Wentworth Castle Garden's, Barnsley's Grade 1-listed attraction could re-open after lease deal with National Trust

Embargoed to 0001 Friday September 21

Undated handout photo issued by National Trust Images of the Victorian Flower Garden in Yorkshire. According to the National Trust the future of one of England's greatest 18th century landscapes looks secure following a new partnership. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday September 21, 2018. Wentworth Castle Gardens, the only Grade I listed park and garden in South Yorkshire, has been closed to visitors since April 2017 and now the National Trust has announced it is working with The Northern College, which occupies the 18th century Wentworth Castle building on the estate, and Barnsley Council with a view to a reopening in summer 2019. See PA story HERITAGE Gardens. Photo credit should read: Andrew Butler/National Trust Images/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may r — Embargoed to 0001 Friday September 21 Undated handout photo issued by National Trust Images of the Victorian Flower Garden in Yorkshire. According to the National Trust the future of one of England's greatest 18th century landscapes looks secure following a new partnership. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday September 21, 2018. Wentworth Castle Gardens, the only Grade I listed park and garden in South Yorkshire, has been closed to visitors since April 2017 and now the National Trust has announced it is working with The Northern College, which occupies the 18th century Wentworth Castle building on the estate, and Barnsley Council with a view to a reopening in summer 2019. See PA story HERITAGE Gardens. Photo credit should read: Andrew Butler/National Trust Images/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may r

Wentworth Castle Gardens in Barnsley closed last year but following discussions with Barnsley Council and Northern College, and subject to a legal agreement, the National Trust plans to enter into a 25-year lease that will see it manage the historic site.

The deal, which will secure the future of the former home of Thomas Wentworth who started creating his vision from the early 1700s, will involve the local community with a programme of events, activities, volunteering and employment.

Joanna Royle, assistant director for the National Trust in the north, says “Wentworth Castle Gardens is such an important and beautiful place, and a vital green space for local communities. We’re looking forward to building on the work of Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust, whilst sharing the rich heritage and stories of the gardens and its creators. But above all, we want to ensure everyone visiting next year will be made very welcome and once again be able to enjoy this as a place to explore, walk, relax, play and spend time together outdoors.”

The estate opened to the public in May 2007 after the Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust took over but last year closed due to lack of funds.