Family-friendly things to do at Wentworth Castle Gardens

Planning your family visit 

• The main car park is around 200m from the adventure play area and the Long Barn Café
• There are baby-changing facilities and toilets in the Café and in the Conservatory Building
• High chairs are available in the Café
• There is an incline throughout the garden on the way up to Stainborough Castle
• Most paths in the garden are suitable for buggies, with a combination of hard-standing and grassy paths. 
• Small scooters and balance bikes can be taken into the gardens, but please don't bring bikes with pedals. 
• The parkland is a great place to explore for slightly older children, with den building in the woods. The paths can be wet and boggy outside of the summer months, so wellies are recommended. 
• Make the most of our picnic area. Bring your own lunch or purchase a children's picnic from the Café.
• Find a great selection of children's books in the Reading Room, upstairs in the Long Barn. 

Summer of Play

23 July - 31 August 

A fun-filled summer is back at Wentworth Castle Gardens, suitable for all ages. 

Every day throughout the summer holidays, you can discover the five play hubs around the garden for active, creative, messy, natural and quiet play. 

On selected days, join us for special events run by local partners and volunteers. All pop-up play days are free unless otherwise stated. Come and find new ways to play!

• Football with Barnsley FC Community Trust - 24 July & 5 Aug
• Drop-in butterfly crafts – 25 July, 8 & 22 Aug
• Teddy zip line – 28 July, 4, 11 & 18 Aug
• Archery taster – 29 & 31 July, 12, 14, 26 & 28 Aug. £2 per person aged 8+. Limited places, book on arrival.
• Silent Disco at Stainborough Castle – 6 Aug
• Explore the parkland family adventure – 13 Aug
• Give Orienteering a Go - 19 Aug
• Storytelling shell with Barnsley Libraries – 20 Aug

Quiet hour early opening - Join us for a relaxed early opening. This is a sensory-friendly event for families and individuals who would benefit from a quieter environment to play

Summer Lates - Stay and play a little longer on every Thursday in August, when we are extending our opening hours till 7pm.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank and supported by Sport England. 

Discover our sensory trails

Explore Wentworth Castle Gardens in a new way with our sensory trails.

We've now added a parkland trail to our exisiting garden trail so you can wander further as your explore with all your senses. Designed for all ages and abilities, why not try it once and then come back in a different seasons for a totally different experience?

Download before you visit or pick up at Visitor Reception when you arrive.

Orienteering 

Exercise your body and your mind with one of our Orienteering trails, designed for families.

We've teamed up with South Yorkshire Orienteers to create four permanent orienteering courses in the garden and parkland. 

Whether you are new to orienteering or a bit more experienced, there's a stuiable trail for you. Dogs also welcome 

Maps cost £1 and are available from visitor reception. 

Get moving in the Play Area

The Play Area is a favourite destination for families throughout the year. Conquer the castle, zoom down the zip-line, or try out our accessible see-saw.  

Things to do in the rain

Once you’ve finished splashing in puddles, you might find some of these activities a good option when the rain comes: 

• Visit our ‘Time to Play’ segment in the Union Jack gardens, just above the Azaela Garden. Take part in a giant family board game while the tall hedges provide you with some shelter.
• During a shower, why not pop into the Conservatory to enjoy the sensory experience of encountering plants from around the world?
• Have you discovered the Reading Room yet? Above the Long Barn Café, the extension to the Second-hand bookshop is the perfect spot to get lost in a story while cuddled up in a comfy chair. Access is via stairs to the left of the counter, or please ask if you’d like to use the lift.