And so it is in Teesdale, where in June, Raby Castle opened a new café that holds at least 200 diners with room for scores and scores more on the south-facing grassy slopes outside. And so it was on a chill September Saturday, when there was a never-ending flood of people flowing through the new Vinery café, filling most tables while the blue sky and sun beguiled many dozens into braving the exterior. The Vinery, Raby Castle It is a huge step-up from the castle’s previous café which had tens of seats crammed into an old stableblock where all I can remember is steamed-up windows and cold, open doors as people came and went.
This is now a destination in its own right. But it is also a little confusing for the Vinery virgin. There were two queues, one for cold food, cakes and coffees, and the other for hot food, cakes and coffees and probably some cold food, too.
Welcome to the Vinery at Raby Castle There was a lady telling us where to go, but people were still standing around trying to figure it all out. Some were trying to read the small blackboards which explained each dish, and a few were getting annoyed when someone more confident dived in front in contravention of the British art of polite queuing. Some people were also standing around mesmerised by the piles of salad.
With the spotlights bringing out their vivid reds, yellows and greens, the salads looked spectacularly exciting. The salad bar at The Vinery We came to understand that you choose a main element to yo.