Heritage Open Days: Working histories at Wentworth
Enjoy free entry to Wentworth Castle Gardens during the final weekend of the Heritage Open Days Festival. Take a rare look inside St James, the former estate chapel, and uncover stories of the people whose work shaped life on the estate.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
Enjoy free entry to Wentworth Castle Gardens during the final weekend of the Heritage Open Days Festival. Take a rare look inside St James, the former estate chapel, and uncover stories of the people whose work shaped life on the estate.
Come and enjoy the gardens and parkland as autumn begins to unfold. Bring a picnic or pick something up from the café, stretch your legs and admire the views.
During the three-day event, you can step inside St James, one of the site’s Grade II listed buildings. Usually a learning space for Northern College students, this Gothic Revival chapel was built in 1841 for the Vernon-Wentworth family and is rarely open to the public. The chapel will be open from 10.30-3.30pm each day. Volunteer stewards will be on hand to share the history of this special building.
Inside the chapel, discover the stories of the people who helped keep the Wentworth Castle Estate running, from laundry maids and gardeners to other members of the estate workforce. Younger visitors can raid the dressing-up box and transform into estate workers from the past.
To reach St James, you will need to go via the second-hand bookshop above the café, where you can browse an extensive collection of pre-loved books and perhaps take home a new favourite read.
There are other events happening over the Heritage Open weekend - please see separate event listings.
Times
The basics
- Accessibility
There is access to St James via a lift. Please ask the café team to direct you.
Contact info
Business Services and Booking Enquiries
Upcoming events
Summer of Play at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Summer of Play is back! Join us for another adventure-filled summer, every day throughout the holidays. With a fairytale castle, secret gardens and plenty of space to explore, Wentworth Castle Gardens is the perfect setting for your Summer of Play.
Orienteering at Wentworth Castle Gardens
We've teamed up with South Yorkshire Orienteers so you can give orienteering a go any day of the year at Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Archery Experience with Iron Age Archery
As part of our Summer of Play, try your hand at archery on the play field. Who will be the first to hit the bullseye?
Social running group
Meet like-minded people, make new friends, and build up your fitness in the beautiful surroundings of Wentworth Castle Gardens.