The festive season is taking shape at one of Northern England’s prominent heritage attractions as operators prepare for their winter programming.
Following a return to winter opening last year, a County Durham estate is expanding its holiday portfolio for 2026, as tickets officially went on sale on 31 July for the upcoming Christmas events at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.
A notable addition to the 2026 itinerary is the Santa-Paws experience. Scheduled for 11 December, the session allows dogs to meet Father Christmas in the estate’s Yuletide Yurt. The event provides a photo opportunity for owners and includes a take-home treat for the dogs. The ticket price is set at £7.50 per pet.
Sophie Brown, sales and events manager at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, noted the importance of including pets in the seasonal offering. “Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a festive experience for the furry members of the family and our new Santa-Paws event ensures that no one is left out of the Christmas celebrations at Raby,” she said.
She also highlighted the venue’s suitability, adding: “We’ve held numerous dog events here, including Bark in the Park, plus our Deer Park is a fantastic place for owners to walk their furry companions, and it’ll be wonderful to now share the festive magic with man’s best friend”.
Immersive installations
Last year, Raby Castle opened its doors for the festive period for the first time in fifty years. For the 2026 season, operators are expanding the visitor route by adding two new ground-floor rooms. This update is designed to show how estate staff historically celebrated the holidays. Visitors will see the Servants’ Hall, a space where staff traditionally gathered to rest and sew, dressed for a Christmas Day celebration.
Adjacent to this, the kitchen will feature a new immersive installation designed by Tom Le Bon. The installation aims to showcase the energy and preparation behind the main Christmas meal. Raby Castle is also introducing additional technology and projections throughout the venue to create a sensory experience incorporating movement and light, with specific candlelit dates also planned. Admission for the castle experience starts from £25 per adult, opening on 14 November.
Magical workshops
The broader winter programme sees the return of several staple events. Families can access The Enchanted Forest trail through The Plotters’ Forest adventure playground during both daylight and dusk hours, with tickets starting at £14 per child. Traditional meet and greet sessions with Father Christmas inside the castle will run from 21 November through to Christmas Eve. Alternatively, guests can book to see Mr and Mrs Claus in the Yuletide Yurt between 6 and 20 December. A Winter Family Explorer ticket is available online for £70, granting two adults and two children access to the castle, forest trail, deer park and gardens.
The estate is leveraging its food and beverage spaces by offering festive afternoon teas in the castle’s Entrance Hall and The Vinery Cafe. A Christmas market is also scheduled for 27 to 29 November. Furthermore, a series of seasonal workshops will provide additional engagement. These include a Christmas Pudding Masterclass in early November and wreath-making sessions in December led by Deborah Simpson Boston, the estate’s floristry resident and owner of Periwinkle Barn. Additional workshops will cover festive garlands, luxury door swags and tablescaping.
Further expanding the Raby Estate‘s winter offering, the nearby High Force Hotel and Waterfall is marketing residential packages. A three-night Christmas package from 24 to 27 December includes dining, accommodation, and tickets to a Boxing Day pantomime at Darlington Hippodrome. The hotel is also running a December dining offer alongside Twixmas and New Year’s Eve stays.
