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Aspects of Architecture - Heritage Open Days Festival

Explore Wentworth Castle Gardens remarkable architectural features with free entry for all during the festival and different events to discover each day there is something for everyone!

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event

Explore Wentworth Castle Gardens remarkable architectural features with behind the scenes tours, expert volunteers sharing their knowledge, a photography walk to capture the best bits and a family spotter activity, there is something for everyone!

Admission is free for everyone during the three days of the festival.

On Friday 19th September you can join a parkland monuments tour to learn about the way in which Thomas and William Wentworth shaped their wider estate and look inside the Rotunda.

Also on Friday 19th September will be our brand new four phases of Wentworth tour to learn more about the different historical phases of the mansion house, now managed by Northern College.

On Saturday 20th September join a volunteer-led tour of the Orangery and Walled garden, and peak behind the scenes at areas not usually open to the public. Tours run at 11am & 1pm and must be booked in advance - please see separate event listing.

On Sunday 21st September join our photography walk to explore some of the estate’s remarkable architectural features and discover new ways of capturing them.

Throughout the festival visiting families can try our free Building Wentworth spotter activity highlighting shapes in the historic architecture and the magical Stainborough castle is the perfect spot for a picnic.

Please visit the individual event listings for more details on each of our tours.

Times

The basics

Suitability

Family activities will be available throughout the festival.

Accessibility

There are steep gradients throughout the gardens. To help you access the gardens, we run a buggy shuttle service. Please ask at visitor reception on your arrival. There are also personal mobility scooters to hire for use in the gardens and a parkland tramper vehicle. Book in advance by emailing wentworthcastlegardens@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Contact info

Business Services and Booking Enquiries

Upcoming events

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.

Event summary

on
22 Aug to 25 Oct 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 64 other dates or times

Kaleidoscope of butterflies 

Visit our new summer art installation created by local artists Jo Veal, Patrick Amber and our community. Inspired by The HERDS project, a groundbreaking public art and climate initiative, and our grassland habitat restoration work.

Event summary

on
22 Aug to 31 Aug 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 9 other dates or times

Summer of Play at Wentworth Castle Gardens 

With a fairy-tale castle, secret gardens and winding wilderness paths, Wentworth Castle Gardens is the perfect setting for your Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank and supported by Sport England. Join us every day throughout the holidays.

Event summary

on
23 Aug to 31 Aug 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 8 other dates or times

Big Bookshop Sale 

Visit the Blackbourn room to explore our Big Bookshop Sale and discover a range of pre-loved books.

Event summary

on
23 Aug to 25 Aug 2025
at
11:00 to 16:00
+ 2 other dates or times