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Glorious gardens, woodland and parkland, created for the privileged few and preserved for everyone to enjoy
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Park Drive, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3EN
Asset | Opening time |
---|---|
Gardens | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Parkland | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Café | 10:00 - 16:00 |
Car Park | 10:00 - 17:15 |
Last entry on 6, 13, 20, 27 June - 5.45pm
Ticket type | Gift aid | Standard |
---|---|---|
Adult | £6.60 | £6.00 |
Child | £3.30 | £3.00 |
Family | £16.50 | £15.00 |
Family 1 Adult | £9.90 | £9.00 |
Ticket type | Gift aid | Standard |
---|---|---|
Adult | £5.50 | £5.00 |
Child | £2.80 | £2.50 |
Family | £13.80 | £12.50 |
Family 1 Adult | £7.50 |
The second-hand bookshop is spread over two floors in the Long Barn building, which also houses the café.
Guided tours of the mansion house - which is now Northern College - are available monthly.
Guided tour - more informationThe Long Barn Café serves hot and cold drinks, light snacks and refreshments.
Refreshment kiosk in the Play Area open on busy days. Check with the Welcome team for daily opening times.
For all visitors, the car park is free of charge.
Toilets in the Long Barn Café and the Conservatory building.
Dogs very welcome, but please keep them on a short lead at all times. They're also welcome in the café, though only assistance dogs are allowed in the Play Area and Conservatory.
See below for resources and information to support a more accessible visit to Wentworth Castle gardens. We also have a buggy shuttle service, which runs every day between 11am and 3pm. Sensory backpacks, containing ear defenders and sensory toys, are available to borrow from Visitor Reception. We can book a BSL interpreter for a guided walk or tour. If you'd like to discuss any arrangements we can make to meet your access needs, please email us on wentworthcastlegardens@nationaltrust.co.uk or call 01226323070 and we'll do our best to help.
The map shows a recommended route around the gardens. There is a hard-standing path from the visitor car park up to the Conservatory. Other parts of the garden are a mixture of firm and grassy paths, often sloped. There are no hard-standing paths in the parkland.
Accessible route and/or map - more informationThere's level access to the Long Barn Café from the terrace.
Accessible toilets are located in the Long Barn Café and the Conservatory building.
There is a lift to the first floor of the Long Barn building and the Reading Room. Please ask the Café team for support in operating the lift.
A braille guide to the property is available. Please ask at Visitor Reception or the Information Shed.
We have two powered mobility scooters available for hire, free of charge. Advance booking is recommended - please email wentworthcastlegardens@nationaltrust.org.uk. Pick up from the Reception Building on your arrival. The team will carry out a short assessment to ensure the scooter is suitable for your needs.
Blue badge spaces are in the upper left corner of the visitor car park, near to Visitor Reception. If you do not have a blue badge but would benefit from using one of these designated spaces, please speak to the Welcome team.
There is ramped access to the Visitor Information Shed, located opposite the Play Area.
We can arrange for you to drop off members of your party near the Visitor Reception. Please speak to the Welcome team.
There is seating throughout the gardens and parkland.
Induction loops are available at most till points. We also have a portable induction loop available for house tours or guided walks. Please email us in advance on wentworthcastlegardens@nationaltrust.org.uk to book this.
There are steps down to the Conservatory terrace and up to the Azalea garden, but you will also find alternative step-free routes. Please be aware of uneven terrain around the estate. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes when you visit.
A large print guide to the property is available. Please ask at Visitor Reception or the Information Shed.
We have two manual wheelchairs available to hire in the Long Barn Café. However, the steep and uneven paths can make it a challenge to access the whole of the gardens via wheelchair.
Exit M1 at junction 37 towards Barnsley.
Parking: Car parking is available. Turn into Park Drive at the cross roads in Stainborough village, follow road.
Sat Nav: Use postcode S75 3EN.
The Wild Yorkshire Way and Trans Pennine Trail pass nearby. From Stainborough village, it is approximately 0.4 miles (0.6km) along the visitor driveway, which slopes up the hill to the gardens with glimpses through to the Palladian Bridge and the Serpentine within the parkland. Follow the signs for the pedestrian route to the visitor reception building. Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
Dodworth railway station is 1.5 miles (2.4km) from Wentworth Castle Gardens, while Barnsley Interchange railway station is around 3 miles (4.8km) away. Check the National Rail website for up to date timetable information. Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
Services from Barnsley Interchange to Penistone, Stocksbridge and Denby Dale run along Lowe Lane. The 23a, 24, 24a, 34 and 410 services will stop on Gilroyd Lane near the Strafford Arms pub on request. This is the bus stop at the bottom of the hill in Stainborough village. From here, it is approximately 0.4 miles (0.6km) along the visitor driveway, which slopes up the hill to the gardens. Follow the signs for the pedestrian route to the visitor reception building.
NOTE: There is no access to the site from the Northern College bus stop.
