Raby, near Staindrop
County Durham
England
Circa Date: 14th century, probably incorporating earlier elements, w/17th, 18th & 19th century alterations and additions
Pronunciation: RAY-BEE
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: Yes
A 1791 engraving of the house from "Angus's Views of Seats." By kind permission of a private collection.
An 1820 engraving of the house from "Neale's Views of Seats"
The house from "Morris's Views of Seats," circa 1875.
The house from the garden. © 2024 Curt DiCamillo.
The house from the garden. © 2024 Curt DiCamillo.
The garden
The garden
Earlier Houses: There was an earlier manor house on the site of the current castle.
Built / Designed For: Neville family
House & Family History: Raby is one of the largest 14th century castles in Britain, although one of the towers may date to the 11th century. The castle was originally built 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 a property of the crown until 1626, when the castle was purchase from Charles I by Sir Henry Vane, ancestor of the present Lord Barnard. Raby played important parts in the Wars of the Roses and the Civil War.
Garden & Outbuildings: The house is set in a 200-acre deer park.
Architect: John Carr
Date: 1768-88John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, p. 64, 1852.
John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, 1818.
Country Life: II, 321, 1897. XXXVIII, 760 plan, 804, 1915. CXLVI, 78, 150, 1969. CXLVII, 18, 66, 186, 1970.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Reference: pg. 223
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Reference: pg. P 93
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade II*
Current Seat / Home of: Henry Francis Cecil Vane, 12th Baron Barnard; Vane family here for 370 years.
Past Seat / Home of: Neville family, until 1569. Sir Henry Vane, 17th century; Henry Vane, 2nd Earl of Darlington, 1758-92; William Henry Vane, 3rd Earl of Darlington and 1st Duke of Cleveland, 1792-1842; General Henry Vane, 2nd Duke of Cleveland, 1842-64; William John Frederick Vane, 3rd Duke of Cleveland, 1864; Harry George Powlett, 4th Duke of Cleveland, 1864-91; Henry de Vere Vane, 9th Baron Barnard, 1891-1918; Christopher William Vane, 10th Baron Barnard, 1918-64; Harry John Neville Vane, 11th Baron Barnard, 1964-2016.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01833-660-202
Fax: 01833-660-835
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/
Historic Houses Member: Yes