How to get toRaby Castle, Park and Gardenscar-free
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Visit Raby Castle, Park and Gardens car-free
Travel a greener way for 10% off.
It can be easy to visit Raby Castle car-free. The castle is located in County Durham.
Buses run from: Barnard Castle (15 mins), Bishop Auckland (30 mins) and Darlington (35 mins).
If you travel from Durham, you can change buses at Bishop Auckland or Cockfield.
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
Discount: Enjoy 10% off admission with a valid bus ticket.
For more money-saving tips see our handy guides to UK trains and buses.
Within the North East Combined Authority area, visit by bus for a maximum of £2.50 single or get a day’s unlimited bus, Metro and Shields Ferry travel from anywhere within the North East Combined Authority area for £7.50 by buying a TNE Day Saver.
For journeys wholly within County Durham you can buy a Durham Day Rover and travel all day for just £6.
Passengers aged 5-21 can get £1 single or £3 regionwide day tickets. However, kids aged 5-11 travel free on the bus with an adult during school holidays (up to three children aged 11 and under). This offer applies within the North East Combined Authority – County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
All other bus tickets and passes are also valid for the discount offer.
See full fares offers and information at www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/bus.
For those travelling from outside the North East Combined Authority area, the £3 national fare cap applies.
View rolling hills and dry stone walls on bus route 85 from Barnard Castle.
Kids’ activities at Raby Castle include an adventure playground, sheets and special events.
Cycling routes can be obtained from the admissions team when purchasing your ticket. Here’s a PDF map, or you can download the app.
Plan your cycle route here to the car-park, which has bike racks.
If you fancy an adventure further afield, you can get a 50p discount at Raby Estate’s High Force Waterfall, which is a couple of hours away.
Walking routes can be obtained from the admissions team when purchasing your ticket. Here’s a PDF map, or you can download the app.
Taxis can be found at the large train station in Darlington, or booked ahead with: Station – 01325 468 888. Bishop Auckland train station also has a taxi rank. You can phone in advance with: Cables – 01388 602 313.
Find accessibility information for transport and Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. Bishop Auckland and Darlington train stations have step-free access.
Discover more North East offers and days out with Good Journey.
Get updated bus information with web or app or by texting the stop code to: 84268.
Getting to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens car-free
Here's our recommended route to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
By bus from Barnard Castle
Two buses run from Barnard Castle to Raby Castle. Bus 85 and bus 84 each run a few times per day (none on Sundays). Bus 6 runs a couple of times in the evenings (none on Sundays).
Buses leave from Galgate – Commercial Hotel and pass the War Memorial. The journey takes about 15 minutes.
Jump off at Raby Castle, North Lodge. Ask the driver to let you know when you’re near. It’s then a 3-minute walk.
There are also regular (less on Sundays) buses to Staindrop from Barnard Castle (buses X75, 84, 85, 10-15 mins). The village has a couple of tea rooms and pubs. It’s a 30-40 minute walk to Raby Castle. You will need to walk along the pavement on Keverston Bank road to North Lodge entrance, since the gate at the South of the estate is not open.
By bus from Darlington
Bus 84 runs a few times per day (none on Sundays). Buses leave from Tubwell Row. The journey takes about 35 minutes.
Jump off at Raby Castle, North Lodge. Ask the driver to let you know when you’re near. It’s then a 3-minute walk.
There are regular (less on Sundays) buses to Staindrop from Barnard Castle (bus X75 and bus 84, 30 mins). The village has a couple of tea rooms and pubs. It’s a 30-40 minute walk to Raby Castle. You will need to walk along the pavement on Keverston Bank road to North Lodge entrance, since the gate at the South of the estate is not open.
By bus from Durham via Bishop Auckland
From Durham to Bishop Auckland:
Bus X21 and bus 6 run from Durham bus station through Bishop Auckland town centre. The journey takes about 45 minutes. Jump off at Bishop Auckland Medical Centre or Tindale Superstore.
From Bishop Auckland to Raby Castle:
Bus 85 runs a few times per day (none on Sundays). Buses leave from Newgate Street via the Medical Centre and Tindale Superstore. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Jump off at Raby Castle, North Lodge. Ask the driver to let you know when you’re near. It’s then a 3-minute walk.
From Durham via Cockfield
Bus 6 runs to Cockfield village (with a couple of shops and pubs). The journey takes about 75 minutes.
Bus 85 and bus 84 run a few times per day (none on Sundays), from anywhere along Front Street or Mount Pleasant in Cockfield. The journey to Raby Castle takes about 5 minutes.
Jump off at Raby Castle, North Lodge. Ask the driver to let you know when you’re near. It’s then a 3-minute walk.
By train via Bishop Auckland
There are two train stations in Bishop Auckland, but they are side-by-side.
There are direct trains to Bishop Auckland on the Bishop Line section of the Tees Valley Line from: Darlington (25 mins), Eaglescliffe (40 mins), Middlesbrough (55 mins) and Saltburn (80 mins).
Heritage trains run seasonally to Bishop Auckland West on the Weardale Railway from: Stanhope (55 mins) and Wolsingham (35 mins). Check the times before you depart.
Bus 85 runs a few times per day (none on Sundays). Buses leave from the Medical Centre on Newgate Street. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Jump off at Raby Castle, North Lodge. Ask the driver to let you know when you’re near. It’s then a 3-minute walk.
By train via Darlington
There are direct trains to Darlington from:
- East Coast Mainline and app: Doncaster (55 mins), Durham (15 mins), Edinburgh (2 hrs), London Kings Cross (2.5), Morpeth (50 mins), Newcastle (30 mins), Northallerton (10 mins), York (30 mins),
- Tees Valley Line: Bishop Auckland, (25 mins), Eaglescliffe (15 mins), Middlesbrough (30 mins) and Saltburn (55 mins),
- Cross Pennines: Leeds (50 mins), Liverpool (3 hrs), Manchester (2 hrs),
- Birmingham (3 hrs) and other cities.
Bus 84 runs a few times per day (none on Sundays). Buses leave from Tubwell Row. The journey takes about 35 minutes.
Jump off at Raby Castle, North Lodge. Ask the driver to let you know when you’re near. It’s then a 3-minute walk.
About Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
Visit one of the most impressive intact castles in England. Raby Castle, built by the powerful Nevilles in the 14th century, has been the family home of the Vanes for nearly 400 years.
Venture inside the powerful exteriors and explore superb collections and unique stories of the people who lived and worked here.
Explore acres of unexpected beauty, complete with heritage buildings and remodelled gardens. Enjoy stylish shopping, must-see events and woodland play. Savour local food that is as fresh as it gets, sourced from or inspired by the Estate.
For any queries about visiting contact Raby Castle, Park and Gardens on 01833 660202 or [email protected]
Address: Raby Castle, Staindrop, County Durham, DL2 3AH. Visit Website