Raby Castle stands near Staindrop in County Durham, England. It rises among 200 acres of deer park. John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, built it between 1367 and 1390. Cecily Neville, mother to Kings Edward IV and Richard III, was born here.
In 1569, Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, led the Rising of the North to support Mary, Queen of Scots. He failed, and Raby Castle fell to the Crown. Sir Henry Vane the Elder bought it in 1626. The Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland later added a Gothic entrance hall and an octagonal drawing room.
The castle, known for its size and art, including works by old masters and portraits, saw extensive changes in the 17th and 18th centuries. From 1833 to 1891, it was home to the Dukes of Cleveland, who still hold the title of Lord Barnard. The poet Christopher Smart frequented Raby Castle from age eleven. He eloped briefly at thirteen with Anne Vane, daughter of Henry Vane.
You can visit Raby Castle today. See https://www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/.