Plan your car-free visit at Good JourneyNational Route 62, the Trans-Pennine trail is around 1/4 mile from Wentworth Castle's Stainborough gateway, between Silkstone and Worsborough. From Stainborough village, it is approximately 0.4 miles (0.6km) along the visitor driveway, which slopes up the hill to the visitor car park and reception building with glimpses through to the Palladian Bridge and the Serpentine within the parkland. Cycle parking is on the right hand side of the car park, near the Visitor Reception Building. Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
We hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. Travel a greener way and enjoy 25% off entry or a free hot drink for members. Plan your journey by train, bus, buke or foot at Good Journey
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Park Drive, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3EN
Discover the must-sees when visiting Wentworth Castle Gardens and exploring its centuries of history.
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.
Wentworth Castle Gardens is a two pawprint rated place. Take a look at our top tips for bringing your dog to Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Find out what's coming up soon in the gardens and parkland.
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.
Find out how to book a group visit to Wentworth Castle Gardens, as well as the facilities available, educational visits, and services for students with additional learning needs.
South Yorkshire’s only Grade I-registered landscape, encompassing a formal garden, historically important monuments and a folly.
Restored in 2013, this Victorian conservatory was once at the height of cutting-edge design. Now it’s home to plants from all over the world.
Completed by Thomas Wentworth in 1731, this gothic folly is a great spot to enjoy a picnic beneath medieval-style turrets.
Explore 500 acres of rolling parkland and discover landmarks like the Rotunda and Serpentine Bridge as well as ancient woodland where you can spot carpets of bluebells in May.
Conquer the castle, have a zoom on our zip-line and get your muscles moving on our kids’ adventure playground.
Stop in for a warming hot drink and bite to eat in our café or have a browse through our second-hand bookshop.
Take a peek inside the grand house at the centre of the estate on a select number of volunteer-led tours through Wentworth Castle, now Northern College.
Discover the must-sees when visiting Wentworth Castle Gardens and exploring its centuries of history.
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.
Join theatre group the HandleBards for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors like you've never seen it before. Set in the grounds of beautiful Stainborough Castle.
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.
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.
Original features, a dramatic location with vast Peak District views and a roll top bath perfect for relaxing after a walk.
A former lodge on the Longshaw Estate, Yarncliff Lodge is now a comfortable holiday cottage and perfect base for exploring the countryside.
Hidden away in a secluded spot with incredible views of the Peak District, this cosy stone cottage is the perfect base for an outdoor adventure.
Gather your group and disconnect from modern life when you stay in this rural bolt hole deep in the Edale Valley.
Meet like-minded people and build up your fitness in the beautiful surroundings of Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Delve into the fascinating stories behind our most noteworthy plants on this gardener-led tour of Wentworth Castle Garden's botanical treasures.
Uncover some of the colourful histories of Wentworth Castle Gardens by joining a friendly volunteer-led walk.
Take a peek inside the grand house at the centre of the estate on a select number of volunteer-led tours through Wentworth Castle, now Northern College.
Join in with the UK's biggest annual celebration of archaeology and discover more about the secrets that lie beneath your feet, with events for all ages at Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Summer is a great time to prune spring flowering shrubs. Join one of our gardeners for a walk round the collection at Wentworth and pick up some tips for your own garden.
With a fairy-tale castle, secret gardens and winding wilderness paths, Wentworth Castle Gardens is the perfect setting for your Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank. Join us every day throughout the school holidays.
Join the Rangers for a monthly ramble in the extensive parkland and woodlands of Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Working in partnership with Barnsley Council and Northern College, this estate, rooted in rivalry, will now provide a space to bring people together. Royal diplomat Thomas Wentworth was outraged when a cousin inherited his family home, Wentworth Woodhouse, in 1695. Known for his ferocious ambition, Wentworth was determined to outdo his rival, creating this spectacular place once known as ‘the finest garden in England’.
Wentworth’s wealth was deeply entwined with empire and the slave trade. He was one of the principal negotiators of the Treaty of Utrecht, which secured Britain as supplier of enslaved Africans to Spanish colonies in the New World.
Despite its turbulent past, this breath-taking landscape now provides space for relaxation, reflection and opportunities for people to enjoy nature and beauty. Today it is South Yorkshire’s only Grade I registered landscape. There are surprises along every avenue, including a castle that is not what it seems.
Note: house closed to visitors as it houses Northern College, which offers residential adult education courses.
Find stories of wealth and politics, misery and hope in Wentworth Castle Gardens' history, including its important monuments and connections to slavery.
Discover the story of the woman commemorated by Wentworth Castle Gardens’ obelisk, which is among the oldest monuments in the UK dedicated to a woman based on personal achievements.
Discover how the property went from a power symbol built on the proceeds of slavery to an educational centre offering life-changing education to thousands of people.
Find out about Wentworth Castle Garden's unique partnership work with Barnsley Council, Northern College, and local community groups.
Discover how we work to look after this historic site and how community projects are introducing new opportunities to audiences of all ages.
Explore how local communities are actively helping to shape the restoration and future of the Union Jack Garden, bringing contemporary identities to this historic space.
Help Wentworth Castle Gardens come to life. Explore current volunteering opportunities on site.
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.