Dragons, history and space for half term at Raby Estates
Families can travel through time and space this February half term with a series of brand-new activities across Raby Estates.
At Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, a time-travelling adventure awaits at the new servant school inside the medieval castle. Designed as a hands-on learning experience, it gives children the chance to explore history by stepping into the day-to-day roles of castle servants from over 100 years ago.
Families can journey through the 14th-century castle and take part in special tasks along the way – from household chores to helping prepare supper for the family. Children can also complete activities on a complimentary trail sheet to earn gold coin stamps and receive their very own wage slip at the end of the experience.
Tim Dodgson, Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator at Raby Castle, said:
“Around 1.5 million people worked in domestic service in 1900, from regular households to palaces and castles. And surprisingly, it offered opportunities for a varied career and progression. You could start as a scullery maid or stewards room boy and work up to the senior roles of Housekeeper or Butler, with a whole variety of jobs along the way.
“We’ve brought to life many of these important roles and people from Raby’s past in the restored rooms on our castle tour, but our servant school will shine a light on Raby’s history for our younger visitors and ensure learning about history is even more fun. It’s going to be a fantastic addition for the February half term alongside the return of our themed castle explorer tours.”
Another journey into the past awaits at Raby’s woodland adventure playground, The Plotters’ Forest. For the first school holiday of 2026, Raby has created a magical new experience with Dragon Quest – a world of wonder featuring clues hidden throughout the immersive play area that young knights and dames must discover as they dash through the forest.
Children can enjoy plenty of outdoor adventure as they explore the woodland route at The Plotters’ Forest, featuring musical instruments, talking tubes, mischief mirrors, a giant memory game, spinning signposts, towers, climbing ladders, a slide and treetop tunnels.
Over at High Force Waterfall, just a 30-minute drive from Raby Castle, families can explore all things astronomy this half term with a brand-new space adventure trail, set within a natural landscape renowned for having some of the darkest skies in the country.
Space-themed clues and facts will be discovered while wandering through the winding woodlands, with families ticking them off on a complimentary trail sheet to reveal a mystery word.
Andrew Lindsey, General Manager at High Force Hotel and Waterfall, said:
“We host our sell-out Stargazing Suppers at High Force throughout the winter months, and our family stargazing sessions also proved to be extremely popular last October.
“Building on this theme, we can’t wait to introduce our space explorer trail for the half term, which I’m sure will spark curiosity in the young space cadets who visit, as they enjoy the perfect way to explore the wonders of the night sky, during the day. We hope to see many of the families visiting the waterfall at the hotel too, as they take a moment to treat themselves to some lunch after their inter-galactic adventures.”
High Force will continue to offer its family saver ticket during the February half term, admitting two adults and two children to the waterfall. The ticket costs £10 when purchased online, or £12 when bought onsite.
Raby’s Family Explorer ticket is available for £60 when purchased online and provides two adults and two children with access-all-areas entry, including the new activities at the castle and The Plotters’ Forest, daily free activities such as seed sowing, and entry to Raby’s picturesque Deer Park and Walled Gardens. Alternatively, the Family Explorer ticket can be purchased on the day for £65.
All activities begin on Saturday 14 February and run until Sunday 1 March, with the Dragon Quest trail at The Plotters’ Forest and the Space Adventure trail at High Force extended until Sunday 29 March.
For further information and to book tickets, visit:
www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/whats-on/