Land cleared for restoration of estate’s derelict glasshouse

Works to dismantle the conservatory will begin “within weeks”, as the £3.7m restoration of the site moves forward.

A spokesman for Wentworth Castle Gardens said yesterday: “Following extensive ground clearance works, the next step will be to re-route the visitor exit, together with securing an appropriate access point for vehicles and heavy machinery.

“As a result the gardens will be operating temporary revised opening days and times from Monday, January 16.

“Until the restoration is complete, new winter opening hours will be 11am to 3pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends. We are closed on Wednesdays, except for school holidays.”

Planning approval for the restoration of the glasshouse was granted by Barnsley Council in March last year.

The work will involve creating a new “interpretation gallery” in a former potting shed and building an education room.

There are also plans to use the glasshouse, which was built in 1877 for Frederick William Thomas Vernon-Wentworth, for weddings.