The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle
Darlington, County Durham
About The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle
Welcome to The Plotters’ Forest, a bespoke children’s play area that’s north of Raby Castle, nestled in a magical Christmas tree plantation. Built around existing trees and natural clearings with sustainable materials, the play equipment feels woven into the forest; an extension of the great outdoors.
Tickets include access to the 200-acre picturesque deer park where the red and fallow deer roam amongst the stunning castle backdrop.
Things To Do
Enter through the towering gateway and disappear into the dense woodland playground. Explore ground-level forest trails, then climb to high walkways and towers. Become part of a world of magic and mischief: create a cacophony of outdoor musical instruments and match pairs on the giant memory game, or strike a Plotters’ Portrait pose and cause chaos with their spinning signposts!
Visitors young and old will love getting lost amongst exhilarating views, sky-high turrets and treetop tunnels, before spreading out on the stargazing deck and slipping down the slide. Send your fellow plotters coded messages through the Talking Tubes, and spot enemies in the Mischief Mirrors. And for the very smallest rebels, there’s a dedicated toddler area: think mini turrets, climbing equipment, a slide and a chalkboard for drawing secret squiggles.
At The Plotters' Forest, they firmly believe that building a relationship with the outdoors inspires children to be resilient, curious and courageous. In an increasingly digital and risk-averse world, The Plotters’ Forest playground is a setting where little ones – and their imaginations – can run wild.
Plus, each season brings new excitement with magnificent February Half Term, Easter, May Half Term, Summer, Halloween and Christmas Trails!
Opening Times
- Monday, Closed
- Tuesday, Closed
- Wednesday, Closed
- Thursday, Closed
- Friday, Closed
- Saturday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Sunday, 10:00 - 16:00
Weekends and Holiday periods 10:00 - 16:00
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (4-15) : £8.50
- Adult (15-18+) : £9.00
- Child (0-4) : Free
Concession: £8.00
Family (2+3): £30.00
HH Member: £5.00
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle by visiting our attraction tickets section.
Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time 3 - 4 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Contact Details
Transport Information
Travelling by car?
Raby Castle is located near the village of Staindrop in County Durham, England. So, if you're travelling by car, you can use the following directions:
From Durham: Take the A167 north towards Crook, and then follow the signs to Raby Castle near Staindrop.
From Darlington: Head west on the A67 towards Barnard Castle, and follow the signs to Raby Castle near Staindrop.
From the A1(M): Exit at Junction 56 if you're coming from the south or Junction 60 if you're coming from the north. Then, follow the signs to Raby Castle near Staindrop.
Travelling by bus?
Hop on the bus from North Lodge, where you'll find the below services:
Scarlet Band Route 84 runs between the towns of Darlington and Barnard Castle via Bishop Auckland and Cockfield village.
From Durham, hop on the service 6 Arriva bus via Bishop Auckland to Cockfieldm which runs every half an hour. Then at Cockfield change to bus 84 towards Raby Castle.
Travelling by train?
The nearest train station to Raby Castle is Darlington Station. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the castle.
Verification
Verified Status:
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle Reviews
Recent blog posts
Mundo Pixar London opens on February 13, 2026, covering 3,500 square meters of immersive family fun. The exhibition lasts 45 to 55 minutes and is located at Fulton Road, Wembley, HA9 0TF. Families can expect unforgettable experiences with beloved Pixar characters. Plan to explore this exciting attraction for memorable moments together.
“67” is Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year, reflecting its popularity among Generation Alpha on social media. The trend originated from a viral TikTok in October 2024 and gained traction with the “67 Kid” in March 2025. The term connects to basketball, notably LaMelo Ball’s height of 6 ft 7 in. Understanding this trend provides insights into youth culture and evolving language.
UK school holidays in 2026 include key breaks such as spring (April 1-14), summer (July 24 – September 4), and autumn (October 21-29). Popular family days out include theme parks, museums, and nature reserves. Planning around these dates maximizes family time and memorable experiences.
Easter 2026 falls early in April, offering families a long weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday. This timing allows for effective holiday planning, maximizing time off work and school. Families can take advantage of this movable feast based on lunar cycles to enjoy spring vacations together. Planning ahead ensures a memorable holiday experience.
Trick or Treat Tracker: Revolutionising Halloween with Community-Powered Navigation Every October 31st, families face the same dilemma: which neighbourhoods offer the best trick-or-treating experience? Which houses go all-out with decorations? Where are the full-size candy bars hiding? For years, this knowledge has been passed down through word-of-mouth, scattered across neighbourhood Facebook groups, or discovered…
The new Harry Potter TV series premieres in 2027, casting over 30,000 actors for key roles. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, with Janet McTeer as McGonagall. Fans praise the fresh casting approach, retaining the essence of original characters. This series aims to reignite the magical universe for a new generation.
The Coca-Cola Truck Tour 2025 will visit 15 rumoured UK locations, bringing festive cheer and supporting FareShare’s mission to reduce hunger. Each attendee helps donate the equivalent of a meal to those in need. The tour enhances holiday spirit with free drinks and lights, making it a family favorite. Catch the magic of Christmas with Coca-Cola this season.
Universal Studios UK is generating excitement with confirmed and rumored attractions, although details remain sparse. Universal Destinations emphasizes that it’s too early to finalize offerings. Community enthusiasm is palpable, signaling a potential shift in the UK theme park landscape. The project aims to enhance local economy and infrastructure. Stay updated for developments that promise to reshape family entertainment in the region.