Wentworth Woodhouse: Inside the UK's biggest Country House.
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2021
- Wentworth Woodhouse is the biggest Country Home in the UK, and also features the longest facade of any Country Home in Europe. You would be forgiven however for not knowing much about this spectacular English Manor House. In fact, you might not even know of its existence. The reason, is that up until recently, Wentworth Woodhouse was just another forgotten Stately Home; unloved and largely falling into disrepair. This is all about to change however, with the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust finally bringing this epic piece of history back into public ownership, and embarking on an epic programme of restoration.
Find out more about the epic history of Wentworth Woodhouse, and join me on an epic tour of one of the UK's most impressive historic properties.
For the written article for this video, please check out my blog post:
eheritageuk.com/inside-the-uk...
For my Castle Howard Documentary:
• Castle Howard: Inside ...
For my top 10 list of most magnificent Country Homes:
• Top 10 Best Country Ho...
National Trust vs English Heritage vs Historic Houses:
• National Trust v Engli...
As a North American (born Yank turned Canuck) I'm amazed at these larger homes and couldn't imagine how anyone could afford to maintain a home this size. I guess I was right, one couldn't. I'm glad to see that they are getting the love they so richly deserve.
They are incredible places. We are so lucky to have so many. Thanks for watching!
America has many, many large stately homes both rich in art and history. One merely has to look
It was massive amounts of servants that kept it going. Today, we have over 200 volunteers that sort of act as the same functions...but we don't have to light all the fireplaces or anything like that!
@@piusx8317 That-s nice, but they are in no way going to be as old or as grand as this or others in England...sorry! Old in America is like 150 years old...these are many centuries old. The original homes built on this land were 1200 or perhaps earilier.
@@piusx8317 Not this size and grandeur.
I concur that it has to be seen in person.
Thank you.
Very true!
Wentworths built it Strafford inherited. It hadn’t been left to rack and ruin like your intro suggested. It was very well looked after by the Newman family for many years. The damage that has undermined the foundations was done by manny shinwell and his group of miners, mining right up to the front door. I worked there as a teenager the place is amazing and worth a visit.
Greedy MONEY hungry owners mined coal to the front door - then SOLD
@@craigparham7992 from what I gathered it from a previous documentary was the government who ordered the coal to be dug out
@@joelchesters4184 I think you are correct they took the money hose started to sink - they tried to sue the Government or something along those lines - any way house was left to rot
@@craigparham7992 sorry, but you are wrong on both counts; Shinwell took the coal using wartime regulations and used opencast mining. Earl Fitzwilliam protested about the destruction of the park, and was supported by the Yorkshire branch of the NUM. The estate had always been open to miners and tenants and they had a good reputation foe running safe mines and looking after their people. During the strike of 1926 they fed the children and the Earl provided work for miners planting a forest in North Yorkshire. Finally the 8th, 9th and 10th Earls lived at the house and they only sold it in 1988.
@@paulmasterson386 The 9th and 10th Earls did not live there - they lived at Milton Hall near Peterborough. They often visited Wentworth House (as it was known to the family) to check on the college.
I shall definitely put this House on my To See List! Thank You for this video.
Glad you enjoyed. My pleasure!
My favorite UK house is Howard Castle. We visited the summer of 2011. Wentworth Woodhouse looks just as fascinating as the castle and I will certainly add it to my bucket list after seeing your documentary. Thanks so much, from Ottawa, Canada!
Thanks John! I also have a massive hot spot for Castle Howard! You must visit the Woodhouse if you ever get chance, the size and scale of the place is unbelievable! Thanks for you comment 😊
Spent the day there today. What an amazing place.
Isn’t it just! And it’s only going to get better 😍
There is a good book written about this house Called Black Diamonds By Catherine Bailey. The story is about the decline of the House and the family.
Thanks for sharing, I’ll check that out!
She also wrote about the Dukes of Rutland at Belvoir Castle in her book, 'The Secret Rooms'.
Thank you for this video and story about Wentworth Woodhouse and Watson House, their stories are both informative and interesting. I will look for more information so I can plan a visit, to experience the grandeur of Wentworth Woodhouse.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited the house and was shown around by its owner at that time Mr Newbold.
