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16 things you need to know before you travel to Spain during the pandemic

16 things you need to know before you travel to Spain during the pandemic

Travel as we know it has changed. The days of spontaneous weekend getaways are just a distant memory. Trips abroad during the pandemic require you to wade through a sea of bureaucracy before you can escape the UK and this requires sufficient advance planning to satisfy the requirements. Once you arrive, your beloved Spain may not be the Spain you recall. Wild party nights in Ibiza and Mallorca…

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Is the revised British Airways American Express card a waste of your time?

Is the revised British Airways American Express card a waste of your time?

British Airways made an announcement recently about the terms and conditions of the companion voucher. It is imperative that you read these terms closely so that you know your options prior to the 1st September. Personally, I believe the revised British Airways American Express Credit Card terms make this card even less attractive (See ‘When Is The Free BA AMEX Card Not Free At All?  To discover…

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6 Things you Need To Know Before You Book A Trip To Portugal This Summer.Y

6 Things you Need To Know Before You Book A Trip To Portugal This Summer.Y

There has been tons of press this week about how you can now visit Portugal quarantine free. Whilst it is true that Portuguese authorities have relaxed their entry requirements for people arriving from England and Scotland, overseas travel will be far from plain sailing this year. Here are 6 things you need to know before you book a trip to Portugal this summer. WARNING: Also check the latest…

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Five Really Good Reasons To Delay Booking A Holiday This Summer

Five Really Good Reasons To Delay Booking A Holiday This Summer

Whilst many people are desperate for the 17th of May to arrive so they can book a holiday, let me just stop you there. International travel is currently fraught with danger. Several potential hiccups may conspire to sabotage your plans. These hiccups could cost you thousands on top of the cost of your holiday. Before you take the plunge you need to consider each of these five really good reasons…

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Discover 5 things to see for the perfect 48 hours in Athens

Discover 5 things to see for the perfect 48 hours in Athens

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Which countries from the UK can I escape to?

Which countries from the UK can I escape to?

There are currently 62 countries and territories on the travel corridorslist including newly added Thailand. These are counties which you can travel to without the need to quarantine on your return to the UK. However, before you start to find flights, many of these countries impose restrictions on arrival. These restrictions may involve the need to provide evidence of a negative test or…

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Wentworth Woodhouse, is one of the largest period houses in England and its 185 metre façade eclipses that of Buckingham palace. It was once home to the Fitzwilliam family, one of the richest aristocratic families in the country. This magnificent venue has housed high flying socialites, politicians and in 1912, King George V and Queen Mary. It is now a great place for a fun day out in South Yorkshire.

Wentworth Woodhouse from the lawns

History of Wentworth Woodhouse

Before I share why, let me provide a little background to the house. In recent times, the house has served as a wartime military intelligence base, found fortune through open cast mining and more recently, served as a women’s teacher training PE college.

Despite its exuberant history however, it has slowly succumbed to rack and ruin. Many of its dilapidated buildings are in desperate need of renovation. Now owned by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, the trust is attempting to make the property into a tourist destination to provide the finance to renovate the property and its outbuildings. One way they now seek to raise funds is by opening the private estate gardens to paying visitors. One August Sunday we pay a visit and here is why we think you should consider it for your next fun day out in South Yorkshire.

The gorgeous flower borders of Wentworth Woodhouse gardens

Gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse

The gardens at Wentworth Woodhouse are reminiscent of a summer time Narnia. Accessed via a small doorway in the stable courtyard, you enter a magical pathway. Strewn along its length are quaint signs that invite you to sights in the gardens. Kids can roam to their heart’s content while parents can relax in deckchairs and sip champagne, nibble on pre-ordered picnic boxes or enjoy coffees and snacks from the stalls by the rear of the house. Yes Wentworth Woodhouse truly has plenty to offer for a fun day out in South Yorkshire.

Signs dotted around the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse

Refreshment stand at Wentworth Woodhouse

Although there are estate maps scattered throughout the ground, it is more fun to wander and happen upon the various enchanting sights.

