What is the current situation with Wentworth Castle Gardens?
The Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust has decided to wind down and close the gardens. The site is therefore currently closed to the public.
Can people still walk in the grounds?
The gardens are closed to the public; however parts of the parkland are public rights of way and can still be accessed by walkers.
What will happen to the gardens now that the site is closed to the public?
Volunteers will assist three professional gardeners who will remain until October 2017 to ensure that this year’s maintenance is in hand, principally to keep the place looking nice for the summer weddings that will be delivered. If no permanent solution has been found by October then volunteers may still be able to continue, but this would be negotiated later in the year.
How does this affect Northern College?
The historic Wentworth Castle house and home farm is owned by Northern College and the college is involved in exploring future options as a key partner, but is not affected by the wind down of the Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust and closure of the gardens.
When will the site reopen to the public?
It’s difficult to give an indication of timescales at this stage as the site is complex and significant in size so the process of identifying a suitable way forward is likely to take some time; further updates will be provided as and when available.
Is the council going to step in and take over the running of the site?
At present, a number of options are being explored with a view to securing a sustainable future for the gardens. It’s too early to go into great detail about these, but the Trust, Barnsley Council and Northern College are working closely together to find a positive outcome for the site.
Will any Lottery or other third party funding be clawed back?
We expect that this would be a last resort, only if a suitable solution cannot be found. If the site remains in the public domain then the likelihood would be that the Heritage Lottery Fund contract would transfer to whoever takes it on and no repayment would be necessary.
What can people do to help/ fundraise/ support the site?
We appreciate that many people have expressed a wish to support the gardens. If you’d like to find out more about volunteering or making a financial donation please contact Andrew Dunlop, Wentworth Castle Volunteer Association (see below).
What is Wentworth Castle Volunteers Association?
This association was recently set up to help care for the gardens while there will only be a skeleton staff on site, and while plans are being developed for the future. The Association will keep the gardeners and other volunteers supported and connected, and maintain the enthusiasm to raise funds to support their work. If you would like to help as a volunteer or offer other support they can be contacted by email wcva2017@gmail.com or found on Facebook by searching ‘Wentworth Castle Volunteers Association’