Thumbelina!

Raby Castle 2024

The Brief

We were delighted to be invited to back to the spectacular Raby Castle in Summer 2024! Sat behind a moat and surrounded by spacious parkland, the castle is a hidden gem and a must see for castle enthusiasts everywhere! Having had a fantastic time on the Castle Mystery in February, the team wondered whether we might be able to create an adventure which would feature their brand new gardens. Part of the Rising development which sees a new gateway into Raby with retail, cafe and visitor centre, the gardens were due to be unveiled in time for the Summer season!

What We Did

We decided to create an adventure which would encourage even the youngest of audience members and their families to take their time and look closely at the detail of the gardens. Adapting our Thumbelina trail to create a journey through pergola, walled garden, and twisting paths in our search for the lost fairy, Thumbelina! We were able to highlight features of the gardens and introduce them to audiences through gentle interactions with well-loved characters from the story, Swallow and Toad, as well as garden expert – Mary Mary Quite Contrary!

The Result

We had a wonderful late Summer’s day at Raby with sold-out performances in which we met lots of lovely new families and together experienced the atmosphere and charm of the beautifully created gardens with a sprinkle of fairy dust!