Unfortunately the wings were crumbling and sinking due to the damage caused by the coal mining. Manny Shinwell the Minister for mining and his politics of envy allowed the open cast mining around this beautiful house which led to the damage.
Wow you were very lucky to have been able to visit back then! Yes very unfortunate, however the house and grounds are starting to look fantastic again 😍
I was shocked to see the beautiful grounds destroyed by mining! How awful. Especially if it damaged the buildings too.
Can't wait to see it when it has been cleaned on the exterior!
It looks nice, you will love it!
It has been...there are tours daily
@@lisawentworth6831 I think Amanda is referring to the Tuscan columns which have been said will keep looking like that to show the coal mining heritage
@@kets4443 Tuscan columns? Anyway, many of us wish the exterior would be cleaned, but the idea was to leave the coal heritage. Although I saw some steam cleaning going on the other day around the portico.
Thanks for posting this video. My 13th Great Grandfather was Thomas Wentworth…I never knew this place existed but as I’m already booked for my annual holiday in England for July- I will plan a visit.
I also am related to Thomas Wentworth and then the hollingshead family
I live very close to Wentworth and the lands and village of Wentworth are impressive but a visit to the church Wentworth graves are a must not forgetting the garden centre, I've visited the village numerous times but not been in the house as there is no sign marking the entrance, reception at the house and on a nice day it's worth a stroll threw the village there is even a playground with swings etc for the young ones whilst you visit the Rockingham Arms for refreshments and a bite to eat both pubs in the town do great carvery, and George and dragon ale House both are child friendly with great country atmospheres not full of locals but tourists the have a music fest each year last year was original 80s groups spandau midge ure Kim wild etc.
Thanks very much for sharing. I agree, the local area is very beautiful. You should definitely visit the house though if you get chance! The house’s grounds are also lovely.
This has been my favorite stately home since I read a biography of Kathleen Kennedy in 1983. She was the sister of President Kennedy and became popular with many members of the British aristocracy and married the eldest son of the Duke of Devonshire. He died only a couple months later during WWII. She then began a love affair with the very married Peter 8th Earl Fitzwilliam. They were both killed in a plane crash in the south of France in 1948.
It’s such an incredible house isn’t it!? That’s really interesting, thanks for sharing!
The book Black Diamonds is really excellent - it is about the Fitzwilliam family and the house is also one of the main subjects
@@aucklandsam Excellent book I have a copy and loved reading about the Fitzwilliam family & the wonderful Wentworth Woodhouse. Hope they make a movie or mini series it will be bigger then Downton Abby.
@@notnek202 it was such a fascinating book - it sent me down many Wikipedia rabbit holes reading about the history and the people associated with the house and the family. I found her other book a little underwhelming. Yes, I agree - would make for a really good documentary or mini-series.
Nothing compares to castle Howard 💕
In 1826 my 4th great grandfather did some work there for Lady Milton. I never even thought of visiting each time I was in Yorkshire, but now it's on my list. There may also be a connection to Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (the sculpture gallery, the circle in the floor, etc) even though it wasn't shot there.
Me too. At the end of 1800’s my great grandparents met while working in service to Lord Fitzwilliam. Pity my mum who remembered her grandmothers stories about there didn’t live long enough to go back to visit. Also a shame Sheffield Polytechnic didn’t run degree courses I was interested in studying. Would love to find out more about records of that time. 1881 census is too early. Also what brought great grandparents to work ther one from Hertfordshire malting industry and the other from Grey stones.
Mmm just noticed your reference to Kubrick. He owned a Hertfordshire estate the family still reside in Childwickbury. They too were race horse people I think as certainly Lady Yule from Munden was. Some Kubrick filming happened on her estate in Bricket Wood.
Many thanks for this, I've grown up locally and visit the area from time to time and it's good to let the world know Wentworth is here. One small point though.... the title was Earl of "Strafford" not Stafford.
Hopefully, I'll get to visit soon (before I'm too old).
