Raby’s harvest market is the ultimate bank holiday event

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens’ Harvest Food and Gift Market will take place from Saturday, August 29 to Monday, August 31.

It will bring together local producers, street food vendors, live music and artisan stalls in a celebration of the harvest season.

A range of food and drinks vendors will be dotted around Raby Castle for the Harvest Food and Gift Market over the bank holiday weekend. (Image: TRACY KIDD)

Just outside of Darlington, the event will be run across the estates Riding School and Dutch Barn between 10am and 4pm each day.

The weekend will feature a mix of food, drink and shopping opportunities, where visitors will be able to browse everything from seasonal produce and sweet treats to handcrafted jewellery, homeware and other authentic gifts.

As summer begins to draw to a close and thoughts turn towards autumn, organisers say this year’s event will feature more vendors than ever before.

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens popular Harvest Food and Gift Market. (Image: TRACY KIDD)

Raby’s chef will be serving food from the barbecue throughout the weekend, while a pop-up tipi will also be dishing out stone-baked pizzas.

Visitors can also into The Vinery Café, which serves dishes inspired by and sourced from across the Raby Estate.

The Garage Café will be serving ice creams and iced coffees throughout the weekend, while nearby shops offer plenty of inspiration for those looking to pick up gifts, clothing, toys or skincare products.

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens popular Harvest Food and Gift Market. (Image: TRACY KIDD)

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens popular Harvest Food and Gift Market. (Image: TRACY KIDD)

Live music and family entertainment will be running throughout the weekend, giving visitors plenty to enjoy between browsing stalls and sampling food.

Sophie Brown, sales and events manager at Raby Castle, said: “Our harvest market is a wonderful way to mark the end of summer.

“Celebrate the bounty of harvest and a chance to get outside and make the most of the bank holiday too.

“We’ve updated the name of our market to feature food and gift as the options available this year are greater than ever before, with more street food vendors and stalls to browse, making it a jam-packed event for friends, families and couples to explore.”

The weekend also coincides with the final opportunity for visitors to experience Castle in Bloom, Raby’s floral summer display that has transformed castle rooms and buildings with a series of colourful exhibits inspired by nature.

Visitors can also grab a last minute glimpse at the Castle in Bloom displays before they are taken down. (Image: TRACY KIDD)

Visitors can also grab a last minute glimpse at the Castle in Bloom displays before they are taken down. (Image: TRACY KIDD)

Visitors are should also take a look through Raby’s Deer Park and Walled Gardens, and take their children to try out The Plotters’ Forest adventure playground.

The Hidden Forest is another ideal hotspot to keep the children entertained, with a new section doubling the size of Raby’s play area to include new challenges such as a stilt walk, balance beam, parallel bars, cascading wall and double swing.

Visitors who want to make the most of Raby Castle during their visit to the markets can buy special bank holiday tickets to access to all of the attractions across the wider estate for just £20.

Standard market entrance tickets are £2 if booked in advance, or £5 on the door, with free tickets for children under 15.