Second Monday of the Month, 1.00-3.00pm

We are collaborating with Home Instead to bring a Memory Café to Wentworth Woodhouse!

The Memory Café is suitable for those living with dementia or memory loss and their carers. In the historic surroundings of The Low Drawing Room, the Memory Café will explore local history and culture, through crafting, hands-on activities and conversation, alongside hot drinks and cake.

Adult: £12.50
Carer: £12.50

Please note, these are pilot sessions and we will look to review pricing and content once the pilots are complete. There are ten sponsored spaces available through our partners Home Instead. If you would like to be considered for a free space, please email: communities@wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk (priority will be givens to Home Instead clients).

Programme

Tickets will be released on a month-by-month basis for the following sessions:

Monday 12th August | Find out more about the Lady Mabel Physical Education College and its links to Wentworth Woodhouse, plus have a go at armchair sports.

Monday 9th September | Learn about the history of tea whilst taking part in a guided tea tasting.

Additional Information

• The Memory Café is suitable for those living well with dementia or memory loss, and their carers.  Those with dementia should attend with a friend, carer or loved one.

Accessibility

• The ground floor here at Wentworth Woodhouse is fully accessible, which includes the location of this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Sunday 27th October, 9.30am-4.00pm

To celebrate the world-class art that George Stubbs created here in Rotherham, we invite you to join us for a day of drawing with a professional tutor and a real horse!

The day will be led by professional artist Richard Johnson. In the making of his work, Stubbs studied his subjects at close quarters and in great detail. Drawing from life in this way enabled him to capture not just a horse’s physicality but also its character. This full-day class is devised so that, with Richard’s guidance, you can attempt the same.

Price: £70.00 (Includes refreshments)

The class is ideal for amateur and professional artists working at an intermediate level or above.

Accessibility

Due to the age and nature of the House, there is no disabled access to the upper floors which includes the venue for part of this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Thursday 10th October, 7.00-8.00pm

Historic Houses Director General, Ben Cowell, joins us to talk about his latest book, The British Country House Revival (Boydell, 2024). The book traces the history of the Historic Houses Association from its foundation in 1973, and the significant revival in fortunes that historic house properties have experienced in the half-century since the V&A’s landmark exhibition in 1974, ‘The Destruction of the Country House’.  

Saturday 12th October, 7.30-9.30pm

Back by popular demand, Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society return this October for an evening of star gazing in the Gardens.

Have you ever wanted to look into the cosmos and learn about the stars and planets you can see? If so, this is your chance to test out a telescope and see into the universe with experts on-hand to help!

Adult: £20.00
Child: £15.00
Accompanying Carer: Free

Further Information:

In the case of extreme weather conditions, there may be cause to cancel the event and re-schedule for the best possible experience - all attendees will be informed as soon as possible.

Accessibility

The Gardens here at Wentworth Woodhouse are fully accessible which includes the location for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent house and gardens.

Thursday 24th October, 7.00-8.00pm

Historic Houses Director General, Ben Cowell, joins us to talk about his latest book, The British Country House Revival (Boydell, 2024). The book traces the history of the Historic Houses Association from its foundation in 1973, and the significant revival in fortunes that historic house properties have experienced in the half-century since the V&A’s landmark exhibition in 1974, ‘The Destruction of the Country House’.  

Various Dates in October & November, 6.00pm-1.00am

Ever wanted to find out what goes bump in the night up at the ‘Big House’?

Grab your torch and join us for a late-night exploration of the House & Gardens as well as parts of the Stables usually off-limits to visitors… but be sure to have your wits about you!

A guide will accompany you as you explore different rooms in the House where you can either silently watch and wait or use filming equipment to capture elements of your experience.

Price: £80.00

Sessions available on the following dates:

• Friday 25th October & Saturday 26th October
• Friday 1st November & Saturday 2nd November
• Friday 8th November & Saturday 9th November

Additional Information

• Please note, the use of rem pods, K2 meters and cat balls is permitted but no table tipping or Ouija boards will be allowed.
• Visitors are permitted to bring their own food and drink and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available to purchase from the Butler's Pantry Café.
• The route will include stairs, uneven flooring and areas of complete darkness.
• These events are for over 18s only.

