Raby Castle is located in County Durham near the village of Staindrop. In around 1378 the manor of Staindrop was granted to John Neville, Baron de Raby by the Bishop of Durham who owned the land. The baron started the construction of a castle almost immediately. The site of the castle is supposed to date back to the time of King Canute who had a mansion there. The castle remained in the Neville family until Charles Neville, sixth Earl of Westmoreland sided with Mary Queen of Scots and had to flee the country. His castle was taken control of by the Crown in 1569/70. Around fifty years later the castle was bought by Sir Henry Vane. Kings Charles I visited the castle in 1633 and 1639. The plan of the castle is irregular and has a low outer wall surrounded by a ditch which is fiilled with water to the south. Entrance to the castle is via a gatehouse on the northern side. The inner part of the castle consists of several square interconnected towers.

A Norman Castle built in around 1200 by the Norman knight Adam de Rupe. The D-shaped tower is situated on a rocky outcrop. The castle is privately owned and is used as a hotel.

emains of a major medieval castle.

ccording to medieval accounts this abbey for nuns was founded either by Edward the Elder in 907 or by King Edgar some years later. Although the nuns were removed by King Henry VIII during the Suppression of the Monasteries, the building survived because it was sold to the local people so that they could use it as their parish church. The nave consists of seven bays and the transepts have apsidal (semicircular) chapels. The nave has sections built in in different periods. The majority is Norman but the three western bays are Early English.

This castle on the south castle of England was built in reponse to threats of attacks by the French. King Henry III ordered Peter of Savoy to construct a castle to protect the town of Rye.