BOASTING interactive designs, towering slides, climbing walls, balance beams and climbing netting – Raby Castle’s new adventure playground The Plotters’ Forest is set to become a firm family favourite when it opens its gates to the public next Friday (April 15).
Towering above the trees in the castle’s Christmas tree plantation, the first thing that hits you about the new playground is the vastness of it all.
Spanning several hundred metres, the Plotters’ Forest features numerous familiar nods towards Raby Castle, including the design, with some of the playground taking inspiration from some of Raby Castle’s architectural history, including the famous Nevill Gateway.
Read more: Open date REVEALED for new playground at Raby Castle - here's when
Inspired by its own past, the Raby playground will arrive ready for the Easter weekend, as children have the option to experience sky-high turrets and treetop tunnels in the Plotters’ Spire, before slipping down the slides and interacting with the ground-level games that surround the structure, including ‘speaking devices’ and xylophones.
Before children get the chance to run wild and enjoy the equipment next week, The Northern Echo had a first look at the facility and get a first-hand view of what families can look forward to in the future.
As you walk up towards the structure, Raby Castle is currently working on new car park facilities and adding the finishing touches on certain sections before next Friday’s ‘grand reveal’.
Here's what to look forward to at Plotters' Forest:
Pictures: SARAH CALDECOTT.
After getting through the main gateway of the playground, it’s an overload for the senses – a youngster’s paradise which features climbing walls, a tunnel and netting to scale the three-floor centrepiece tower to get to the slide.
Speaking to project lead and head of Leisure and Tourism at the Raby Estate, Claire Jones, she told The Northern Echo that the project has taken around eight months to complete but is excited to finally see the team’s vision become a reality.
She said: “We’re super excited to be opening this playground, all the staff at Raby have been waiting for his moment. Easter can’t come quick enough. We’ve seen a lot of interest and people contacting us about it. It’s a magical space for all the family.
The Northern Echo took a sneak peak round Plotters' Forest today:
“We’ve tried to make the playground sustainable, and the amazing work of the builders has meant that we’ve managed to weave the playground through the Christmas Tree Plantation.”
All the new features will also be joined by the new catering kiosk, The Plotters’ Pantry, which serves takeaway hot and cold drinks, freshly made sandwiches, snacks, cake and ice cream and conveniently overlooks the toddlers’ play area, which includes mini turrets, climbing equipment and chalkboards.
The Plotters’ Pantry will also offer ‘stargazing’ opportunities in the future, which Raby Estate will update on soon enough.
More pictures of Plotters' Forest - opening next Friday (April 15):
Pictures: SARAH CALDECOTT.
From looking around Plotters’ Forest, it’s easy to see how its managed to sell out of its ticketed timeslots over the Easter holidays. However, if you were planning to visit the new adventure playground during Easter, there’s still plenty of opportunities to visit.
If you’re also a little too old to enjoy the benefits of the playground, Raby Estate has promised that there’s potential for ‘grown-up- evenings, which will give the opportunity for adults to attend specialist events and take in Plotters’ Forest.
Claire added: “There’s such demand and interest. Everyone is trying to book tickets online, which we encourage. While the Easter holidays is booked up, we’re open every single day moving forward so there’ll be enough tickets for everyone.
To build suspense, here's a video released from Raby Estate:
“Plotters’ Pantry has the potential for stargazing opportunities, and I’m sure there’ll be loads of ideas coming in for how to get adults involved too so watch this space.”
Plotters’ Forest is part of a wider Rising project at Raby, which will include the significant restoration and renovation of several historical buildings on the estate, the creation of a new café and events space, as well as a new visitor hub and landscaped areas. The wider site will launch in Summer 2023.
The Plotters’ Forest will open to the public on Good Friday, 15th April with tickets now on sale here.
Prices for the Park & Plotters’ Forest cost: £8 for adults, £7.50 for children and £29 for a family ticket. A concession ticket is also available at £7.
Prices for Raby Castle, Park & Plotters’ Forest cost: £13 for adults, £10 for children and £45 for a family ticket. A concession ticket is also available at £12.
The wooden boardwalk through the playground is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair, creating a fun and inclusive space for all of Raby’s visitors.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel