Raby Castle's Walled Gardens are in Full Bloom
Featuring three different gardens encased within the historic brick walls, the remodelled five-acre space reopened in summer last year
Luciano and Lady Barnard have retained the gardens’ distinctive spirit; one in which the character of Raby and its rich history is deeply embedded.
The East Garden is home to a flower garden of grasses and perennials above the tiered grass amphitheatre capable of seating 300 people; the Formal Garden is where guests can see the historic Raby Yew hedge and water feature; and the productive West Garden is dedicated to growing an abundance of flowers for cutting.
Lady Barnard led the Walled Gardens project, which was part of a major three-year restoration development at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to create a new lifestyle destination in the North East, and believes the gardens can be a cultural and calming retreat for visitors.
Lady Barnard said: ‘The gardens have been inspired by Raby’s heritage however now incorporate contemporary planting, Amelanchier woodlands and a series of unique mazes, as well as a tiered grass amphitheater where people can relax as they look out to the castle and enjoy musical and theatrical events.
‘It was a joy to work with Luciano on this project – his talent shines through and I think gardeners with all levels of experience will appreciate his planting schemes, which are just inspired!’
Award-winning garden designer Luciano Giubbilei, who was selected as garden designer of the year in the House & Garden Design Awards 2024, is one of Britain’s most successful garden designers and the newly redesigned Walled Gardens at Raby Castle are his first public project.
The gardens, as well as the wider landscape and extensive public areas which were designed by acclaimed landscape architect Alistair Baldwin, achieved second place in the prestigious and much-anticipated 2025 European Garden Awards. Being shortlisted in the Management or Development of a Historic Park or Garden category alongside other notable European historic gardens was taken as a great compliment by all at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens in County Durham.
Raby Castle’s gardens have also been nominated for the Historic Houses 2025 Garden of the Year Award. Sponsored by Christie's, The Garden of the Year Award recognises the importance of some of the country’s most spectacular gardens with outstanding horticultural and public appeal.
Raby is one of eight shortlisted gardens, which are chosen from among the hundreds of gardens, parks, and grounds that offer free entry to members of Historic Houses, the association that represents and supports the UK’s independent historic homes, castles, and gardens, and voting is open now.
The beautifully designed gardens will also play an integral role in Raby Castle, Park and Gardens’ plans for summer, and will host a selection of open-air theatres in the East Garden.
On selected dates in August, visitors can take a seat and relax in the grass amphitheatre, the first of its kind in the north of England, and watch performances of Shakespeare classics such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing with the 14th century castle in the background.
