STAINBOROUGH

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 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

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

Date taken: 03/09/2013

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

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.

Pillared Barn SE 318 034

The Pillared Barn was built in about 1775 for the 2nd Earl of Strafford.

Date taken: 03/09/2013

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

The Serpentine Bridge spans the contour canal and was built for the 2nd Earl of Strafford in 1758.

The stone steps were added later.

Date taken: 03/09/2013

Strafford Gate SE 325 036

Straffod Gate was erected for William Wentworth in 1768.

Unfortunately, the gateway has been recently moved about 20 yards to allow access to the visitor car park.

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

Date taken: 03/09/2013

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

Date taken: 03/09/2013