BY ALLISON LEE
Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is set in picturesque parkland near Staindrop in County Durham, where both red and fallow deer roam. The castle is one of the most impressive intact castles in England. Built by the powerful Neville family in the 14th century, it has been home to the Vane family for nearly 400 years. It was also the home of Cecily Neville, mother of two kings of England, and was the scene of the Rising of the North, later becoming a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War.
For summer 2026, Raby Castle and the visitor buildings throughout its grounds have been transformed with breathtaking floral arrangements inspired by nature. ‘Castle in Bloom’ will open on Saturday 2nd May.
Alan McKerchar, General Manager at Raby Castle, said: “Every department at Raby has played a part in bringing this theme to life. In the past, Raby Castle would have been an incredibly productive place with home-grown flowers, plants, and even tropical fruits. Old photographs show us that flowers and plants would have filled the castle, and we were all delighted to lean into that history and bring this theme to life.”
Raby’s gardening team have also sown flowers on the castle terrace to create a multi-coloured display of annual flowers.
Dickon Harding, Gardens and Landscape Manager at Raby Castle, said: “We wanted to extend the experience to the exterior of the castle and delight visitors with a sea of colour as soon as you walk through the castle gates. The castle is a very dominating building, but the addition of flowers to the terrace will soften the façade and show the historic building in an entirely new light.” He added: “The placement of the seeds and flowers, provided by Boston Seeds, has allowed us to create a visually stunning pathway for visitors to follow after entering through the Neville Gateway. We’ve also left the lawns to the north of the castle to grow, ensuring a beautiful and natural environment all around.”
Heading inside the castle, visitors encounter arches of tumbling flowers and meadows rising from the floors – among the first delights – taking them on a visual journey from dark to light, full of texture and floral scents.
Deborah Simpson Boston, a local floral designer and owner of Periwinkle Barn (based at Raby for the summer), has created this living, breathing entrance to the main installation through the medieval passage. She said: “The design for the passageway has been created to welcome guests and draw them into the Castle in Bloom experience. A mixture of textures has been incorporated, including soft grasses, wildflowers, and dried British flowers. We’ve purposefully chosen flowers which are warm, fragrant, and inviting for an immersive experience down the corridor.”
The centrepiece of Castle in Bloom is located in some of the castle’s grandest rooms, showcasing contemporary designs by renowned florist Anna Potter of Swallows and Damsons, whose installation further explores the contrast between dark and light. The Entrance Hall features an incredible suspended orb representing the moon, made from dried Deschampsia grasses cut from Raby’s own Walled Gardens. On the floor above, the Baron’s Hall houses a giant suspended sun portal set against the backdrop of three grand windows.
To complement Swallows and Damsons’ designs, several local suppliers and creators have contributed to the Castle in Bloom installation, including Yorkshire-based florist Opulence and the Beetle, whose exuberant and colourful creations have transformed additional rooms in the castle.
Blooms by Samuel Baker, a curated collection of faux botanicals stocked in Raby’s Coach House, has helped celebrate the floral theme in other areas across the lifestyle destination. As part of the wider experience, they have woven a decorative meadow installation into the ladder at The Vinery Cafe, alongside three large ball-burst arrangements of summer flowers suspended in the Round House.
To celebrate Raby’s historic passion for plants, a themed exhibition has also been created for visitors to explore. It features key figures, including the 18th-century botanist Lady Anne Monson, who grew up at Raby when the Walled Garden was being developed, and the head gardeners who have innovated and developed the award-winning garden throughout history.
For a full day out at Raby, brimming with floral inspiration, visitors can soak up the creative planting designs of two well-known designers. Yorkshire-based Alistair Baldwin designed the planting scheme that beautifully envelops the visitor buildings, whilst in the Walled Gardens, visitors can admire the work of award-winning garden designer Luciano Giubbilei and Lady Barnard, with the Garden Trading furniture collection to explore in the Conservatory. Indulgence awaits with an afternoon tea with a floral twist in The Vinery Cafe, featuring a beautifully presented three-tiered stand of freshly prepared delights.
Castle in Bloom runs until 31 August, and entry is included with all Castle, Park and Gardens tickets, priced at £23 for adults, £22 for concessions, £12 for children (ages 4-15 years) and £66 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). Raby’s family explorer ticket, which provides access to everything at the lifestyle destination, also includes entry to Castle in Bloom and is £60 for two adults and two children when booked online in advance.
For further information and to book tickets, visit: here.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.