The climbing tree

A gnarled tree, which begs to be climbed stands guard at the top of the drive leading away from the back of the house. Braver souls than I might clamber up it’s huge trunk and rest on the elevated platform. There, eyes can roam over the estate which was once home to wallabies, kangaroo, and even a bear. The Georgians apparently had a penchant for the exotic!

Clambering up the gnarled tree of Wentworth Woodhouse

The Bewildered Forest

The Bewildered Forest brings back fond memories of the Enid Blyton books I read as a child. As we meander along the shaded trail, I imagine goblins, and fairies peeping from behind trees. Princesses and knights dance the romance of love and armies of ants stoically build an ant hotel. A clearing with tree stumps arranged in a circle conjures up images of songs around a campfire. Another clearing houses a baking area where children can mix sand, mud and twigs to create beautiful cakes and casseroles. What wonderful scenes to captivate your child’s sponge-like imagination.

The Bewildered Forest at Wentworth Woodhouse

Baking stations in the Wentworth Woodhouse gardens

A clearing in the Bewildered Forest of Wentworth Woodhouse gardens

The Herbaceous Border and Ionic Temple

The herbaceous border is a feast of beautiful blooms. From exotic purples to the vivid yellows of towering sunflowers, it is a riot of colour and an intoxicating blend of wilderness and formality.

Beyond, the Ionic temple pays homage to the Greek god Hercules, who had to overcome 12 challenges to prove his courage. Ten Ionic columns support the dome and from Hercules’s vantage, you can enjoy far reaching views of the local countryside. The villages of Greasbrough and Harley bask in the bottom of the valley

Picnic lawns

The West Lawns are a reminder of bygone days. Hula hoops, croquet, bowls and other family games dot the grass and are free to enjoy. Plonk yourself in a deckchair, sit back and enjoy the sunshine. Even on a cooler day, you can still linger – just break a blanket to huddle under. You can sip champagne while the kids wear themselves out on ‘roly poly’ hill.

Relaxing in the deckchairs on the lawns of Wentworth Woodhouse

Entertainment for the children on the lawns of Wentworth Woodhouse

Mulberry Gardens

We wander around the walled circular garden of the Mulberry Gardens (which appears on some estate maps as the Rose Gardens) admiring the splash of vivid reds, oranges and yellows against the backdrop of the house. A stunning statue (sans head) is in a ornamental pool. As you wander back to the picnic lawns, watch out for the Hedgehog House hidden away in the bushes. So cute!

The hedgehog house at Wentworth Woodhouse

Camellia House

In the North West corner of the estate, you can admire the ruins of the Camellia House. Huge shrubs and weeds have reclaimed the interior and shards of glass twinkle in the sunlight. The Trust has plans to develop it into a classic tea room and events venue. I imagine taking afternoon tea with sunlight streaming through a glass panelled ceiling and look forward to the day when this becomes reality.

The beautiful ruins of the Camellia House at Wentworth Woodhouse

Covid measures

On a serious note, it is worth touching upon the measures the estate has implemented to keep you safe. They have installed plenty of antibacterial dispensers throughout the gardens and numerous signs encourage social distancing. There’s enough space that this doesn’t prove difficult. Furthermore, visitor entry slots are timed to allow sufficient social distancing and the estate is big enough that we rarely came across more than a few people.

Entry fees

If you book in advance online, tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. There is also a family tiket which includes two adults and two children for £10. At the gate the cost rises to £7 per adult and £3.50 per child over 3 years old. That said, you can simply book tickets at the gate on your phone to save. The booking process is quick and you instantly receive a bar code to secure entry. Slots are timed to allow for social distancing.

The gardens are open every Wednesday to Sunday and open at 10am and close at 6 pm.

Book tickets

Verdict

The development of the gardens for public visits has been done in a fun and family fuelled way. There’s plenty to see for all the family and it is easy to imagine yourself transported to a different era. Wentworth Woodhouse gardens are definitely worthy of a fun day out in South Yorkshire.