Thanks so much Frank. I’m glad you love the house too. A slight slip of the tongue unfortunately ☺️
Great channel! I hope to one day do a country house tour of England
Thank you! I hope you get chance.
Love your channel...looking forward to viewing more awesome videos. Deb from Western Australia. :)
Thanks so much Deb! It’s comments like this that keep me going ☺️
Stunning 😍
Mrs Howell on "Gilligan's Island" was a Wentworth.
Beautiful house and gardens!
I love this place 😍
Interesting video. How did I miss this gem
Thanks for posting. Love your accent btw.
Oh ha ha thanks very much! Such a spectacular house. I was invited for a behind the scenes tour yesterday so I will have another video coming out soon!
What I'm interested in in houses of this vintage, is how was heating, plumbing and gas or electricity introduced into these ancient buildings that were constructed long before either of those conveniences existed. Was gas lighting installed in the 19th century, steam heat? When was it first electrified? Obviously fireplaces sufficed in the 17th and 18th centuries, but by the mid-19th century, I believe early steam systems were coming into use.
Thank you so so so much for all your efforts… I learn so much from you
That’s really kind of you to say! It’s comments like this that keep me going 😊
@@Xploreheritage I have your channel in my favourites in a special list of my interests and watch it on my RUclips app on TV which is like being at the college learning and planning visits too; thank you hugely for your efforts and do know that those like you do make a difference
@@juli8vdberg562 Well you have absolutely made my day 🙏
@@Xploreheritage 😍
Mind-blowing.
worked on this place in the early 2000s looks very different now to how it is now was very sorry for its self but was being restored at the time.
lOVE your videos Thankyou!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing. I came across this video as I have connections to the Wentworth Woodhouse estate. It seems that others are also related...wonder why... 😉 One of the Earls is thought to be my great great grandfather. Funnily enough I never thought to find out if the house still existed until now! My grandma is very much interested to see the house, as it is a big part of her history on her mother's side.
It’s my pleasure! And, thank you very much for your comment. That is interesting! Really hope you manage to visit.
I only just watched this video (and just subscribed); we've exchanged comments on a couple of your other videos. Love them and keep up the good work. Like you, (well, not like you, as I am an American in Houston teehee) I love the grand English houses. I watched "Bridgeton" for the house porn haha. During my first visits to London and the UK in 2016 and 2018, I ticked off a couple of bucket list items, like Chiswick and C. Howard, as well as Apsley, Osterley, Kenwood, and the Queen's House, along with Soane's. Thanks to damn COVID, I did not return to London until, well, 3 weeks ago. Woo hoo! I returned to Houston two weeks ago today, as a matter of fact. Sadly. Wish I was still there. I stayed in an Airbnb in Richmond this time, partly because of it's proximity to Syon. I wanted to see Marble Hill House and the Banqueting House but they are closed, dang it. But I did see Ham House and Eltham Palace and ticked off another bucket list item--Syon. To my great surprise, and slight disappointment, I didn't love Syon as much as I anticipated. I mean, I love me some R. Adam and hello that fantabulous Great Hall is swoonworthy but...I don't know. The rest of it is great, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't work for me as well as Chiswick (still my favorite; not by Adam) and I think I even prefer Adam's great library at Kenwood to Syon's great hall. Chatsworth is still on the bucket list and I considered trying to visit it this time but it is actually just not terribly convenient from London and the trains seem to have become quite pricey since I was last there. Maybe next time. BTW, and coincidentally to this video, during the chilly nights in Richmond when I stayed in, I read "Black Diamonds," which I will assume you know. I picked up it a small bookshop. The Fitzwilliams were a hot mess of a family ha. Anyway, sorry to go on like this. I can get on a roll sometimes. Again, keep up the good work with our videos! Cheers!
That should be YOUR videos, not our videos, of course. Silly me.
Thanks so much for you lovely words. Really enjoy reading your comments! I’m so glad you managed to get across for a visit. If you do ever get chance then you must try and visit Chatsworth. Burghley House is also an absolute must if you get chance! Thanks again and stay safe 😊
Well done. You’ve earned a new subscriber.
Thank you!
Just subscribed! 😀 Thank you!
Thanks so much, really appreciate the support!
