How to Spend a Day at Wentworth Castle Gardens

Would you like to spend a few hours strolling through some beautiful formal gardens, learning about history and also seeing the ruins of a fake castle? If so, then make sure you visit Wentworth Castle Gardens.

About Wentworth Castle Gardens

Located near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, Wentworth Castle Gardens is the only Grade I listed park and gardens in South Yorkshire. Once the home of the Earls of Strafford, open only to the privileged, it’s now home to the Northern College providing people with new educational opportunities and perspectives.

Between 2001 and 2019, Wentworth Heritage Trust managed the estate. However, due to a funding crisis it closed its doors in 2017. As an effort to reopen the gardens to the public, the National Trust formed a partnership with Northern College and Barnsley Council in September 2018. In June 2019 Wentworth Castle Gardens and parkland was once again opened to visitors.

Behind Wentworth Castle Gardens is the story of the Wentworth family’s heated rivalry. The Wentworth’s were a very important family in Yorkshire and Thomas Wentworth was expected to inherit Wentworth Woodhouse. However, in 1695 his cousin inherited the family fortune instead of him.

Seeking revenge, Thomas, using his skills as a soldier and diplomat, bought an estate only a few miles away from Wentworth Woodhouse. He extended it and renamed it Stainborough at first then renamed it again to Wentworth in 1731. He even built a fake ruin called Stainborough Castle which was constructed as a garden folly. In 1711 he even gained the old family title back and became the 1st Earl of Strafford. 

Unfortunately, Thomas Wentworth’s wealth is linked to the slave trade. Thomas was actually one of the principal negotiators of the Treaty of Utrecht. Even though his political career ended when the government changed he still filled his garden with symbols that reflected his political opinion. 

How to get to Wentworth Castle Gardens?

By Car

Wentworth Castle Garden is located approximately 3.5 miles south-west of Barnsley and about 13 miles north of Sheffield. If you arrive by car, use S75 3EN in your SatNav and also follow the signs leading you to the garden. Wentworth Castle Garden is just off the M1 and car parking is available off Lowe Lane.  It is free for National Trust members and also included in your ticket price.

If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Wentworth Castle Gardens.

By Public Transport

If you decide to use public transport there is a bus stop along Gilroyd Lane close to the Strafford Arms pub. Bus services 23a, 24, 24a and 410 operate regular services to destinations such as Barnsley, Ingbirchworth, Penistone, Stockbridge and Denby Dale. Please note that there is no access to the gardens from the Northern College bus stop along Lowe Lane.

If you arrive by train, then Dodworth railway station is located about 1.5 miles from the gardens providing services between Sheffield and Huddersfield. From there you can catch Bus 22. You can also arrive to Barnsley Interchange railway station providing services to Nottingham, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Leeds. Again, catch Bus 22 to the gardens from the station.

Make sure to plan your journey with Trainline which also provides information on bus fares.

Top Tip – If you’re planning on travelling across the UK by train a lot, then check out some Railcard options which allow you to save some pennies on your train fares.

By bike: If you decide to hop on your bike there are plenty of national and local cycle routes running in the vicinity of the garden.  The Trans-Pennine trail for example is approximately a 1/4 mile from the Gardens. However, bicycles are not permitted in the gardens or parkland.

Cost to enter Wentworth Castle Gardens

Entry fee to Wentworth Castle Gardens is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Further information on tickets can be found on the website.

If you’re a member of the National Trust you can visit this stunning garden free of charge. You can read about the different kinds of membership by clicking here.

Facilities at Wentworth Castle Gardens

Cafés and Picnic Spots – If you’d like to grab a drink or something to eat then head to Long Barn Café which offers a good variety of hot and cold drinks, lunches and of course delicious cakes. (It is still open for takeaways.) The café actually achieved the Soil Association’s Bronze ‘Food For Life’ Award which supports sustainable catering.

If you visit the garden on a nice day I recommend bringing your own picnic with you. You can bring your own picnic blanket and find a great spot to eat anywhere on the grass within the gardens. There’s also a designated picnic area adjacent to Long Barn which you can still use. Please note that BBQs are not permitted anywhere!

Gift Shop – Long Barn Cafe has a small selection of souvenirs.

Toilets – There are toilet facilities available behind the Conservatory. 

What to do and see at Wentworth Castle Gardens?

Wentworth Castle Gardens is considered one of England’s best 18th century gardens. The garden design at that time was full of symbolism and also aimed to show off the owners wealth. The estate actually owns 26 listed buildings and monuments! 

Below is the list of features you can see when exploring the estate:

1. Wentworth Castle (Northern College)

Please note that the house is closed to visitors as it houses Northern College.

Wentworth Castle’s original name was Stainborough Hall until 1708 when Thomas Wentworth purchased it and extended it. In the early 20th century the family moved out and Barnsley Council bought the property in 1948. 

Until 1978, when the Northern College was set up, it operated as a teacher training college. Today the college still offers education for adults hence it’s not open to the public. However, I think the exterior of the building still provides you with some cool photo opportunities. 

