Family days out at Wentworth Castle Gardens

With acres of gardens and parkland to explore, you can keep the whole family happy with a day out at Wentworth Castle Gardens. Bring a picnic, spot wildlife, or just play hide and seek. Make the most of this special outdoor place, on the doorstep of Barnsley and Sheffield.

Boy playing soft archery
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Join us for a summer of sport at the castle

Join us at Wentworth Castle Gardens for a summer of fun and enjoy the great outdoors, with free sporting activities on weekdays during August.

Plan your adventure
Children orienteering
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Family orienteering garden trail

Our family orienteering challenge gives you the chance to explore our special place in a whole new way this summer.

Plan your visit
Father and son sword fight at the castle folly
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Pretend you’re a knight in a ‘medieval’ castle

Thomas Wentworth (the man who created Wentworth Castle Gardens in the 1700s) built his own fake-medieval fortress, which he called Stainborough Castle. Complete with turrets and a gatehouse, it’s a perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon playing pretend.

Deer in the parkland at Wentworth Castle Gardens, with the Rotunda behind
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Spot wildlife in the park

The parkland at Wentworth stretches over 500 acres, and it’s full of wildlife you can spot. Look out for the herd of deer that roam freely in the park, and the hares that spring through the grass. Keep your eyes out for buzzards flying above your head, or look closely by the Keepers' Pond and Serpentine River for the rare great crested newt.

Children play in the garden at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Play hide and seek in the Union Jack Garden

This wild maze of plants looks just like the flag from above, but beware – it’s easy to lose yourself in there! Explore this giant cross-cross garden, the ideal spot for a game of hide and seek amongst the plants.

Boy exploring the trees at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Burn off some energy

Explore the adventure playground and spend hours having fun in the great outdoors. Or venture out into the gardens and parkland for some natural play. Will you find the perfect spot to build a den?

Family walking up to the Sun Monument
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

A monumental history lesson

You don’t need to be in a stuffy classroom to learn about the history of this amazing place. Did you know Wentworth Castle Gardens has some of the country’s oldest monuments dedicated to influential women? Discover more about the history of this fascinating place (including the family rivalry that inspired it) with a walk around the statues and buildings in the garden.

Discover the tale of two Wentworths
A family enjoy a picnic on the grass
Wentworth Castle Gardens  

Pack a picnic

Make the most of this beautiful place and enjoy your lunch in the great outdoors at one of Wentworth Castle Gardens’ perfect picnic spots. Stainborough Castle is a favourite place to stop and enjoy a bite to eat, or find a spot that looks out over the parkland to watch the deer roaming as you take a break. The café in the Long Barn is open too, serving hot and cold food, drinks, cakes and snacks.

Discover the best picnic spots