Spectacular manor!
I love the Hellenic style 7:35 🏛🇬🇷
But also the exterior is breathtaking!
Beautiful manor, I love it!
Apparently the Wentworths are my ancestors. Thanks for the video, love learning more information on them.
Wow that’s interesting. My pleasure, thanks for watching!
Well done mate
Thanks a lot Bill 😊
Following great video
Thank you, glad you enjoyed!
Went there in WWll...long ago.. surprised it's still there .
Wow that’s incredible! Certainly is, and lovely it is too!
Let me know when you do a video on the house!!!!! I saw nothing on the inside of the house !!!
Check out my behind the scenes tour. If you head over to my channel you will find it!
I am amazed at the number of names associated with Jane Austen: Fitzwilliam, Wentworth and Woodhouse. I'm wondering if I missed any.
Wentworth Woodhouse is believed to have been a big inspiration behind Pemberley actually, it’s a shame the house wasn’t used in the TV and film adaptations.
The video's title says that this is about the interiors, yet here I'm 70% through the video before we have the first mention of interiors.
I played on the Fitzwilliam estates as a youngster when I visited my grandparents. Have a look at the estate and village on Google Earth.
You are very lucky! Such a beautiful area 😍
Another excellent piece. How about a visit to The Piece Hall and/or Shibden Hall in Halifax if you’re reasonably local?
Thank you! I have been meaning to visit Shibden for a while, and Piece Hall looks amazing! Both on my list 🥰
@@Xploreheritage Ah that’s fantastic! Possibly worth mentioning that Halifax Town Hall was designed by Charles Barrie too
I went to the Piece Hall and when I went there it was just a bunch of shops. Do go to Shibden Hall though, especially the park.
Beautiful, but indicative of a society that was grossly unequal. Unfortunately, we are now in a period of many similarities with this time.
My favorite historical stately house in BRITAIN....
I can see why 😍
As a radical democrat and unapologetic socialist, I hate what Wentworth Woodhouse symbolizes. BUT, as an Anglophile and lover of architecture, I find that mansion magnificent! I plan to someday visit. And I also plan to someday (sooner) contribute to its restoration and perpetuation.
Hi Joseph thank you for your comment. Yes it is very unfortunate that many of these great houses were built on the back of slavery etc, but as I always say, how can we teach our children about mistakes made in the past and social inequality without such places. And, Like you say, you cannot deny the beauty of the architecture. Thanks for you comment. Really hope you get chance to visit!
I too share your socialist views but I do despise the name of Manny Shinwell and what he tried to do to this beautiful building through his abuse of power. He himself was a titled person, a baron I believe. Manny Shinwell in my eyes was an insult to my beloved belief in socialism. I do recommend that you visit this house, if you haven't done so already, and learn as much as you can from its history, I'm sure you will find it fascinating.
This is wonderful. How do I get to meet you. I'm as passionate about great houses as you. Have you seen cotehelel in devon. Saltram. Wilton. Please do .
Thanks so much David! Unfortunately I haven’t been to any of those houses, however I am desperate to get to Wilton! Absolutely love that place 🥰
Thanks for posting this! I’ve followed the sad recent history of WW from afar, and certainly intend to finally get to see it for myself one day.
If I might offer some *constructive* feedback, could you please speak a little slower! One needs time to hear the elements of the history, and have time to ‘inwardly digest’ it, before hearing another juicy titbit!
PS: subscribed!
Hi John, it’s my pleasure. Really glad you enjoyed the video! Always happy to receive constructive feedback so thanks so much for this! You might be interested to know that I was invited to Wentworth Woodhouse earlier this week to do some filming and for a behind the scenes tour. I’ll hopefully have a video coming out soon so stay tuned. Glad to have you on board!
❤
Great job
Thank you 🙏
This place was based on downtown abbey
It's Strafford, not Stafford
Maybe just my pronunciation Lisa.
