National Trust to run Wentworth Castle Gardens

The National Trust aims to have the site open by summer 2019

A tourist attraction that closed in a funding crisis is to be re-launched and run by the National Trust.

Grade I-listed Wentworth Castle Gardens near Barnsley re-opened in 2014 after a £3.74m renovation, but closed in 2017.

Now the trust has plans for a 25-year lease on the site working with Barnsley Council and the Northern College.

A spokeswoman for the National Trust said it wanted to safeguard the "rich heritage" of the gardens.

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

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

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The park and gardens had attracted large numbers of visitors each year. But Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage 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 BBC Two's Restoration programme

Visitors will once again be able to enjoy the Corinthian Temple

Wentworth Castle Gardens closed after Easter 2017