Wentworth Castle Gardens closes in funding crisis

Around 500,000 people have visited Wentworth Castle Gardens at Stainborough over the past 14 years

A tourist attraction which re-opened in 2014 after a £3.74m renovation has closed.

The trust which runs which runs the Grade I-listed Wentworth Castle Gardens near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, said it could no longer afford to stay open.

The 18th Century gardens were renovated and the dilapidated Victorian conservatory re-opened in 2013.

Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust said it was working with Barnsley Council on the closure.

More than £20m has been spent on the gardens in the past few years, with 20 historic buildings and monuments restored.

Although the park and gardens attract tens of thousands of visitors a year, the trust said: "In recent years we have not been able to make enough money to cover the running costs [for] a year-round visitor attraction."

The Victorian conservatory featured on BBC2's Restoration programme and was restored at a cost of £4m in 2013

It is now hoped the grounds will be maintained and a sustainable future can be found.

John Edwards, chair of the trust, said: "It is with sadness we have decided that the gardens will have to close to the public.

"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.

"They should all be very proud of the national recognition their achievements have created."

The trust has said "every effort" will be made to "honour all existing weddings and celebratory events for 2017"

History

The house, Stainborough Hall, was renamed after Thomas Wentworth built a mock castle high on the estate in 1731

Each generation of the Wentworths added their own style to the house and gardens, introducing trees and exotic shrubs to the 40 acres of formal gardens

Captain Bruce Vernon-Wentworth sold the house to the Barnsley Corporation in 1949, and it was established as a teacher training college

The ornate 19th Century conservatory was restored in 2013

The Northern College of Adult Residential Education is now based at the site. It will not be affected, said the trust

Wentworth Castle Gardens closed after Easter 2017