@@Xploreheritage OK...Strafford comes up as a typo, but I get picky about it because people start thinking of Stafford upon Avon or something more commonly known. The land was actually called Strafford
@@lisawentworth6831 That's neither Strafford or Stafford... it's Stratford
@@kets4443 No, I'm sorry you are wrong as it is my family history. Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford...it's the name of the land where my people came from. The announcer is annoyingly saying the wrong name...not a mispronunciation. You are thinking of Stratford upon Avon, which is nowhere near and nothing to do with Shakespeare...sorry. Wentworth Woodhouse is in Yorkshire
@@lisawentworth6831 you said "people start thinking of Stafford upon Avon" so I pointed out Stratford-upon-Avon isn't spelt like that, I'm sorry if I confused you
Thank you for mentioning the actual Wwbtworth family...as one of them, I point out w predate by many centuries what the Fitzwilliams did and built in the late 1700s and into the last century. FYI you mispronounce and misspell 'Strafford', which has an r in it, and is the name of the land. You say Stafford, which is more common
"actual"
I just saw a video of singing, your voice is beautiful!! I would love to know more of your family history!!
@@MilitarywidowOh, well thank you! I am a performer as well. I nearly bought the house back into the family, but Mr Newbold beat me to it. When I heard it reopened by the Trust, I moved 8,000 miles from Seattle, just to volunteer. This video does a nice job on history. Do come by the house and learn more...I always like to tell people more about the Wentworth family history, as the emphasis is always on the more recent Fitzwilliam family and what happened with the coal in the last 100 years...
@@lisawentworth6831 it would have been wonderful if you would have been able to buy the house back. It truly belong to the family ❤️❤️🙏🙏
@@Militarywidow Thank you for that! Well, I am there, doing my part.
So, Captain Wentworth used Emma Woodhouse's money to build a larger estate.
Be careful you will start to sound like Mr. Collins about Lady Catherine's chimney piece. 🙂
just kidding, I subed.
Ah good old Mr Collins. I haven’t begun counting the windows yet so hopefully I’m not quite there yet 🤣. I appreciate the sub! Cheers
I can’t help wondering what the purpose of building these huge homes was. Was it to impress and dazzle, to serve as a hotel, or some other, maybe darker reason. What, exactly went on in these huge homes?
It was all about showing off and demonstrating one’s wealth and position.
What difference does it make, no one is asking you what color your living room is? Personal choice of your own private property. Private property.
@@Xploreheritage Is that illegal in todays GB?
Do they have a plan to remove all of the black stuff(soot?) from the exterior?
Ooh I’m sure, I would think they do though!
.ksa misa q so you me dejen consfesar comulgar
Wow 😳
Is there any member of the family that might of lived there
The building is twice as wide as Buckingham palace.
Incredible isn’t it!
@@Xploreheritage It is.
Do sense and sensibility homes please
I’ll give it some consideration 😊
England is a beautiful country
Sure is 😊
Perhaps a little over populated and doesn't boast the amount of forest of Germany.
@@orvilleclisby6748 that’s true but Germany is still a slighter bigger country, how ever over 70% of the uk land is agricultural and 10% is classed as protected l. Where as Germany only has 46.6 land used as agricultural
England WAS a beautiful country. Now it is a socialist cesspool.
So many huge estates and stately homes made possible through profits on the backs of slaves and peasants. That should be included in the story behind these places. The wealth in England is mind boggling, past and present, including these homes and all their contents
Some of the UK stately homes are actually beginning to address this, which is of course long overdue.
We can all see that these houses required a lot of money - but we can't always see where it came from, and that's part of their history so it needs to be on display somehow.
@@CopenhagenDreaming Indeed❗
The UK government did give reparations afte they outlawed slavery in the UK but not to the former slaves but to the former slave owners for their lost income. That’s a scandal all its own.
At around 6:50, I noticed the unfortunate installation of garbage art that seems to seep like sewage into every public space. These talentless "artists" who couldn't in a 100 lifetimes create anything worthy of a house like this are for some reason given place to spoil everyone's experience with their indulgent, childish attempts to become relevant as "artists." They fail utterly. Throw that filth in the dumpster or use it as backfill in the garden and tell the so called artist to get a shovel and do something useful for once in their lives.
The narrator’s jumpy, staggered speech is really annoying - I have to turn it off.