Wentworth Woodhouse
One of England's most spectacular facades and a great survival story of the English country house.
Wentworth, South Yorkshire, S62 7TQ
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Access statement available
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
For full details of the access arrangements at Wentworth Woodhouse, visit their website.
Wentworth Woodhouse is without doubt, one of the finest and grandest Georgian houses in England and at 606 ft, is famously considered to have the longest facade.
Wentworth was built principally for Thomas Wentworth, later Marquess of Rockingham and comprises the unusual combination of two back-to-back houses, which began with the West Front from 1724-28, followed by the East Front from 1731-50. Its list of architects includes, Ralph Tunnicliffe, Henry Flitcroft and John Carr; the West Front is built of brick in the English Baroque style, whilst the East, is in sandstone and is a classical, Palladian masterpiece.
The Rockingham’s were one of the greatest Whig dynasties of the 18th Century and Wentworth Woodhouse, was a centre of great political influence. Charles, the 2nd Marquess was Prime Minister in 1765-66 and again in 1782. On his death the estate passed to the Earls Fitzwilliam, who remained in ownership until the late 20th Century.
Following the death of the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam in a flying accident in 1948, a greater part of the house was vacated and in 1950, it was let to the West Riding County Council, who made use of it until 1986, first as a teacher training college and then as part of Sheffield City Polytechnic. The house and its 87 acres of grounds, were sold to a private purchaser in 1988, again in 1999 to the Newbold family and then in April 2017, to the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Access statement available
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
For full details of the access arrangements at Wentworth Woodhouse, visit their website.
Stories about Wentworth Woodhouse
How Wentworth Woodhouse survived the pandemic
Wentworth Woodhouse has survived much during its 250-year history, but its future looked bleak when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK. 2020 was set to be a turning point in the resurrection of the Rotherham country house once owned by...
The History of Wentworth Woodhouse
On the outskirts of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, lies the little village of Wentworth. With a population of less than 1,500, you may be forgiven for thinking that this is merely a quiet farming or retirement village. Wentworth, however, is home...
The Follies of Wentworth Woodhouse
In the second of our guest blogs by Joshua Daniels, we hear about the range of beautiful follies you can see when visiting Wentworth Woodhouse.
Past articles about Wentworth Woodhouse
Prepare to moon-bathe at the WE Wonder Noir festival!
Expect the unexpected at WE Wonder Noir 2022, Wentworth Woodhouse’s after-dark festival of fun, culture and arts. This year’s event, running from 6.00-9.00pm March 11 to 16, with a special closing night on March 18, is more wonder-inducing than ever.
Visit the snowdrop flurries at Wentworth Woodhouse
Known as the first flower of the year, the valiant little snowdrop is about to make a big impact at Rotherham’s hidden gem Wentworth Woodhouse once again. Throughout February, snowdrop flurries form dainty carpets of white at every end and...
Past articles about Wentworth Woodhouse
Black Diamonds author creates a gem of a tour for Wentworth Woodhouse
Catherine Bailey’s best-selling book Black Diamonds brought the plight of Wentworth Woodhouse and its fascinating story to worldwide attention. Now the author has again put pen to paper to help revive the Grade I listed Rotherham mansion’s fortunes.
Scarves to loyalty cards…. Ellie’s pretty prints strike the right note-let with Wentworth Woodhouse
A young Barnsley designer is making her mark at Rotherham stately home Wentworth Woodhouse. Ellie Fisher’s intricate prints, which feature scenes from the house and grounds, are about to feature on everything from elegant scarves to tea towels and notelets for...
Wentworth Woodhouse gets a helping hand from clock repairer Andrew
Time is no longer standing still at Rotherham’s 18th century stately home Wentworth Woodhouse. Crucial repairs have been made to the neglected Grade I listed mansion since the Preservation Trust took over in 2017.
WE Wonder Festival returns to Wentworth Woodhouse
The wait is almost over… The Wonder is coming back to Wentworth Woodhouse this summer. The WE Wonder Festival, a spectacular outdoor event which was a soaraway success in August 2019, is set to return to the Rotherham mansion’s glorious...
Arty creations work perfectly for Wentworth Woodhouse
ArtWorks South Yorkshire’s members are making a real impact at Wentworth Woodhouse. Their creative talents are now on display in several locations - the latest being one of the new wooden cabins which will soon be for hire in the...
Asian artists repackage ‘The Suitcase’ for Wentworth Woodhouse exhibition
The private chapel at Rotherham stately home Wentworth Woodhouse is welcoming back a thought-provoking exhibition by a Pakistani women’s art collective - which ended abruptly in the pandemic last year.
Chance to fly with the Wentworth Woodhouse Flock again…
Thousands of people ‘flew with The Flock’, Wentworth Woodhouse’s moving outdoor art installation to mark the Covid pandemic. Now there’s a chance to own a part of it.
Plans for Wentworth Woodhouse’s Camellia House
Memories and images of the derelict Camellia House in the grounds of Wentworth Woodhouse are being sought by specialists now steering plans for its restoration. Redeveloping the Grade II* listed Camellia House into a daytime cafe and evening events venue...
Turning Back the Hands of Time at Wentworth Woodhouse
Earlier this month, specialist conservators started the next phase of work at Wentworth Woodhouse - essential repairs to the North Pavilion. The North Pavilion sits at the end of the Palladian East Front and greets visitors as they arrive.
Wentworth Woodhouse stars in Netflix drama
Long-abandoned servants’ quarters at Wentworth Woodhouse are about to be streamed into the living rooms of crime drama fans in over 190 countries. The Grade I listed stately home in Rotherham being regenerated by a Preservation Trust was used as...
Wentworth Woodhouse receives essential grant!
Thanks to a £331,200 grant, its Preservation Trust can forge ahead with plans to replace its old and inadequate gas central heating with a house-wide system powered by a ground-source heat pump.
Wentworth Woodhouse stables open for tours
The huge complex boasted stables for 84 hunting, riding, and carriage horses. There was a riding school, a saddlery and an inner courtyard with a huge fountain supplying water for the horses.
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