DiCamillo Companion
DiCamillo Griffin Logo
England

Raby Castle

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

This house has been used for TV and Film Historic Houses Member

The house from "Morris's Views of Seats," circa 1875.

An 1820 engraving of the house from "Neale's Views of Seats"

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: 1768-88
    Designed: Alterations and additions, including Gothic Entrance Hall, for 2nd Earl of Darlington.

    View all houses

  • John 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

  • "The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella" (1976). "Elizabeth" (1998 - the lake was used for the Thames river pageant, showing the grand entrance by Elizabeth in her royal barge at Whitehall Palace). "The Virgin Queen" (2005 - TV mini series, as Whitehall Palace). "Victoria" (2016 - TV series).

  • Current Seat / Home of: John Vane, 11th Baron Barnard; Vane family here for 370 years.

    Past Seat / Home of: Neville family. Henry Vane, 2nd Earl of Darlington, 18th century.

    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: http://www.rabycastle.com

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

New Search