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Wentworth Castle Gardens
Glorious gardens, woodland and parkland, created for the privileged few and preserved for everyone to enjoy.
Wentworth Castle Gardens are the only Grade-I listed gardens in South Yorkshire. They were created in the 18th century by the Earls of Strafford as a symbol of wealth and status, and as part of an intense rivalry with their cousins at Wentworth Woodhouse.
Today, 220 years on, the place the Earl and his descendants shaped has become somewhere that helps tackle a core element of social justice: the right to education for all. First as a teaching college and later Northern College, for over 70 years this former stronghold of the elite has provided life changing opportunities for some of the most marginalised members of society in Barnsley and beyond.
Wentworth Castle Gardens is now run as a unique partnership between Northern College, National Trust and Barnsley Museums. We aim to put people at the heart of everything we do, inviting our communities to shape how Wentworth Castle Gardens will continue to develop over time.
We want the stories we tell – both historic and contemporary – to be relevant to everyone, and for Wentworth Castle Gardens to be a place where people can explore; from learning new skills and discovering hidden stories, to quiet contemplation whilst immersed in nature.
Our learning programme is inspiring pride and confidence in the next generations and we’re providing meaningful opportunities for people to be involved including family, wellbeing, arts, sports and horticultural inspired activities, work placements and volunteering.