Wentworth Castle Gardens has always been one of our favourite local spots for a day out, ever since the kids were little. Our first visit was when Max was two and Evie was just a couple of months old. Unfortunately, it closed a few years later due to funding issues but was eventually taken over by the National Trust.
Located in the village of Stainborough, Barnsley, Wentworth Castle Gardens is just about 30 minutes from us, north of Sheffield. It’s fantastic having such a beautiful place nearby, especially since the next closest National Trust site, Clumber Park, is about an hour’s drive away.
Wentworth Castle Gardens reopened just last year, and we’ve already visited twice – once during the summer and again over February half term. So the photos in this post are a mix of summer and winter. It’s lovely to see how the gardens change with the seasons.
One thing we’ve always noticed is how quiet it is. Compared to other nearby National Trust properties like Hardwick Hall, Clumber Park, or Nostell Priory, it’s much less crowded. It definitely deserves more recognition – it’s a brilliant day out that not enough people know about.
There’s so much to see and do at Wentworth Castle Gardens – the house, the gardens, vast woodland, and Stainborough Castle. I didn’t know much about the estate’s history, but after doing a bit of research, I found out it was created due to a feud within the Wentworth family. The nearby Wentworth Woodhouse estate was inherited by Thomas Watson, which angered his cousin Thomas Wentworth. In response, Wentworth bought, extended, and renamed what we now know as Wentworth Castle.
The house itself isn’t open to the public most of the time because it’s home to the Northern College. However, the surrounding gardens, woodlands, and parkland are beautiful – and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some deer!
My personal favourite part of the gardens is the Victorian Conservatory. It’s stunning. Built by the Wentworths to house exotic and unusual plants, it was also one of the first places in the UK to have electric lighting – supposedly even before Buckingham Palace!
Another highlight is Stainborough Castle, which the kids absolutely love exploring. Although it looks medieval, it was actually built in 1731. The design was intentionally made to look older, as part of the family feud narrative, to give the impression that the Wentworths had been established there for centuries.
Wentworth Castle Gardens also features a fantastic children’s playground – my two could stay there for hours! They especially love the zip wire. There’s also a café and a gift shop on-site.
Overall, we think Wentworth Castle Gardens is an amazing destination for a family day out and highly recommend it to anyone nearby. Whether you want the kids to burn off some energy, take a relaxing walk through the woods, or explore some history, there’s something here for everyone. You’re sure to have a wonderful time.