The fun filled gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse

Discover a fun day out in South Yorkshire Wentworth Woodhouse, is one of the largest period houses in England and its 185 metre façade eclipses that of Buckingham palace.

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This is one way not to get around Mykonos

This is one way not to get around Mykonos

If you are considering a trip to Mykonos this summer, you may need to consider options for getting around the island. However, here is one way you should not get around Mykonos.

Say hello to Morris the Moped

Introducing Morris

Let me introduce you to Morris (originally Marvin until it was agreed that he simply was not joyous enough). Morris is a little lazy and prone to whining. He is also…

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7 things you may not know about Mykonos

7 things you may not know about Mykonos

Mykonos has a reputation for being an expensive party island – a playground for rich millennials and the superyacht set. However, here are 7 things you may not know about Mykonos. I certainly didn’t!!

If only this was my super yacht in Mykonos

1. The Meltemi wind is strong!

There is a reason Mykonos has so many windmills! Every summer, heat from Africa collides with low pressure from the Balkans…

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What is it like to fly during the pandemic?

What is it like to fly during the pandemic?

Travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic is definitely more stressful than your usual airport experience. Our first overseas trip since February has more than it’s fair share of travel stresses – will the flight cancel due to limited bookings? Will we get quarantined? What will the airport be like? And is it even possible to social distance during travel? Hopefully our experience of what it is…

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Where can you go in Europe without the risk of quarantine?

Where can you go in Europe without the risk of quarantine?

In July, when borders started to reopen, the UK government announced a number of travel corridors. Initially, there were 59 countries from which you could travel without the need to quarantine on arrival. The government also introduced a list of countries and territories exempt from the advice against ‘all but essential international travel.’

Brits, desperate for sun, sand and sea flocked to the…

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How safe is it to visit stunning Mykonos currently?

How safe is it to visit stunning Mykonos currently?

If you are contemplating an overseas trip, Greece is one of the few countries that does not require you to quarantine automatically on arrival or upon your return. It has also been removed from the ‘essential travel only list’so insurance should not be an issue. But perhaps you wonder whether it is still wise to travel, particularly when countries recently placed on the travel corridors list have…

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Avoid these 6 mistakes when you book a holiday during the pandemic

Avoid these 6 mistakes when you book a holiday during the pandemic

Beware, independent travel is currently a minefield. There are a number of pitfalls you need to avoid when you book a holiday during the pandemic. Ignore these at your peril, as to do so could cost you dearly.

1. Don’t forget to check the latest travel guidance

First, you need to be sure that: 1. You have selected a country with no quarantine on arrival. 2. It is a country that doesn’t require qu…

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Where should you book a summer holiday to this year?

Where should you book a summer holiday to this year?

Are you desperate to get away from the wet, British weather? Has lockdown left you exhausted and in need of a break? If you really cannot cope without a bit of sun, sand and sea, what options do you have to book a summer holiday this year?

Wet British summer Key steps to take before you book a summer holiday Check whether the country is subject to UK travel quarantine

Start by reading ‘What…

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What destinations are safe to fly to this summer?

What destinations are safe to fly to this summer?

Following the announcement of airbridges between England and a number of countries, the UK government this week announced 59 countries (Source: Gov) that you can visit without the need to quarantine upon your return. The government has also removed the restriction for essential travel only to a number of countries, the details but before you rush out to book flights, you need to do your research.…

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What do airbridges mean for the safety of travel?

What do airbridges mean for the safety of travel?

This week, the government announced the introduction of airbridges for Some European countries. However the Foreign Office (FCO) still continue to advise against all but essential travel. So, what do airbridges mean for UK tourists?

An airbridge is a methaphorical link between two countries

What is an airbridge?

An airbridge is a reciprocal agreement between two countries. It allows their…

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Should you risk travelling overseas in July?

Should you risk travelling overseas in July?

I’ve seen several comments on social media and in the press about people planning to go travelling overseas in July if flights resume. Frankly if you are one of these people, flight availability should be the least of your worries. Instead, you should be focusing on these five things.

Foreign office advice

If the foreign office advise against all but essential overseas travel this will likely…