2. The Corinthian Temple

Overlooking the south lawn of Wentworth Castle is the Corinthian Temple. This is one of the many Grade II listed buildings in the garden. The small prostyle temple with 4 Corinthian columns was built in 1766 for the Second Earl of Strafford. It was used for spectating and relaxation during games of croquet.

3. The Conservatory

Just behind Wentworth Castle is the Conservatory. Built in 1885, it has many exotic and unusual plants which visitors can see. The plant collection was obviously designed to impress visitors and to show off the Wentworth family’s wealth. 

Even though it was closed at the time of our visit, we could still get a sneak peek through the big glass windows!

4. Union Jack Garden

The Union Jack Garden was created in 1713, when geometric design was very popular. To celebrate the Union of Scotland and England, the garden combines the crosses of St George and St Andrew. 

5. Victorian Flower Garden

Right next to the Union Jack Garden is the beautiful Victorian Flower Garden. Luckily you can walk up to a little view point on both ends of the garden and get a birds-eye view of this area. I highly recommend doing that!

6. Archer’s Hill Gate

If you carry on walking from the Victorian Flower Garden, you’ll soon come across a three arch opening, called Archer’s Hill Gate. It was built in 1744 by William Wentworth the 2nd Earl of Strafford. The arches frame a painting-like view so make sure to stop here for a moment. The gate is also the point where the old public road left the Wentworth Estate. 

7. Sun Monument

Just after Archer’s Hill Gate, you’ll see a tall monument called the Sun Monument. It’s actually one of the oldest in England, and was dedicated to a non-royal woman, called Lady Mary Wortley-Montagu. In the 1720s she developed a vaccination against smallpox, therefore the Sun Monument is a tribute to her. 

8. Stainborough Castle

Did you know that there’s actually ‘another’ castle on the estate? Well, it’s actually a fake castle or garden folly which Thomas Wentworth built after he purchased the estate. He wanted visitors to think that the estate had been in his family for generations. 

Stainborough was the name Thomas gave the original house on the estate when he purchased it. When he changed the name to Wentworth Castle, the name Stainborough was given to his garden folly.

He built Stainborough Castle on the highest point of the estate and planted avenues of trees leading up to it. The castle itself was built as a circular curtain wall with 4 square guard towers and a large gatehouse. 

9. The Fernery

After exploring Stainborough Castle, make sure to stroll along the winding path of the Fernery, located next to the Castle.

10. Lady Lucy’s Walk

After exploring the Fernery, make sure to walk along the avenue of lime trees called Lady Lucy’s Walk. Lady Lucy was one of the daughters of the owner during the early 18th century and apparently she haunts the gardens. The trees were replanted before the First World War. 

11. Deer Parkland

Once you’ve explored the beautiful Formal Gardens, I highly recommend taking a walk around the 500 acres of deer parkland. Along the 1.5 mile circular trail you’ll see grazing deer and many historic monuments along your way too. 

You start your walk by strolling down the tree-lined Great South Avenue. At the bottom of the avenue, before you carry on along the trail, head to the right into Broom Royd Wood and check out the Duke of Argy ll’s Monument. Circle back the way you came and carry on to your right through the fenced area. There will be warning signs about deer so just be cautious especially during  October, which is the rutting season, and in June when the parkland is filled with baby deer. 

If you follow the path you’ll soon reach another feature called the Rotunda. From there you can either carry on along the trail or take a quick detour into Ivas Wood to see Queen Anne’s Monument. From there you just follow the trail along The Serpentine and will reach the Palladian Bridge. After the bridge you just carry on back towards Wentworth Castle (Northern College).

Additional Gardens to Visit in the Area

So, if you’d like to visit other beautiful gardens and estates that are less than 1.5 hours’ drive away from Wentworth Castle Gardens then make sure to check out some of my other blog posts:

Lyme Park – The 1,400 acre estate has everything you need for a perfect day out: a glorious house filled with history, a magical garden packed with colourful flowers and unique features, a sanctuary packed with deer, many walking trails and stunning views of the surrounding area. Click here to read it.

Dunham Massey – Explore a historical country house, stroll through a beautiful garden and watch deer casually roaming around you at Dunham Massey. You can read about 6 things to do when visiting the estate by clicking here.

Chatsworth House and Gardens – Explore Britain’s favourite country house and thousands of acres of surrounding parkland. Click here to read it.

Tatton Park – Owned by the National Trust, Tatton Park is a beautiful historical estate situated to the north of Knutsford. Since the estate has a mansion, a medieval manor house, 50 acres of gardens, an animal farm and 1000 acres of deer park you can easily spend a full day there. You can read about 8 things you must do when visiting Tatton Park by clicking here.

Quarry Bank Mill – Learn about the history of one of the best preserved textile factories of the Industrial Revolution. Walk around the beautiful garden, explore Styal Country Park and spot planes at Manchester Airport. You can read about 7 things to do to get the most out of your visit by clicking here.

Final Thoughts on Wentworth Castle Gardens

Wentworth Castle Gardens definitely gives you a taste of the extreme wealth the owners had. I definitely enjoyed walking around the garden and seeing all the different areas and learning about the significance behind the monuments and features.

Have you ever been to Wentworth Castle Gardens before? How much of the garden did you explore? What was your favourite section? Let me know in the comments below.