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Garden Name: Wentworth Castle Gardens
Last Modified: 26/01/2011
Garden ID: 0445

pic: 0445_WentworthCastle.jpg

Owner: Chris Margrave, Head Gardener
Address:
Lowe Lane
Stainborough
Barnsley
Postcode: S75 3ET
County: Yorkshire

tel: 01226 776040
fax: 
website: www.wentworthcastle.org
email: heritagetrust {at} wentworthcastle.org

Features: 
Cast-iron glasshouse that featured in the BBC TV series "Restoration".. New last year was the John Arnold Garden with spectacular Dahlia border, maze and wildflower meadow. Many interesting discoveries and re-creations of the garden's original features.
New for 2010: Children's Adventure Playground.

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
Gardens open: Apr - Sept 10am - 5pm, last admission 4.30pm
Oct - Mar; 10am - 4pm, last admission 3.30pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring.

To see: 
Magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

National Collection: 
Species rhododendrons, Species magnolias and Williamsii hybrid camellias.

National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: Guided tours on limited number of days (please enquire) £2 extra pp

Admission Prices:
Adults £4.75; Accompanied Children over 5 years £2.75; Overs 60's and Concession £3.75; Family (2A + 2C) £12.50
Parking included.
Group visits prices for 15+ discounts available, please enquire.
Access to the parkland is free, there is a £3 charge for parking, which is waived if there is a minimum spend of £10 in either the shop or the cafˇ.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Disabled access using the gardens own Batricar, please book in advance. Dogs allowed in parkland


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
Wentworth Castle Gardens are the only Grade I registered gardens in South Yorkshire and contain a wealth of 18th century garden monuments within a historic design. Garden features on the 40 acre site include an azalea garden, a "secret" Victorian flower garden, a woodland wilderness with rhododendrons, magnolias and Asiatic plants, and Stainborough Castle, a stunning Gothic folly. The National Collections of species rhododendrons, species magnolias and williamsii hybrid camellias, along with many other woodland plants, are at their best in springtime. 

The Gardens are located within the Stainborough Park conservation area and are part of the South Yorkshire Forest. The extensive parkland is home to both fallow and red deer and there are different routes to walk.


History: 
Under the Premiership of Robert Walpole there was a great movement in England to show wealth and power by designing and building great houses and gardens. Walpole himself was a great advocate of this extravagant display of wealth and commented on the good work being undertaken by Thomas Watson-Wentworth and the development of the Wentworth-Woodhouse estate. Not to be outdone, in 1727 Thomas Wentworth set about building the mock castle. The site where the castle is located is of significant historical importance since it lies on the site of an Iron Age hill fort that was converted by the Norman Lords into a motte-and bailey castle. It had been owned since the 13th century by the Everingham family and then by the Cutlers and was known as Stainborough Hall.

The castle was completed in 1734 and from this day on, the Hall became known as Wentworth Castle. The exact motive behind why Thomas decided to build a castle is unclear. One theory is that it was a playhouse for his children. There can be no doubt however that family rivalry was a key motive, having the address of 'Wentworth Castle' sounded just as grand then as it does today.

Wentworth Castle was sold when the family could no longer take care of its upkeep and became a teacher training college from 1948-1978. In 1978 the house became the base for Northern College for Residential Adult Education.

Local Inns: 
Strines Inn, Bradfield

Accomodation: 


Restaurants: 


Village/Town/Sightseeing: