Wentworth Castle Gardens
OS grid reference:-
Wentworth Castle is situated at Stainborough, near the South Yorkshire town of Barnsley.
The castle is the former seat of the Earls of Strafford and was home to the Vernon-Wentworth family until 1949, the beautiful 500 acre estate has been in the care of the Wentworth Castle Heritage Trust since 2002.
The estate includes around 60 acres of formal gardens, which reflect gardening fashions and developments from the eighteenth to twentieth century. The highlight of the gardens is the newly restored Victorian conservatory.
Additionally, there are 500 acres of parkland, including a deer park and woodland trails, with atmospheric views and majestic follies, including the the Gothic folly of Stainborough Castle and the Ionic Rotunda, there is also an obelisk to Queen Anne and another to Lady Mary Wortley-Montagu to commemorate her introduction of smallpox inoculation to England.
The garden contains an important collection of hardy hybrid rhododendrons Near the house is the Union Jack garden, which commemorates the Act of Union of 1707, an azalea garden and a rock garden. Elsewhere are a stumpery, a formal Victorian garden, and the longest dahlia border in England.
There is also a cafe, gift shop and an adventure playground.
Directions
Wentworth Castle Gardens lies between the villages of Stainborough and Hood Green, near Barnsley, about 2 miles from Junction 37 of the M1.
From the M1 - exit the motorway at Junction 37 towards Barnsley and following the brown signs to Wentworth Castle.
From Penistone / Huddersfield / ManchesterFollow the A628 through Silkstone and Dodworth until you reach Junction 37 of the M1, then follow the instructions above.