Discover the rich history of Wentworth Woodhouse
Find out more about the Georgian house nestled in 87 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, which is hosting this year’s RHS Show
History of the estate
Treason, feuds and rivalry
Rather than going through the male line of succession, the estate went to Thomas Watson, his nephew, not his cousin Thomas Wentworth, who was furious not to receive what he believed to be his birth-right. Driven by anger at this injustice, Wentworth went about earning his own fortune and Earldom. He purchased Stainborough Hall Estate, just 6 miles away from Wentworth Woodhouse, which he eventually turned into Wentworth Castle. He expanded the building and gardens with features including a ‘Union Jack’ formal garden and a mock mediaeval Castle for his children to play in. Wentworth’s son (also Thomas) was a keen botanist and elevated the grounds further, employing Landscaper Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
His son, Charles Watson-Wentworth, served two terms as Prime Minister and in his time as owner of Wentworth Woodhouse, expanded the house further with an extensive stable block.
Coal and King at Wentworth
While not a supporter of unions, the Fitzwilliams were seen as largely benevolent mine owners and provided some support for the families of striking miners. The strike lasted 37 days and resulted in the passing of minimum wage legislation. In July 1912 King George V and Queen Mary decided to visit Yorkshire to see for themselves the living conditions of the mining communities. During their visit they made Wentworth Woodhouse their base, visiting mines and the homes of working families.
The end of an era
Billy Fitzwilliam died in 1943, shortly before the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947 and the 8th Earl, Peter Fitzwilliam was left to ensure the future of the estate. Although they received compensation from the government, it could not make up for the huge financial loss of the mines, and following the Second World War the country desperately needed coal.
The plan was to requisition the grounds of Wentworth Woodhouse and create an open-cast mine, ripping up the gardens right up to the house. Peter tried negotiating with the government and even offered the estate to the National Trust to prevent the potentially ruinous excavation, but all attempts failed and the 300-year-old beech avenue, ninety-nine acres of immaculate lawns, shrubbery and herbaceous borders were lost to the diggers.
The Whistle Jacket room
The Camelia House
The main staircase
In 1948 Peter Fitzwilliam died in a plane crash with his lover Kathleen ‘Kick Kennedy’, sister of the future President John F Kennedy. A scandal that was at the time, largely covered-up. Shortly before his death, along with his aunt, Lady Mabel, Peter offered the house to be used as a college of physical education to train female teachers. From 1978-88 Sheffield Hallam University rented the space in the building and when they left the house, moved to private hands until its sale in 2017 to the Wentworth Preservation Trust.
Under the Trust restoration visitors can enjoy the house and beautiful grounds which include ancient forests, vast lawns, monuments and a Camellia House, featuring some of the rarest and oldest camellias in the country.