Historic South Yorkshire tourist attraction to undergo multi-million pound restoration

Restoration work is about to begin at Wentworth Woodhouse’s derelict Georgian stables, which were the biggest and costliest in England when they were built for their “fabulously wealthy” owner.

The work is being funded with £4.6m of the Government’s £20m Levelling Up investment in Rotherham, which was secured by Rotherham Council to help improve the town’s leisure economy and skills.

Historic England is providing £500k of partnership funding, bringing the total invested in this project at Wentworth Woodhouse to £5.1m. The huge, Palladian-style complex, now Grade I Listed, was created for the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham by architect John Carr of York.

It took 16 years to build and when completed in 1782, housed 84 hunting, riding and carriage horses and more than 30 stable boys, grooms and gardeners. It featured a riding school, a carriage house, a saddlery and an inner courtyard with a huge fountain.

But by the time Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust took over in 2017, along with the Palladian mansion The Stables were in a “sorry state”. After spending six years on urgent repairs to the mansion, and most recently renovating a derelict Camellia House, the Trust is beginning the first stage of its ambitious plan to regenerate The Stables.

The south-west corner of The Stables will in future become the main arrival point for Wentworth Woodhouse visitors, and as a result of this project, will house a production kitchen, with a new café and events space to follow.

The 197 sq m kitchen will enable more catering outlets to be developed at what is fast becoming one of South Yorkshire’s most popular tourist destinations, and will be able to provide training for hospitality and catering skills, helping to address local skills shortages in the sector.

Sarah McLeod, CEO of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, said: “This first stage of developing The Stables, part of a much wider regeneration programme we have planned for this enormous site, is only possible thanks to Rotherham Council’s determined and successful bid for Levelling Up investment, and the support of Historic England.

“It will help us to draw more visitors, which will further boost this region’s tourist economy and help us to employ more people. The kitchen will be a very valuable asset for delivering one of the Trust’s key aims - developing the skills of local people.”

Heritage construction specialist William Birch & Sons Ltd and heritage architects Donald Insall Associates, who recently restored the Grade II listed Camellia House, have been appointed to The Stables kitchen and café project. The complex consists of a carriage house, a riding school, Ostlers House and mews cottages, multiple stables and courtyards.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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