Immersive Hidden Garden experience blooms at
Raby Castle this summer
Visitors are invited to discover a magical new indoor attraction at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens this summer with the launch of the Hidden Garden, an immersive floral experience designed to delight children and adults alike.
Building on the success of Castle in Bloom, which has transformed Raby Castle and the surrounding visitor buildings with spectacular nature-inspired floral displays, the Hidden Garden offers families another enchanting adventure celebrating the beauty of the natural world.
Running from Saturday 4th July until Sunday 23rd August, the experience takes over the historic 18th century Riding School and features a grass-walled maze, a beautifully themed English Country Garden installation and a dedicated activity area packed with interactive fun.
Young visitors can lose themselves in a 1.2m-high garden maze, decorated with colourful butterflies, flowers and wooden tree silhouettes, as they search for the way through. Along the journey, the space is brought to life with atmospheric music, colourful kaleidoscope projections and sparkling lights reflecting from a rotating mirror ball.
Beyond the maze, visitors will discover a picturesque English Country Garden scene complete with trees draped in wisteria branches, lush ficus foliage, fairy lights and charming toadstools surrounding a peaceful water fountain at its centre.
A blossom-covered tree, inspired by those found in Raby's Walled Gardens, features a wooden swing creating the perfect photo opportunity before families continue into the activity zone, where giant garden-themed games provide plenty of entertainment.
The adventure begins by passing through an elegant Gothic-style tunnel, decorated with foliage and twinkling lights, before reaching the wooden doorway leading into the Hidden Garden.
Sophie Brown, sales and events manager at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens said: “Our vision of bringing nature inside this summer has been a tremendous success, with our Castle in Bloom installation impressing all who have visited, but we had one more building in the castle grounds that was ready to become its very own oasis for children over summer.
“Whilst our new hidden garden and sensory-friendly experience will appeal to all ages, we wanted to make sure that it had plenty of interactive and explorative elements to spark the imaginations of our younger visitors.
“The Hidden Garden experience can be enjoyed at your own pace and as an indoor addition, it will also be the perfect place to shelter from those summer showers or midday sunshine.”
Families can continue their nature-themed adventure throughout the summer holidays by visiting The Plotters' Forest woodland adventure playground, where the popular Cyril the Squirrel will be making appearances at selected times alongside a carnival-themed celebration and an interactive trail.
Visitors can also enjoy walks through Raby's picturesque Deer Park and explore the award-winning 18th century Walled Gardens, home to beautiful planting schemes throughout the season.
For refreshments, The Vinery Cafe is serving a range of freshly prepared seasonal dishes, while the Garage Cafe offers ice creams, drinks and sweet treats.
As part of the Government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, Raby is offering a 15% VAT saving on family tickets and children's meals until Tuesday 1st September.
The Family Explorer Ticket, which includes entry to the Hidden Garden, Raby Castle and its Flower Passport Children's Trail, a daily family tour on the castle terrace (from 11th July), The Plotters' Forest, Deer Park and Walled Gardens, is now £65.80 for two adults and two children when booked online in advance. Children under four go free.
Standalone tickets for the Hidden Garden experience are also available, priced at £4.38 for adults, £4.38 for children aged 4 to 15 and £2.19 for children under four.
For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.raby.co.uk/events/the-hidden-garden-an-immersive-experience/