The latest from Wentworth Castle Gardens

In September 2018 we announced that we're working in partnership with Barnsley Council and The Northern College to secure the future of Wentworth Castle Gardens. Subject to a legal agreement, we plan to reopen this special place in summer 2019.

One of the country's greatest 18th century landscapes, Wentworth Castle Gardens is the only grade 1 listed park and garden in South Yorkshire. The gardens have been closed to the public since 2017, but thanks to this new partnership we're getting ready to welcome visitors back to the gardens once again.

With 63 acres of formal gardens and 500 acres of wider parkland, there will be plenty for visitors to see and do once the gardens reopen. The 18th century 'Union Jack' garden, restored Victorian conservatory and 'ancient' hill-top folly Stainborough Castle are all must-sees. There's lots of wildlife to discover too, with a resident deer herd in the parkland as well as buzzards, herons, and great crested newts.

A tale of two Wentworths

Created in the 1740s, Wentworth Castle Gardens were built in the middle of a bitter family rivalry. Sir Thomas Wentworth had hoped to inherit his prestigeous family home, the nearby Wentworth Woodhouse estate, but it was passed down to his cousin instead. Dismayed at being sidelined by his family, Thomas built Wentworth Castle Gardens as a very public display of his own wealth and status – right on his cousin's doorstep.

Although they were created out of this Wentworth family feud, the reopened gardens will be a space for everyone to enjoy. The local community are at the heart of our plans for the site, with a programme of events, activities, volunteering and employment.

The house at Wentworth Castle Gardens

The gardens are built around the Wentworth Castle mansion house, home of The Northern College for the last forty years. Founded by the visionary Michael Barrett Brown, the college is a charity dedicated to the education and training of adults without formal qualifications. This unique college will continue to operate from the house under our new partnership, so the house and its collection will not be open to the public once the gardens reopen in 2019.

Become a volunteer

We're now recruiting for volunteers to join our team, as we prepare to reopen this special place. Find out more about these roles by visiting nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteer and search Barnsley, or click on the link below.