John Edwards, Chair of the Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust said : “It is with sadness we have decided that the gardens will have to close to the public from Spring 2017.
“In recent years we have not been able to make enough money to cover the running costs required to manage the site and keep the gardens open as a year round visitor attraction. As a result of this, we are working with the support of Barnsley council to manage the closure.
“We would like to give assurance that every effort will be made to honour all existing weddings and celebratory events for 2017 and we will contact all parties directly.
“We have taken this difficult decision towards a managed closure of the site in the expectation that a sustainable future can be found. We are working hard to ensure that this beautiful and historic Grade I listed landscape will be maintained and the gardens preserved for many generations to come.
“The trustees would like to say a huge thanks to all the staff, volunteers, friends and others who cherished and improved the gardens and parkland. Their efforts secured substantial funding to restore the gardens, Victorian Conservatory and many 18th century follies and monuments including the rotunda and the Sun Monument. They should all be very proud of the national recognition their achievements have created”