Jo’s Monday walk : Raby Castle and Deer Park

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I’ve passed by Raby Castle many times on my way through the Durham Dales.  The market town of Barnard Castle with its lovely riverside setting, 8 miles further west, is a favourite location of mine.  Always I’ve had my nose pressed up against the car window. How many deer can I spot?

A sultry, sunny day in June seemed like a good time for closer observation.  250 acres of parkland surround Raby Castle, and herds of Red and Fallow deer roam free.  I was desperate to park the car and run after the deer I could see, grazing beneath trees in the distance.  But, no!  Not a good idea.  For one thing, May to July each year is the period in which calves are born, and it is vital to retain a healthy distance.  Human contact can deter a mother from feeding her young, and there are warnings never to touch, even if the calf appears to have been abandoned.  A watchful eye for strays is kept by the park rangers.  So I looked for distraction, beyond a garden gate.

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In my preoccupation with deer, I had entirely forgotten that Raby Castle has an 18th century walled garden.  Totaling 5 acres, it retains many of its original features.  The walls were built with locally handmade bricks, with a heating system of flues inserted.  This enabled sub-tropical fruits like apricots to be grown.  The White Ischia fig is a survivor from 1786, now in its own glass house.  In addition there are two fine old yew hedges, and an ornamental pond, originally used to provide water for the kitchen garden.

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An English garden in summertime.  People wore bemused smiles.  This was how it was supposed to be.  A gentle, hazy warmth wrapped around buzzing borders, while Pan played softly on his pipe.  And pouting cherubs looked on.

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Paths lead around and through, and it’s a beguiling place to linger.  Aloof violet iris nod regally at pristine white cornus, with just a smidgeon of pink tip.  A blaze of azalea cocoon a garden bench.  The castle and it’s deer park are forgotten, bar an odd tantalising glimpse.

For those of you who grumbled about misshapen scones in my Sutton Park post, now is probably a good time to pop into the tearooms. These are situated in the 18th century Coach House & Tack Room, and are themed rather nicely.  I do like a scone!

Visiting the castle was by guided tour only.  I would love to have shown you round, because it is as impressive a building as I have ever been in. Unfortunately photographs were not permitted.  Out of respect for my very charming and knowledgable, old world guide Robert, I refrained from taking any. (I have been known to cheat just a little, even in Buckingham Palace)  If you ever visit I do urge you to take the tour.

The Viking, King Canute, owned this estate in the 11th century.  Raby derives from the Danish, ‘ra’ being a boundary and ‘bi’ a settlement.  Since then the Nevill family, one of the most powerful families in the north of England, has been responsible for building and adding to the castle.  For almost 400 years the Nevills held sway, but involvment in the ‘Rising of the North’ in support of Mary Queen of Scots was to be their undoing. Charles Nevill, 6th and last Earl, fled to Holland where he died in poverty in 1601.

If the history interests you, much more can be found on the castle website.   There’s still a little walking to be done.  According to the leaflet, a stroll from the castle around High and Low Ponds takes about an hour.  I would suggest much less, unless you take a picnic.

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Have you seen any deer yet?  Look over there in the distance.  We’ll approach very carefully.  No sudden movements.

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Oh, oh!  They’ve seen us!  Time to go, I think.  I hope you’ve enjoyed it.  I know I have.  Full details of how to get there and opening times are on the website.  If you’re ever in the north east I can highly recommend it.  Time for a cuppa?

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Thank you everybody for keeping me company, and for the support.  Yet again I have some superb walks to share with you.  If you’d like to join in at any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Just click on the logo above.  Let’s get reading!

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This post was a particular delight to me as I could picture myself there, a few years ago.  Thanks, Laia!  And Gilly- you’ll love it!

Barcelona from a local- pirates, cacti and a magic fountain

But my view from the Giralda tower was much damper than Debbie’s :

She Who Turns

Complete contrast, and a special anniversary present for Lady Lee :

A Walk from Kranzbach to Elmau to Fernchensee Lake

Phoebe shares a secret in the South of France :

Secret paradise : a refreshing river walk

I love an Open Garden, be it in England or Scotland.  Thanks, Anabel!

Muckhart Village Gardens

And Smidge’s post is everything you could want for in lovely Scottish views :

Grey Mare’s Tail and Loch Skeen

Or there’s always a spin on the common with Geoff and Dog :

Greenwich and Blackheath, contrasting space

You could even cheat with Jackie and ride on the bus!

Heritage Toronto 501 Tour

If you don’t mind a few midges you could go camping with Liesbet :

A Weekend of Camping and Hiking in Vermont

Or why not follow Drake to somewhere that looks really idyllic?

Everyday, every day

Fancy a stroll through a City of the Dead?  Not for everybody, perhaps, but Jaspa definitely enjoyed it :

Cementerio de la Recoleta, Buenos Aires

A rather more traditional walking tour with Nicole, this one is exactly my cup of tea :

A Walking Tour of Prague : Old Town Square

That’s it for another week.  Again, my thanks to all, and I hope you have a great week ahead.  See you soon!

151 comments

    1. This is a rather special bit, Ark. I don’t know how much you like castles but the interior is incredible. They used to drive a carriage right through the courtyard and into the main hall! 🙂 Thanks for your company.

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  7. Of course, the castle and deer are wow. But those intricately trimmed hedges and the colored trees – hu-WOW! Would love to visit this one myself, and be trigger happy like you did.

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  8. Delightful post as always Jo! You obviously had a gorgeous day for your visit – the park, walled garden and the deer it looks a lovely peaceful place 🙂 I remember the Nevilles from history and I think Shakespeare plays so I will take a look at the history link – right up my street! Hope you have a lovely week – very enjoyable blog post! 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Rosemay 🙂 I’m a bit tired from this morning’s walk on the Moors but I’ve got Wimbledon running in the background. The Raby Estate is fabulous, hon. If ever you get the chance… 🙂

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  15. I think the hedges stole the show for me. Well second to the castle I should say. So lucky we are in this country with sites like these… 🙂

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      2. They will love High Force in Teesdale. The visitor centre always has child-related activities to involve them. Knaresborough has good riverside stuff and the castle too. Where are you nearest to? I’ll have a think and let you know. 🙂

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      3. We will be near Leyburn so will do Aysgarth and Richmond, Wensleydale and Fountains Abbey and I want to go to Beamish, I have never been there. Might drive to the coast for a day if it is good weather, Whitby probably. Gosh, so much to do and we only have a week!

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  17. Now I know I have definitely been here, but so long ago I can’t remember much about it apart from, like you, driving past the deer park on our way elsewhere. The “no photography” rule puzzles me – it seems to be retreating, but inconsistently. We visited two houses this weekend, both run by NTS – one allowed it, one didn’t. No flash for conservation reasons I can understand. Anyway, your garden photos are just lovely.

    Thanks, once again, for the mention.

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    1. In some ways I respect it, Anabel. The interiors were extraordinary and you maintain the impact by not allowing photos. Also I think it’s a bit rude to be taking shots when someone is talking about the history. And he was very good. I was more engaged with him than if I’d had my camera in my hand. But yes, you always want a shot when you can’t have one. 🙂 And I’d need another post for the castle and I really don’t have the time. The website is very thorough and interesting too. Thanks for your company, hon. Weather staying good, or shouldn’t I ask? 🙂

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  20. Ah…so glad you managed to get close to photograph some deer – they are so beautiful. I love the gardens here, the huge hedge is magnificently pruned with such long undulating shape.

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