Featured Attractions
News
Sep 02, 2010 - The 6th English Open Chainsaw Carving Championship Winners
Aug 24, 2010 - Axe Throwing & Lumberjack Sports Hits Cheshire Game & Country Show
Aug 24, 2010 - Isuzu debuts off-road challenge at Sandringham Game & Country Fair
Aug 19, 2010 - Results and pictures from The Zetland Hunt at Raby Castle
Aug 12, 2010 - Durham Muzzleloaders attending Raby Castle this weekend
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Show Information
The Co Durham Game & Country Fair, Aug 14 to Aug 15, 2010
A traditional Game Fair with Arena events running throughout the day.
Includes a large Dogzone with Lurcher and Terriers, Multiscurry Challenge, Mullenscote Gundog Clinic, Fun Dog Show and Chase the Bunny. Something for every dog lover so do not leave your dog at home.
Visit the Craft Village with a traditional crafts demonstration area, it is an ideal time to buy that special gift. During your visit why not treat yourself to some speciality food and drink from our Food Glorious Food Court. Watch the Resident Chefs as they cook on stage in the Country Kitchen marquee.
Along with a variety of main arena demonstrations including lawn mower racing,falconry and scurry racing there are trade stands and 'Have a Go' sessions you are sure to have an enjoyable day out!
Adults £9.00 OAP's £8.00 Children £4.00
For discounted Advance Tickets
Venue -
Raby Castle,
Staindrop, County Durham, DL2 3AH
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The Falconry Village comprises of a flying arena, indoor training arena, specialised trade stands, static displays, resident falconers plus guests, clubs and everything else you would expect to find at a falconry show.
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Living Heritage hold a number of dog events and demonstrations at the Fairs, with something to interest every dog owner whether it be seeking advice, watching specialist demonstrations or entering your pet dog into the Fun Dog Show.
For the more competitive and professional there are pedigree Dog Shows, Lurcher Racing, Chase The Bunny (fun), Working Tests and The Gundog Multiscurry.
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Target Field Sports are traditionally associated with hunting and / or pest control, although nowadays most of these sports are simply done for fun.
At Living Heritage Game and Country Fairs all that attend are welcome to come have have a go at all of the target sports on offer. As well as beginners, those that are more experienced can enter the series of competitions. (see local press for details)
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At our Country Fairs " Crafts " have always been present as a Craft Marquee, this has developed over the years to a Craft Village. This section of the Show has evolved to include specialist demonstrations such as Glass Blowing, Rural Skills, Blacksmiths, Chainsaw Carving and a potters wheel to name a few.
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 Food Glorious Food will showcase some of the best local and regional produce in the culinary market place today. Now a main feature of the show - Food Glorious Food will be accompanied by local and national retailers.
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Angling is one of the most popular sports and pastimes. Its popularity has increased over the years and many people of all ages and all walks of life enjoy the many different types of fishing.
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Why not take the chance to learn for free at a Living Heritage Game and Country Fair. While enjoying an action packed day take the time to met the experts who will be able to talk and offer advice on a wide and varied range of Country Life Sports and Pursuits.
At the Show you will be able to experience first-hand a number of different Country Life pursuits and disiplines with free 20 minute lessons.
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Other attractions at this show:
Venue Information
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| The Purchase of the Castle (1626)After the failure of the 'Rising of the North' in 1569 the Castle and its lands were forfeited to the Crown until 1626 when Sir Henry Vane the Elder, Member of Parliament and important member of Charles I household, at first his Governor, later his Treasurer, purchased Raby Castle, Barnard Castle and Estate for £18,000. He chose to make Raby his principal home and de-roofed and removed stone from Barnard Castle to repair and maintain Raby.
After the death of the King in 1649, to which he was opposed, he continued to sit in Parliament but because of opposition to Cromwell's policies, ceased to take an active part.
The Beheading of Sir Henry Vane the Younger (1613-1662)Sir Henry Vane the Younger, son of Henry the Elder, rejected the advantages of his class, becoming a Protestant Dissenter believing in the free will of the people which set him against the government of Charles I who sought an absolutist state. At twenty two, disillusioned he lived with his co-religionists in Massachusetts, one of the newly established American colonies where he was elected governor but once more found himself at odds with the rigid dogma of the Dissenters.
After failing to be re-elected he returned to England where he became prominent in the Civil War against Charles I but, like his father, became increasingly dissenchanted with the course of revolution. He opposed the execution of the King in 1649, became persecuted by the Cromwelldictatorship and on restoration of the monarchy was sentenced to death by Charles II on a charge of treason in 1662, being deemed by the King to be "Too dangerous a man to let live". At his public beheading any attempt at a closing speach was deliberately drowned out by trumpets and drums, so he handed a paper to his friends for later publication before laying his head on the block. "He died", recorded Pepys, "as much a martyr and saint as ever man did".
