Cash award to save stables at stately home

The grant will enable the stables to be protected from further decay

A cash grant has been awarded to a stately home in South Yorkshire to prevent further decay of derelict stables.

Historic England has awarded Wentworth Woodhouse £528,474 for the project to save the Grade II listed Mews Court buildings.

Once complete the stables area and courtyard will become the first thing visitors to the estate will see as they are sited next to the new car park.

The buildings will eventually house a shop, ticket office and toilets.

Mews Court was built in the late 18th Century as an addition to the Grade I listed Stable Block.

It has a courtyard surrounded by buildings which were originally designed as accommodation for equestrian staff.

The estate once kept horses on a grand scale, with room for 84 horses.

Sarah McLeod, chief executive officer of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, said the repairs should be completed by the autumn.

"We are extremely grateful to Historic England for its continuing support of our restoration projects.

“This latest grant enables us to carry out the urgent external repairs needed to save Mews Court.

"The buildings are in a perilous state."

The stables will become the first of the estate buildings to be seen by visitors

Historic England's Giles Proctor said, “Bringing the Mews Court back to life is a key part of the restoration of Wentworth Woodhouse, enhancing both its historic character and significance, as well as improving its facilities as a visitor attraction.”

The latest grant is one of several awarded to the restoration of the 18th Century mansion, near Rotherham, by Historic England.

Previous grants include cash for repairs to the estate's Camelia House and to the Stables project.

The original stables are being transformed into a kitchen, cafe and events space as part of a £5.1m project, funded by Levelling Up money awarded to Rotherham and Historic England.