WHERE FOR ART THOU? The all-female cast of the Handlebards Romeo and Juliet, from left Charlotte Driessler, Sian Eleanor Green, Eleanor Chaganis and Lucy Green
WHERE FOR ART THOU? The all-female cast of the Handlebards Romeo and Juliet, from left Charlotte Driessler, Sian Eleanor Green, Eleanor Chaganis and Lucy Green

POPULAR touring theatre group The Handlebards are returning to Raby Castle this month with not one but two productions.

The group, who tour the country by bike performing Shakespeare, will perform an all-female version of Romeo and Juliet on Saturday, August 4, and an all-all-male performance of Twelfth Night on Friday, August 10.

Tickets are now on sale for the shows. Children under 16 go free. Picnics can be booked in advance.

The shows are among the August holiday highlights at Raby Castle.

A busy programme sees the return of the castle’s popular treasure trails and children’s interactive castle tours.

Raby’s friendly footman Mike will bring history to life as he shares stories of castle life across the centuries every Thursday and Saturday morning during his fun and educational family friendly tours.

In addition to the Handlebards, other special events have been lined-up, including forest school and an August bank holiday with McColls brewery,

Forest school events include bow and arrow making and adventures in the castle grounds on August 21 and a Gruffalo Walk with woodland activities on August 28.

During the August bank holiday Raby Castle and McColls Brewery will host a Garden Tap Weekend for all the family with forest school crafts, fairy trail, face painting, archery and birds of prey along with craft beer, gin bar, music and street food.

Exclusive evening openings in the walled gardens will be held on Friday, August 17, and Friday, August 31, with an optional guided tour and time to relax to take in the picturesque surroundings and castle backdrop with wine, Prosecco and craft beers being served.

Admission to the tearooms, gift shop and play area are free for the family throughout the summer and under 5s are admitted free to the castle, park and gardens. For details of ticketed events, visit www.rabycastle.com.