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Renovating a National Trust garden

24 October 2024

Niall, group leader of Barnsley u3a's Gardening group, talks about how they became involved in designing and maintaining a section of Wentworth Castle Gardens.

Five people wearing high vis yellow jackets standing in a garden, with a tree behind them, on a grey day

We are lucky in Barnsley to have Wentworth Castle Gardens at Stainborough. This National Trust property features some wonderful gardens and parkland. The house and estate were laid out in the early 1700s by Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, a diplomat with close links to the major events of his time, including the Act of Union in 1707.

The Act of Union is commemorated in a dramatic feature of the gardens to the south of the house, an arrangement of enclosed triangular spaces in the form of the Union Flag. This garden was first planted in 1713 when geometric gardens were very popular and Thomas clearly shows his fashionable tastes as well as his political allegiance in celebrating the Act of Union in this way. Laid out as a ‘formal wilderness’ garden, with high hedges and rich planting, the garden provided an interesting and secluded place for visitors to walk, chat and find inspiration in nature.

Over the last few years, the National Trust have been renovating this space and have asked local groups to design and create gardens in the segments and work alongside the National Trust in maintaining the space. The Gardeners Group of Barnsley u3a have been allocated a triangle 22m*28m*35m with views of the house and beyond over the valley toward Barnsley. The hedges, mixed evergreens, are now lower than the original design and create a more open aspect.

A garden with a grass path with flower beds to the left and right leading to a tree in the centre

In our design, two wide grass paths take the visitor from either entrance to a central mulberry tree with a third path off to a pergola seating area where visitors can relax, chat or just entertain their own thoughts. The planting is in the three large triangles formed by the hedging and paths. We have chosen what we hope is a bright and cheerful planting colour scheme of blues, yellows and whites, reflecting the u3a colours. We have several yellow roses, yellow roses traditionally symbolise joy and happiness, two things we hope are part of Barnsley & District u3a.
That the garden is welcoming and accessible is very important so we have mainly soft informal planting, wide paths and good seating.

A garden, with flower beds to the left and right. A gardening tool is in the centre of the photograph.

The National Trust developed an authentic 18th Century plant list to work from also the support of a professional gardener throughout which was invaluable.

On September 25, the National Trust held an open day to celebrate the renovated gardens. No garden is ever finished but a milestone has been reached as we move from creation to maintenance of the space. Barnsley and District u3a hope the garden will be enjoyed by members and friends for many years to come.

Barnsley u3a's involvement in this project resulted in an article in The Barnsley Chronicle.

Further information on Wentworth Castle can be found on the National Trust website.



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