STAINBOROUGH, West Riding
Archer's Hill Gate SE 332 029
Archer's Hill Gate was built in 1744 for William Wentworth and marks the place where the old public road left the Wentworth Castle Estate. The three arches frame the views across the parkland.
The name probably commemorates Thomas Archer, the architect who designed the Baroque front of the mansion in the early 18th century.
It was rebuilt in 2007.
Date taken: 03/09/2013
The name probably commemorates Thomas Archer, the architect who designed the Baroque front of the mansion in the early 18th century.
It was rebuilt in 2007.
Date taken: 03/09/2013
The Corinthian Temple SE 319 030
The Corinthian Temple was built in 1766 for the Earl of Strafford. John Platt, of Rotherham, was commissioned to carve four Corinthian columns to match those on the house.
Date taken; 03/09/2013
Date taken; 03/09/2013
Duke of Argyll's Monument SE 322 024
In 1744, a Corinthian column surmounted with a statue of Minerva was erected near the original driveway to Wentworth Castle. It was built by Joseph Bower for the 2nd Earl in memory of his father-in-law.
The inscription reads: TO THE MEMORY OF HIS GRACE JOHN DUKE OF ARGYLL AND GREENWICH Who died October ye. 4th 1743 This Collumn was Dedicated in 1744 |
Queen Anne Obelisk SK 331 029
In 1733, Thomas Wentworth had an obelisk erected and dedicated it to Queen Anne, who had died twenty years earlier. She had honoured him with the title Earl of Strafford in 1711 but after her death he was ousted from his position at court. The inscription begins:
To the Pious
GLORIOUS
And immortal memory of
Queen ANNE
This Obelisk is erected
By her most faithful Minister
Thomas WENTWORTH
Earl of Strafford
To the Pious
GLORIOUS
And immortal memory of
Queen ANNE
This Obelisk is erected
By her most faithful Minister
Thomas WENTWORTH
Earl of Strafford
Stainborough Castle SE 315 030
In 1727, Thomas Wentworth, the 1st Earl of Strafford, had a gatehouse and 220 yard long wall with four square towers built on the sit of a hill fort. The four round towers of the gatehouse were named after his children, Anne, Harriet, Lucy and William. When Sir Thomas Robinson visited it in 1734, it was said to be 'just finished'. Horace Walpole said it was built 'in the true style'.
By 1775, John Platt of Rotherham was required to rebuild part of the gatehouse.
In two eastern towers collapsed during the 1962 gale.
In two eastern towers collapsed during the 1962 gale.
Pillared Barn SE 318 034
Rotunda SE 327 027
Work on the Rotunda was started by Joseph Bower, the estate mason, for the 1st Earl of Strafford who died in 1739. It was built between 1742 and 1746 for the 2nd Earl.
The Ionic peristyle is inspired by the Temple of Sybil at Tivoli near Rome. It was badly damaged by fire in the 1980s. The Rotunda was recently restored. |
Serpentine Bridge SE 323 035
Strafford Gate SE 325 036
Steeple Lodge SE 318 034
Steeple Lodge is a sham church erected in 1775 at the northern entrance to Wentworth Castle. There is a copy of the sham church at Broughton, Northamptonshire, built for the Earl of Strafford.
Steeple Lodge was for sale in 1991 for £120.000 and reduced to £105,000 in 1993.
Postcard sent: 1917
Steeple Lodge was for sale in 1991 for £120.000 and reduced to £105,000 in 1993.
Postcard sent: 1917
Sun Monument SE 317 030
William Wentworth had an obelisk erected and dedicated it to Mary Montagu, wife of the British Ambassador to Turkey.
The bronze disk could be seen from their home at Wortley Hall. The inscription reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THE RT. HON LADY MONTAGU WHO IN THE YEAR 1720 INTRODUCED INOCULATION OF THE SMALL POX INTO ENGLAND FROM TURKEY See also: Gloucestershire BERKELEY Temple of Vaccinia Date taken: 03/09/2013 |