retiredmartin

April 2025. Wentworth Castle. Barnsley.

Let’s take a break from pubs for a day, and enjoy the sunshine at one of Yorkshire’s many unsung National Trust properties.

Hard to describe where Wentworth Castle Gardens are, particularly with another Wentworth east of the M1, and “south of Dodworth” will leave you none the wiser, I guess.

Actually, Dod’oof has a particularly smart GBG micro, Mrs RM drove BRAPA there once, and there’s an equally smart gastro place at the entrance.

We swerved the Strafford Arms, despite the lure of cream tea and Landlord.

I reckon I’ve more chance of ticking the National Trust handbook than the GBG. I could score the maps,

the scones, and the quality of the Barrow Books.

Has Colin Dexter been cancelled ?

We spent an hour and a half here; it’s a brooding, hilly site,

the highlight the fernery, the lowlight an over-enthusiastic collection of unnecessary placards.

Lady Lucy’s Walk takes you through the early rhododendrums,

to what’s left of Stainborough Castle,

and then to that marvellous view from Archer’s Gate, a view towards, um, somewhere.

And they’ll you England is built up and overcrowded.