Discover more at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Find out when Wentworth Castle Garden is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Family-friendly things to do at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Wentworth Castle Gardens is the perfect place for a family adventure. Explore the gardens - from the turrets of Stainborough Castle to the hiding places in the Union Jack Gardens. Try out our Multisensory or Orienteering Trails, and don't forget to call into the adventure play area before you leave.
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.
Wildlings hunt family trail
25 Oct - 23 November
The wildlings leave signs behind them - like strange fungi or twisted branches - and only those who know the secrets of the woods can spot their trail...
Journey into the heart of ancient folklore with our wildlings children's trail.
Pick up your free trail sheet from Visitor Reception on arrival.
Read more here.
Create & Craft for Christmas
29 & 30 November, between 10.30am & 1.30pm
As the festive season arrives, drop in to make a winter decoration with our Create & Craft volunteers. They will be based in the second-hand bookshop, upstairs in the Long Barn Café.
Free, normal admission applies
More information here.
Enchanted Tree Trail
29 November - 8 February, anytime between 10am & 4pm
Peek into the secret, enchanted world of the garden's winter wildlife on this popular winter trail.
Pick up your free trail sheet on arrival.
Woolly Jumper Walk
29 November - 8 February, anytime between 10am & 4pm
Pull on your wellies, wrap up warmly and head out into the parkland for a winter walk.
Follow the 'woolly jumper' walkers through the parkland. Look out for the mini knitted jumpers in the trees on South Avenue!
Download the map here or pick one up when you arrive on site.
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, 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.
You might also be interested in
Explore the wider estate at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Designed on a grand scale to rival any country-house estate in the country, the 500 acres of parkland at Wentworth Castle Gardens are well worth exploring during your visit.
Eating and shopping at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Choose from a delicious range of seasonal and locally sourced bites in the Long Barn Café. Don't miss our second-hand bookshop and new Reading Room.
Visiting Wentworth Castle Gardens with your dog
Wentworth Castle Gardens is a two pawprint rated place. Take a look at our top tips for bringing your dog to Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Parkland explorer walk (pink route)
Put on your walking boots and discover historic monuments, woodland and a herd of deer in Stainborough park. With 500 acres of parkland, you can have your own corner to yourself. Please note: you can complete this walk in either direction, following the waymarkers, but these directions relate to the clockwise loop.
