Alumni and guests are invited to join the Northumbrian Cambridge Association for their spring outing & walk at Raby Castle.

Raby Castle is a medieval castle located near Staindrop in County Durham, among 200 acres of deer park. It was built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, between approximately 1367 and 1390. Cecily Neville, the mother of the Kings Edward IV and Richard III, was born here. After Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, led the failed Rising of the North in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1569, Raby Castle was taken into royal custody. Sir Henry Vane the Elder purchased Raby Castle in 1626 and neighboring Barnard Castle from the Crown, and the Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland added a Gothic-style entrance hall and octagonal drawing-room. From 1833 to 1891 they were the Dukes of Cleveland and they retain the title of Lord Barnard. Extensive alterations were carried out in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is famed for both its size and its art, including works by old masters and portraits. Accessibility inside the Castle is limited, due to the historical nature of the building, but there is a disabled parking area and staff will arrange access into the Castle.

We will meet at the Castle entrance at 9.45 am, whence at 10.00 am we shall be escorted to the Grand Hall by Raby guide(s) for refreshments prior to a tour of the Castle (tour starts no later than 10.20 am, lasts approximately 90 minutes), followed by a soup and sandwich lunch in Café Yurt. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve a seating area, however, you can select seating upon collection of your pre-booked lunch, or you can take your lunch to the picnic area in the wider park to enjoy. After lunch, you will have the option of a short walk, through the walled garden and around the perimeter of the castle, with views of Raby’s famous herds of red and fallow deer, or possibly a longer walk, ranging further through the 200-acre estate.