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 areas. Bring your own lunch or buy 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

Summer of Play is back from Saturday 18 July to Tuesday 1 September and it’s bigger, brighter and more imaginative than ever! Join us every day throughout the summer holidays for an adventure‑filled season of play set against a backdrop of a magical castle, secret gardens and wide‑open spaces.

We have lots of activities designed to spark imagination, encourage creativity and inspire adventure. Explore different play zones across the gardens and enjoy a changing programme of pop‑up activities, from family favourites like the teddy zip line and archery to football fun with Barnsley FC Community Trust and a Silent Disco at Stainborough Castle.

What you’ll discover: 

• Active play - an array of active games on the play field
• Nature play - a wilderness space where children can climb, balance and explore natural features
• Storytelling play - set in Stainborough Castle, perfect for imagining tales of knights, quests and daring adventures
• Messy play - hands‑on creative fun in the Union Jack Gardens
• Quiet and sensory play - take a break from the noise and the sun with sensory play and quiet games

Where will your imagination take you? Find out more and plan your summer now! Summer of Play activities

Orienteering 

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

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

Whether you are new to orienteering or a bit more experienced, there's a trail for everyone. Pooch pals on a short fixed lead are welcome to join in too.

Orienteering maps are £1 which you can buy from the visitor reception. 

Get moving in the play area

The adventure play area is a favourite destination for families throughout the year. Conquer the castle, scale the ropes or try out our accessible see-saw.  

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.

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.