Accessibility

Due to the age and nature of the House, unfortunately there is no disabled access to the upper floors which includes the venue for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Tuesday 29th October, 11.00am-12.30pm

Little explorers can learn about nature whilst foraging in the Forest of Bewilderment for materials to create an autumnal wreath and woodland suncatcher to take home!

Adult: General Admission
Child: £7.50
Accompanying Carer: Free

Please note, this activity is most suitable for children aged 7-11 who should be accompanied by an adult throughout. The adult may be required to support children in carrying out activities.

Wednesday 30th October, 11.00am-12.30pm

Wannabe witches and wizards can get into the spirit of Halloween with our Spooky Crafts! Create three scary decorations to take home and have lots of fun along the way.

Adult: General Admission
Child: £7.50
Accompanying Carer: Free

Please note, this activity is most suitable for children aged 5-12 who should be accompanied by an adult throughout. The adult may be required to support children in carrying out activities.

Wednesday 13th November, 7.00-8.00pm

In 1948 and 1949 there were various sales held in London of the selected contents of Wentworth Woodhouse. Head Guide & House Historian, David Allott, will help to shed some light on items dispersed from the House and how they went on to be housed in museums, private collections and other institutions.

Saturday 16th November, 7.00-9.00pm

Come and join us for our next fundraising event in The Marble Saloon - an evening of song with Thurnscoe Male Voice Choir as they celebrate their centenary year. Expect a wide range of male voice choir songs ranging from traditional numbers through to pop songs and musical hits from South Pacific, Les Misérables and Cats!

Friday 22nd November, 7.00-10.00pm

Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, returns to Wentworth Woodhouse once more with a performance of the classic, festive ghost story A Christmas Carol.

This thrilling one-man performance, followed by a two course Victorian meal, is the perfect way to spend a dark, winter evening at our final fundraising event of the year!

Price: £65.00

Additional Information

• Doors and bar open: 6.45pm
• Event starts: 7.30pm
• Food served: 8.00pm

Accessibility

Due to the age and nature of the House, unfortunately there is no disabled access to the upper floors which includes the venue for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Saturday 30th November, 7.00-9.00pm

Following their popular ‘Swing Through the Decades’ performance earlier this year, Dearne Big Band are set to return for another fundraising event this November - an evening of ‘Rat Pack’! Take a step back to the 50s with classic hits like Come Fly with Me, Ain’t that a Kick in the Head, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, and New York, New York.

Price: £25.00 | Accompanying Carer: Free

Friday 9th August & Friday 29th November, 6.45-10.30pm

Join us for six rounds of trivia and fun to test your knowledge and have a laugh along the way! Entry is £15.00 per person and includes a pie and pea supper.

Team of Four: £60.00

Timings

• Doors open and bar available from 6.45pm
• Event starts at 7.30pm
• Event ends at 10.30pm

Accessibility

Due to the age and nature of the house, there is no disabled access to the upper floors which includes the venue for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Thursday 7 November, 7.00-8.00pm

Desiree Reynolds of Sheffield Archives's Dig Where You Stand joins us to share stories of Black history at Wentworth Woodhouse that have been uncovered as part of the Sheffield Archives project. 

In November, Fractured: Black Life Appearing Through the Cracks reveals some of the earliest recorded African-descended people in South Yorkshire. This is change work.

At this lecture, we will delve further into the stories on display. 

Dig Where You Stand is an archival justice movement made up of artists, archivists, educators and local community members.The team have unearthed the untold stories of people of colour living, working and putting down roots in South Yorkshire over hundreds of years, including stories with a connection to the Big House.

Friday 22nd November, 9.30am-12.00pm

Get into the holiday spirit and unleash your creativity at our festive fundraising event: Christmas Glass Decoration Workshop!

Perfect for beginners and craft enthusiasts alike, this session offers a fun introduction to glass decorating techniques with glass artist, Pam Goodison. You’ll have the chance to design and craft two of your very own glass ornaments – perfect for adding a personal touch to your holiday décor or gifting to someone special!

No prior experience is necessary – two pre-cut pieces of glass and all the accessories are provided for you to bring your designs to life with full guidance every step of the way. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to create something beautiful and festive in the surroundings of Wentworth Woodhouse.

Please select your two festive Glass Decoration shapes at check-out: Gingerbread Man, Snow Globe, Robin or Christmas Tree.

Price: £55.00

Additional Information

Once completed, your ornaments will be left with us to be fired. You will receive a notification within seven days inviting you to collect your completed Christmas decorations.

Accessibility

The ground floor here at Wentworth Woodhouse is fully accessible, which includes the location for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Friday 25th October, 9.30am-1.00pm

Celebrate the season and ignite your creativity at our Seasonal Lantern-Making Workshop! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned crafter, this 3.5 hour session is the perfect way to add a touch of warmth to your home for autumn and winter. You’ll design and create your own beautiful glass lantern, choosing from seasonal designs like autumnal leaves and pumpkins or Christmas trees and snowflakes – perfect for brightening up the colder evenings and adding a cozy atmosphere to your home.

No previous experience is required – all materials, including the lantern base and decorative accessories are provided with full guidance every step of the way.

Please select your preferred colour of Lantern base at check-out: Green or White.

Price: £75.00

Additional Information

Once completed, your ornament will be left with us to be fired. You will receive a notification within seven days inviting you to collect your completed Lanterns.

Accessibility

The ground floor here at Wentworth Woodhouse is fully accessible, which includes the location for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Grow Your Network, Cultivate Good

Why choose between networking and CSR when you can do both? This event offers an incredible way to tick all your CSR boxes while supporting a local charity. Share ideas, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to the community—all in one morning!

Highlights:

Welcome breakfast & introduction to Wentworth Woodhouse

Community Garden volunteering: Network while you work!

A fun, purposeful morning combining networking with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Join us for an experience that will leave you with fresh contacts and a lasting positive impact.

There’s no better way to “net-work” and give back!

Wentworth Woodhouse is not just a venue; it is a community hub changing lives and supporting the local community. As a registered charity, Wentworth Woodhouse’s mission is to change lives by supporting all our community members young and old.

Friday 18th October, 10.00am-12.30pm

As winter approaches and the festive season begins, why not create your very own corsage to wear at those special occasions?

As part of our Big House Heroes fundraising campaign, Darfield-based Milliner, Sherry Richardson, is kindly hosting a Corsage-Making Workshop where you will come away with your very own fabric rose to wear as a corsage or to stylishly embellish your handbag or hat.

No previous experience is required – all materials and decorative accessories are provided with full guidance every step of the way.

Price: £45.00

Accessibility

The ground floor here at Wentworth Woodhouse is fully accessible, which includes the location for this event.

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

The Big House Heroes Sunday Brunch

Sunday 27th October, 10.30am-12.30pm

You’re invited to our Big House Heroes Sunday Brunch!

Join Jo Davison and Wentworth Woodhouse CEO, Sarah McLeod, at Wentworth Mechanics Institute and enjoy a community Sunday Brunch with a selection of breakfast favourites including: Full English, Baked Spanish Eggs or Greek Yogurt with fruit and granola.

Dig in deep and support their £1,000 target for Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, as part of the Big House Heroes fundraising campaign.

With thanks to Morrisons Parkgate for donating the ingredients.

Price: £12.50pp

Help Support Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

Remember, any money made from our events goes straight into the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and contributes towards the restoration of this magnificent House & Gardens.

Fractured: Black Lives Through the Cracks of Wentworth Woodhouse Launch Event

Thursday 31st October, 7.00-8.30pm (doors open 6.30pm)

Join us for the launch of this new exhibition and enjoy live performances of poetry and music from Désirée Reynolds, Otis Mensah and Seigfried Komidashi as well as a Q&A discussion. The event will state place on the ground floor of the mansion which is fully accessible for visitors.

Price: Free

A coach has been organised to take visitors based in Sheffield to and from Wentworth Woodhouse. If you would like to reserve a space please let us know via the booking link. 

If you have further questions about the exhibition launch please email digwhereyoustand.sy@gmail.com

About Dig Where You Stand

Dig Where You Stand is an archival justice movement made up of artists, archivists, educators, and local community members. We unearth the untold stories of people of colour living, working and putting down roots in South Yorkshire over hundreds of years. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on social media:  Instagram, Twitter & Linkedin.