History, nature, arts and crafts, outdoor trails and sport games…
Rotherham stately home Wentworth Woodhouse has lined up a host of activities to stretch young minds – and legs – for families over half-term.
Ensuring young visitors feel welcome and free to explore is top of the agenda at the Georgian mansion now owned by a Preservation Trust, and until June 6 there’s no charge for children to ease family half-term activity budgets.
The vast house re-opened on May 19. Guided tours are running in the mornings, but in the afternoons visitors of all ages can pre-book a time to wander through some of the grand rooms at their own pace.
An engaging leaflet has been created for children to keep them on the alert for unusual features and facts.
House admission tickets also give hours of access to the informal and beautiful private gardens (https://wentworthwoodhouse.digitickets.co.uk). With lawns, wildflower meadows and shady woodland areas to roam, the gardens have been a haven for families through most of the pandemic.
They are now playing host to two Wentworth-themed craft workshops running 11-3pm from May 22.
Visitors of all ages can hand-make paper camellias for the beautiful Grade I listed Camellia House, soon to be restored and transformed into a cafe.
The Stables at Wentworth House are soon be redeveloped too and families are asked to celebrate the fact by making horses out of card. Staff will be on hand to help and each craft work will feature a place for makers to write their own ideas on what they would like to see and do at Wentworth Woodhouse.
It’s part of a community engagement project running throughout the summer to ensure the public can have a say in the future the Trust is creating for the site, and will culminate in community artworks.
In addition, children can follow a trail of clues to find birds created for Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s autumn 2020 outdoor art installation The Flock, walk barefoot the Forest of Bewilderment, play in the Forest Kitchen From May 29 and borrow a host of sports equipment on the lawns – from tennis racquets and nets to cricket bats and French boules.
There are outdoor catering vans stocked up with food and drink, outdoor toilets and hand-washing stations. A children’s menu in the tea rooms includes a pizza-inspired sandwich with crunchy salad, macaroni cheese and mini Wentworth sausage rolls.
The WWPT team follows a thorough COVID-19 safety protocol, disinfecting equipment and facilities throughout the day and visitors are asked to pay attention to safety signage and one-way systems during their stay.
