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
- Published:
- 07 September 2026
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 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.
Stranger Folk Digital Adventure
From October 1st, gather your friends and family for an exciting digital adventure for imaginative folk aged 7+ to play together. This Autumn, British folklore sneaks into the real world, set against the backdrop of Wentworth Castle Gardens.
As the spirit and human worlds collide, sneaky goblins, cunning beggars and Stranger Folk are slipping through the crack to stir up trouble. Gather your team, harness the elements and seal the rift before the creatures take hold!
Download the free Stranger Folk app to start your folklore magic adventure. To activate the app, solve the clue on arrival to find out the 'Magic Password', or ask the team if you are not sure.
Stranger Folk Digital Adventure at Wentworth Castle Gardens | National Trust
Little Nature Detectives
They don’t have to be creepy or crawly - As we start to get cosy for Autumn come and discover which plants and insects make Wentworth Castle Gardens their home during the season.
Capture the season of falling leaves, muddy puddles, and warm jumpers by coming to explore the gardens and the insects that make it home. Grab your spotter sheet and explore the garden with a trail that is fun for all the family.
From 24th October - 22nd November
Free with admission, pick up your trail sheet on arrival at Visitor Reception
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.
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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.
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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.
