raby that the displays don't tell.
- Dress warmly for the grounds, because the visit includes the frosty Walled Gardens and Deer Park and it goes ahead in rain or snow.
Special Events & Promotions
- New for 2026: the medieval kitchen and servants' hall open for the first time, showing Christmas below stairs.
- Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery on selected dates in November and December, booked separately.
Links & Contact
Run by Raby Estates
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ticket include?
It covers the self-guided Christmas tour of the castle, plus all-day access to the Deer Park and the 5-acre Walled Gardens, and festive photo opportunities.
Is the castle tour guided?
No, it's self-led. There are volunteers in each of the eleven rooms with extra stories about Christmas at Raby. An introductory film in the House Keeper's Sitting Room sets the scene first.
Is there food and drink?
Yes, The Vinery or the Garage Cafe will be open during your visit.
Does it go ahead in bad weather?
Yes, it goes ahead in rain or snow. Cancellations for weather are extremely rare.
What's new this year?
For the first time, you can go below stairs to the medieval kitchen and the servants' hall to see how the castle's staff celebrated Christmas.
Browse Christmas in Bishop Auckland
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.