Explore the gardens at Wentworth Castle

Looking towards the Sun Monument in the low winter sun | © Steve Bradley

There are sixty acres of gardens to explore, created over four centuries. Don’t miss the carefully designed views across the beautiful surrounding parkland.

Trace the garden trends and planting passions of different eras as you explore Wentworth Castle Gardens.

The spirit of people who have previously walked, played and planted along these paths is ever present. Today’s generation of gardeners, volunteers and community groups continue to care for and be inspired by this legacy as they work to help the gardens evolve and thrive. Enjoy sharing their vision and, as you wander, don’t be afraid to ask!

One of the community designed spaces within the Union Jack Gardens | © Nick Singleton

Don't miss: The Union Jack Garden

Ecplore the new all-weather paths of this 18th century formal garden. The evergreen hedges were planted in the pattern of a Union Jack. Peek through the gaps and you will find new garden spaces designed and planted by local community groups.

United by a mulberry tree at the centre of each segment, each group’s individual segments have been planted to demonstrate what’s important to them, whether a love of nature, a celebration of wildlife, a living document of their journey to these shores or just to share a passion for growing.

Watch how the different segments mature over the coming years and enjoy planting that will extend the palette of colour and season of interest well into late summer.

Explore throughout the seasons

Winter

Evergreens, both trees and hedges, dominate the garden affording warmth and shelter to wildlife and visitors alike. Early winter is a great time to admire how trees and hedges have been shaped by weather, age and the handiwork of generations of gardeners. Catch the scent of mahonia in the Fernery and flashes of colour provided by eager specimens from the three national collections of Camellia Williamsii, Magnolia species and Rhododendron species as we edge towards early spring.

Lady Lucy's walk in spring — Daffodils and hellebores along Lady Lucy's walk | © Nick Singleton

Springtime

Snowdrops, the traditional harbingers of spring, are to be found in sweet spots from February but for a mass display look out for the rapidly multiplying number of Hellebores found along the length of Shrubbery Walk and other areas. Magnificent early flowering species of Magnolia, Rhododendrons and Camellia Williamsii gradually light up the gardens.

Magnolia at Wentworth Castle Gardens | © Nick Singleton

The glory of late spring

This is the most heady, vibrant time in the gardens as colour and scent assail all-comers in a sensory overload. Camellia williamsii, hybrid and species rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas are simply at their best, not forgetting the shimmering avenue of limes that lead visitors up to some of the most stunning plants in the collection. Follow the ‘Showstoppers’ trail to learn more. Unfurling ferns in the fernery, bluebell walks in the woodlands and Birds of Paradise in the Conservatory all conspire to thrill.

The Union Jack segment designed by Barnsley Feels Like Home | © NT images/James Beck

Summer in the Union Jack Gardens

As foxgloves thrive in the natural and wild spaces in the garden, thoughts turn to picnics spread out on verdant green slopes. Catch a glimpse of the unusual bracts of the Davidia involucrata or 'handkerchief' tree and sink your nose into the gentle fragrance of roses and specimen magnolias in the Victorian Flower Garden. Within this garden, look out for the first summer perennials in the new planting scheme, designed to extend the flowering season and to be more resilient in the face of climate change.

Hydrangea paniculata near the Conservatory | © Sally ann Burley

Late summer

Summer's second flush is muted but regal. Explore the recently planted Union Jack feature where local community groups have sought to extend the season by adding late flowering summer perennials to the segments they have re-interpreted. Sit and rest a while to observe planting that is kind to wildlife. On major pathways, stately Hydrangea paniculata complements its more modest lace and mop head cousins. Take a walk along Shrubbery walk as it lights up with Hydrangea arborescens and the oak leaved hydrangea.

Cyclamen along cedar walk at Wentworth Castle Gardens | © Annapurna Mellor

Autumn

Catch ‘naked ladies’ in the John Arnold Garden in front of the mansion (now Northern College). Listen to the swish of ripening grasses amongst the Japanese Anemones that thrive here. Glimpse the first patch of many sweet autumn flowering cyclamen as you cross the Ha- Ha bridge. Find time to pause and explore with your eyes designed views and vistas, both within the intimacy of the garden and across the parkland landscape of open spaces, formal avenues and woodlands.

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Layers of garden design not to be missed

After years of neglect, work began to slowly restore the gardens in the 1980s. Many eras of garden design have been uncovered, revealing different approaches and fashions over three hundred years, Rather than trying to return to one fixed point in time, today's gardens reflect all the chapters in the garden’s history.

John Arnold Garden

Named after the first head gardener to work here, this garden was created in the 1990s on the site of an old carpark. Swathes of plants create changing patterns in the borders.

Take a moment to soak in the atmosphere before embarking on the rest of your journey through the garden.

Corinthian Temple

From this vantage point you can identify the different approaches of a father and son, Thomas and William Wentworth. These first owners of the estate could afford to reflect the landscaping trends of their lifetime.

Look through Thomas’ eyes down the hill and catch a hint of the straight avenues that would have marched up from the bridge, in the grand 17th century French-inspired style. Swivel your gaze to the right and capture William’s view, leading out from the more delicate and balanced south wing of the house. You will find a less formal landscape with a classical temple placed amidst livestock, the preferred design of every 18th century gentleman of taste.

Conservatory

The jewel in the crown. As you admire what was an innovative structure in the late Victorian era, discover the plants of five continents which thrive in this protected environment. There is always something in flower, whatever the season.

The conservatory is a fine example of nineteenth century cutting edge technology. It benefited from advances in glass and wrought iron in its construction. Each component part was fabricated off site before being delivered and constructed in situ. You can still walk on the ornate grilles through which heat was introduced into the building.

Evidence suggests that this was one of the first ‘winter gardens’ in the country to benefit from electric lighting.

Visitors admiring flowering magnolia at Wentworth Castle Gardens | © Nick Singleton

Victorian Flower Garden

This enclosed garden, once a gentleman’s bowling green, provides a restful sunspot after a steep climb. It has been remodelled many times.

The latest makeover is creating accessible pathways with labour-saving metal border edging. Perennials are being planted to create an all-season display, rather than bedding plants that are dependent on heated growing. This action, taken in response to climate change, might provide useful ideas for visitors dealing with similar issues in their own gardens.

NOTE: The Victorian Flower Garden is currently closed whilst work takes place.

Stainborough Castle

First built in the early 18th century, it was designed to be seen and to see from. The views across the garden and the wider landscape from the surviving tower is ample reward for making the climb up the spiral staircase.

Why not have a picnic in the middle of the castle, just like the family did 300 years ago? Now partly ruined, the castle has been a favourite play place for generations of children and still is today.

National Collections

National Collection status has been awarded to three plant collections within the gardens. Camellia williamsii, magnolia species and rhododendron species. Read more here

The season to admire all three collections starts in late February and continues to the end of June/early July, subject to weather conditions. Hybrid rhododendrons and magnolias and a startling display of azalea rhododendrons complement the National Collections, providing a changing blockbuster of colour and scent throughout the long flowering season.