The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens — Attraction in Raby with Keverstone

This place was something else! They do tell you everything the kids can go on adults can. I have added a flattering photo of my 5ft 5 larger self attempting to follow my 12 and 7 year old. It is accessible for adults but a challenge in places. Also there is a fireman's pole to finish off part of the course which my boys delighted in watching me tackle for the first time on 20 years! At the top of the forest is a good hit that serves hot and cold drinks with a range of foods, from toasties, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits. Above the shop is a small seating area with 6 picnic benches slightly larger than your usual benches. There were a few wasps keen to visit us while eating but other than that it was. Nice place to sit. Packed lunches are also fine to bring here too. Accessibility for wheelchairs is actually good although the climbing activities aren't accessible unless a lot of support is given. There are steps to the top as you come in but there is a ramp that weaves throughout the climbing activities that takes you from top to bottom although the picnic area is not accessible there is some seating around the food hut. Throughout the ramp there are multiple "hidden" items for kids to find and tick off which got all our family involved. Car park for Plotters forest is further up from Raby castle, it's all tarmac and signposted well if walking from the castle. Coaches are allowed on site with their own parking and group...

Struggled to rate this one. The kids did enjoy it but it is overpriced for what it is. I love that the money goes back into the area for further development, however in its current state it is simply not worth the entry fee in my opinion. Would perhaps do better with set child prices and donations from adults as to be honest there's not too much for the adults to be involved in. It cost £45 for our family of two adults and two four year olds. The entrances to the two main and largest obstacles aren't really adult friendly, and they come out at a totally different place so adults have to race around the other size to get to the kids coming out. The first one ends with a fireman's pole and the second with a slide. Apart from that there's not too much to do and explore. We ended up going around the slide about 6 times but there was a big queue each time because every other kid was doing the same thing. It's a fab idea and I'm sure with development it will be a lovely area in a few years. But it just didn't seem worth the price at all for us, especially compared to what we were expecting from the website... We can go down a bigger slide for free at the park behind our house. Would love to explore the castle again but think I would give...

I sadly can't recommend this at all. It's like they have forgotten what this is meant to be- a play area. It's very nice and picturesque, but it's sadly boring for anyone wanting to, well, 'play'. There's a fireman's pole (so not all kids will want to do that anyway), a couple of small climbing wall sections (about four feet high) and a tunnel slide. That's about it really. The cost is astronomical for what you get. And they have the cheek to say no picnics either! As others have said children above 6-ish will have done everything and be bored after ten minutes, possibly less if they move quickly. Raby Estates are forgetting the long game as there will be very few repeat customers at this price and not worth travelling any distance for either. And word of mouth won't bring many in either. I'd give it one star but a bonus mark added as it is very pretty but what kids care about the scenery? Unless they either expand by around 400% (really) or cut the price to around £3 per child and adults free then don't bother. They are being greedy. (Tip if you do visit, drive to the far end of the car park as it was empty there and actually closest to the...