Defence of the Castle (1648)Although Raby is really a defended home rather than a fortress, it has seen action in battle, notably during the English Civil War. Held by Sir George Vane for the Parliamentary forces, it was besieged in 1645 and later in 1648 but suffered little damage. Although Sir Henry the Elder repaired Raby and carried out various building works, it was not until the 18th century that the first major alterations were made to the mediaeval structure.
The First Baron BarnardNo alterations were deemed necessary until 1714 when Sir Christopher Vane, raised to the Peerage in 1698 as the 1st Baron Barnard, in a fit of anger, stripped the Castle of its furniture, lead, iron, glass, doors and boards because his son had married against his wishes. The son, Gilbert, took his father to court and he was forced to pay for repair works.
Castle Restorations in the 18th CenturyHenry, the third Lord Barnard, was created the Earl of Darlington in 1754 and began a programme of restoration, under the guidance of the architect James Paine and carried out the greatest changes to the interior of the South and West ranges of the castle.
His son, also Henry, 2nd Earl, instigated the second period of renovation at Raby in 1768, engaging John Carr to carry out improvements inside and outside the Castle, and on the Estate. The carriageway through the Entrance Hall, with its Gothic vaulting, was constructed at this time and a round tower built on the South front to replace one burnt down earlier in the century. By the end of the 18th century, not only Raby Castle but also its setting were considerably altered: the moat was drained, the Park landscaped, the High and Low Ponds excavated, the Garden laid out and the Stables and ancillary buildings constructed.
19th Century RestorationThe 3rd Earl, William Henry, created Duke of Cleveland in 1833 for his political services, made no significant changes to the Castle, and it was not until his son Henry succeeded as 2nd Dukethat the third period of rebuilding began when he invited William Burn to begin work on the Castle in 1843. Burn continued working at Raby over the next decade, boldly converting the relatively recent south facing round tower into the magnificent Octagon Drawing Roomwhich has recently undergone faithful and extensive restoration, commisioned by the 11th Lord Barnard, so that visitors can enjoy seeing it as it was at this time (more information).
After the death of the fourth and last Duke of Cleveland in 1891, the 9th Lord Barnard, after his accession in 1891, added touches to further enhance its architectural merit, but since then the Castle has remained little altered.
Military Services in the 20th CenturyOn his death in 1918, the 9th Lord Barnard was succeeded by his second son Christopher William Vane, the eldest son Henry having died on active service in 1917. The 10th Lord Barnard served in the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry during the 1st World War and was awarded the M.C. He later commanded the 6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.
Lord Barnard, who was an enthusiastic sportsman, also took an active interest in the Boy Scout movement, being County Commissioner. From 1958 to 1964 he was Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham and custos rotulorum. In 1920, he married Sylvia Mary (who died in 1993), daughter of Herbert Straker, M.F.H. Lord Bamard died in 1964 and was succeeded by his elder son Harry John Neville Vane, llth Baron Bamard, former Lord Lieutenant of County Durham (1970 - 88) and present owner of Raby. Lord Barnard's son and heir is the Hon. Henry Francis Cecil Vane.
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Directions
Raby Castle,
Staindrop, County Durham, DL2 3AH
On the A688
1 mile north of Staindrop
8 miles north east of Barnard Castle, County Durham, UK.
From the North:
Raby Castle is located on the A688 approximately 8 miles north east of Bamard Castle.
When travelling from the north, Raby can be reached via the A1(M) or the A68.
From the A1(M) leave Junction 60.
Travel along the A688 westbound towards West Auckland (where the A68 joins the north) and on towards Bamard Castle.
Raby Castle is positioned on the right hand side.
From the South:
When approaching from the South, leave the A1(M) at Junction 58, travel towards West Auckland, turning left on to the A688 towards Barnard Castle - Raby Castle is on the right hand side.
From the West:
When approaching from the west use the A66 to Bowes, and then the A67 to Barnard Castle, where you will travel through the town, taking the A688 signposted Staindrop and Bishop Auckland.
The Castle will be on your left hand side, approximately one mile east of Staindrop village.
Buses:
Primrose 352 (Blackpool service)
Go Northern 8 (Bishop Auckland - Barnard Castle) to castle gates
Arriva 75 to Staindrop (1mile/1.5km)
Go Northern 12 to Keverstone Grange (½ mile/800 metres)
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