Comments on: The Gothic Temple, Wentworth Castle, South Yorkshire

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:52:55 +0000

Thank you Simon.
I revisited the Gothic Temple at Wentworth Castle because I found the Barbara Jones drawing, but you have spurred me to give the whole site some more thought, although I’m very much aware that an expert team have covered the subject.
Sadly the “Needle’s Eye” (I use inverted commas because this term seems to be a 19th century nickname for arches, although I am very happy to be corrected if anyone knows otherwise) remains the least known of the many wonderful landscape ornaments. It is documented in text but not visually as far as I know – but again I’m always happy to receive new information.
I don’t remember seeing a photo of the interior of Stainborough Castle. The room was intact in living memory, but I’m not sure that the plasterwork had survived.
Roger – can you help further?

By: Simon Scott

Simon Scott — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:10:28 +0000

Fascinating as always, particularly interested in anything Wentworth related! Like Iain, I recall that FF trip (in the 1990s I think) and being mesmerised by the quality of the stones scattered about thinking that someone will surely try to rebuild this with its Walpole connections. Hopefully one day.
Have not seen your “poor condition” photo before – another great find.
Two questions relating to Wentworth Castle:
Does anyone have an interior image of the keep at Stainborough Castle showing the plasterwork? I was asked recently and was unable to assist.
Also, you say “all are happily documented” but I have never seen any image of the Needle Eye that ended up under the M1. Was it photographed prior to demolition? If you have anything do please share. Two Wentworth estates and two Needle Eyes – a topic for a future blog surely!

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 16:02:55 +0000

In reply to Roger Taylor. Hello Roger. Yes, a sad list of losses, but all are happily documented so at least we know something of their history (others might appear here before too long). And those buildings that survive are amongst the very best of their kind. Thank you for letting me know about the house tours, I will update the text to make that clear.

By: Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 20:26:38 +0000

Home to 26 listed structures, Wentworth castle is well worth a visit and house tours are currently taking place 1 day a month. The Umbrello, is one of many follies now lost, inluding Constantines Well, Rockley Woodhouse, The smoothing iron (pyramid), the ‘ruined’ city walls at Worsborough Common (though 2 towers survive), the Fishing temple (now a pile of stone on the Serpentine),Rockley Abbey farm and a gothic arch (The Needle eye, lost to the M1 along with the Cain and Able statue).

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 17:25:24 +0000

In reply to Gwyn Headley. Hello Gwyn. Providing these little challenges is all part of the service!

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 17:24:46 +0000

In reply to Iain KS Gray.

Good evening Iain. Yes I remember the Folly Fellowship visit well – a lot has changed since then. The restoration programme has achieved so much – a great success story.

By: Iain KS Gray

Iain KS Gray — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 17:15:17 +0000

I recall seeing the remains of the umbrello in the grounds of the castle on our first visit there.

By: Gwyn Headley

Gwyn Headley — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 13:36:50 +0000

In reply to Editor. Now I've got to go and look up Wapentake.

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 10:57:58 +0000

In reply to Gand. But hopefully one day there might be a happy ending!

By: Gand

Gand — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 08:28:29 +0000

Well that is a proper Gothic horror tale