Raby Castle’s gardens achieve second place in international award

Raby Castle’s recent landscape design scheme and remodelled 18^th century Walled Gardens have achieved second place in the prestigious 2025 European Garden Awards.

The achievement for the County Durham destination was in the Management or Development of a Historic Park or Garden category, with the first prize going to the Promenades de Reims in Reims, France. A fellow UK nominee, the South Cliff Gardens, was also awarded second place alongside Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

Since 2010, around 140 winners from 23 countries have received an award from the European Garden Award. Most of these have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to the maintenance and development of historic gardens, contemporary garden design, and exemplary climate adaptation initiatives.

The award acknowledged both the remodelling of the Walled Gardens, led by award-winning garden designer Luciano Giubbilei in creative collaboration with Lady Barnard, and the redesign of Raby Castle’s extensive public areas throughout the grounds, which was managed by acclaimed landscape architect Alistair Baldwin. Both projects were completed in 2024 as part of the landmark three-year regeneration development at Raby Castle.

Lady Barnard, creative director and custodian of Raby Castle and Estates who was heavily involved in the redesign of the Walled Gardens, said: “We’re immensely proud to have achieved international recognition for the beautiful gardens and spaces throughout Raby Castle’s grounds and I’d like to extend my thanks and congratulations to both Luciano and Alistair. The spaces they have created are elegant, tranquil and perfectly encapsulate the fascinating heritage of Raby.”

Raby Castle’s Walled Gardens have also been nominated for the Historic Houses 2025 Garden of the Year Award. Sponsored by Christie’s, The Garden of the Year Award recognises the importance of some of the country’s most spectacular gardens with outstanding horticultural and public appeal.

Dickon Harding, Gardens and Landscape Manager at Raby Castle said: “The gardens team have worked exceptionally hard to maintain the impressive vision of both Luciano and Lady Barnard, ensuring the five-acre space continues to flourish as they had hoped and envisaged.

“It’s been wonderful to see how the three different areas within the Walled Gardens have matured over the different seasons, and we feel an immense sense of pride that we get to work in such a peaceful and beautiful place, steeped in history. Winning the Garden of the Year Award would be a brilliant achievement and thank you to everyone who has already voted for Raby in this category.”

Raby is one of eight shortlisted gardens, chosen from among the hundreds of gardens, parks, and grounds that offer free entry to members of Historic Houses, the association that represents and supports the UK’s independent historic homes, castles, and gardens, and voting is open now.

To vote for Raby Castle, Park and Gardens in Historic Houses’ 2025 Garden of the Year Award, please visit: www.historichouses.org/vote-goya/

For more information about Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, please visit: www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle