Tower is new focus of historic house restoration

The next stage of the restoration of an historic country house in South Yorkshire will see one of its towers returned to its former 18th Century glory, those behind the project have said.

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust said it would work with historic buildings charity The Landmark Trust to restore the damp and decaying South Tower so it could be used as a holiday let.

The Preservation Trust, which took over the Grade I listed site's running in 2017, said it had signed a 99-year lease with The Landmark Trust, which specialises in restorations.

Caroline Stanford, Landmark Trust historian, said they were keen to get involved because Wentworth was one of Britain's most important sites.

Wentworth Woodhouse is the former home of Charles Watson-Wentworth, who served as prime minister between July 1765 and July 1766 and again between March and July 1782.

The South Tower, which is reached via its own private footbridge, underwent urgent external repairs in 2022, but now some historic features are at risk of being lost to dry rot.

The Landmark Trust said the former parlour and personal retreat of the 2nd Marchioness of Rockingham Mary Watson-Wentworth was located in the tower and was a "rare survival of 18th Century feminine taste".

The trust said the restoration plans would see craftspeople trained in traditional skills repairing the tower to create a self-catering apartment.

A total of 70% of the funds needed had been secured and work could begin as early as the summer, it said.

Between the 1960s and the 1980s, Wentworth Woodhouse was used as a training facility for women PE teachers and was known as Lady Mabel College.

Chris Bowmaker and Jean Walker, who were students there in the 1970s, lived in what had been the 2nd Marchioness' parlour in the South Tower, but said they had no knowledge of its history.

Bowmaker said they had fond memories of the tower.

"It was absolutely wonderful, immaculate and absolutely beautiful. It was like being in a Wedgwood teacup - fantastic."

"We, like most of our peers, totally appreciated it and still have a great fondness for the place."

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