Wentworth Woodhouse: Two country houses for the price of one

In Brief.

Wentworth Woodhouse is an imposing 18th century country pile near Rotherham, that can boast the longest facade of any country house in England. Though the interior contains little of the original furniture, which was sold off to pay death duties, there are nonetheless striking and varied spaces that benefit from being brought to life in a tour. The property also features an extensive and well maintained garden, with meandering paths, and views of the West Front and surrounding countryside.

The impressive East Front.

What's Here?

Curiously, the property features two houses back-to-back, both built in the early 18th Century, with the slightly earlier Baroque property being considered to give an unsuitable architectural fashion statement in contrast with its Palladian successor.  Both the East Front and the West Front are pictured.

The West Front is almost as grand as the East Front.

Several themed tours are available; I took the Wentworth Tour, with an enthusiastic and well informed guide, who provided interesting insights into the architecture and history of the building. For example, the symmetry of the East Front is carried over inside to rooms with symmetrical (sometimes fake) doors, and flooring with symmetrical patterns.

The West Front overlooks the gardens. Though there is a herbaceous garden and a rose garden, for the most part the gardens are informal, with winding paths passing trees and shrubs. The gardens also include an Ionic Temple and a glasshouse that is now a restaurant.

The Ionic Temple in the garden.

When you have seen what you want to see at Wentworth Woodhouse, there is an adjacent garden centre that includes several eateries and a well maintained and diverse garden that was once part of the Wentworth Woodhouse estate.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 39 miles

Drive Time: 1hour 15 minutes

Price: $$

Parking: There is free parking

Food and Drink: There are several cafes, one fairly standard country-house style cafe with substantial cakes and some savouries, along with more up market options in the form of afternoon teas in the long gallery and The Camellia House restaurant in the grounds.

Retail therapy: There is a small gift shop.

Child Friendly: There is a child focused area in the grounds known as The Garden of Bewilderment.

Toilets: Yes

Do it justice in: 3 hours

Inside-Outside: 60:40

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