Wentworth Area
Barrow - Cortworth - Harley - Hoober - Lea Brook - Street - Wentworth
These villages are situated to the north west of the Borough of Rotherham. Wentworth itself is a quite a large village with the usual amenities of two watering holes, a couple of shops and some larger retail areas in old parts of the Wentworth Woodhouse outbuildings. As for the other villages most are so small you could blink and miss them.
Barrow
Barrow - I have not found any conjectures on the meaning of this so far, but I presume it has the meaning of old burial mound rather than wheelbarrer. This is the next settlement west of Wentworth along the B6090. There are old almshouses here which used to also contain a boys' school. I believe that these were substantially restored about 15 years ago and some were sold as private homes.
Cortworth
Cortworth is a name on the name alongside Cortworth Lane. It isn't really a village - just a few odd houses.
Harley
Harley is Old English Hart's ley - ley being a meadow or glade. This is a pleasant little village with a pub and a church, some old cottages, some newer property, a big sports ground, allotments where yours truly used to raise vegetables. As far as I can recall there is no 'big house' here but some of the houses were I think built for miners at Barley Hole Pit.
Hoober
Hoober - from the bovate of Horbir (1222 AD) or Horbury - a mud house. Hoober is perhaps more of an area than a village with Hoober Hall to the north and Hoober House and what passes for the village to the south. Hoober House, which is the headquarters of Huthwaite International is tucked away privately in woodland. This was at one time a girls' finishing school.
Lea Brook
Lea Brook - the brook in the clearing or meadow. NB. Opinions as to the meanings of some of these old words are as numerous as the people who investigate them. Take the word Lea, also spelled Lee, Leigh, Legh. I have always understood that it means meadow but others believe it means glade. Take your pick!
Street
Street called Strata in 1323 is on the Roman Road. It is another miniscule settlement.
Other Pages to Visit
Useful Information
"The Wentworth Village Community Association (or "WVCA") is a registered charity set up to co-ordinate the activities of various local voluntary groups who provide amenities for residents in Wentworth and the surrounding "area of benefit" (Street, Lea Brook, Hoober and Nether Haugh). The WVCA has a number of subcommittees which run various different aspects of the Association's business such as the Sports and Social committee, which organises events such as the annual firework display and the Millennium Committee which was responsible for organising many of the Millennium events in the area and production a Parish Map. One of the Association's main responsibilities is the management of the Mechanics Institute (or village hall) which is held under lease from Rotherham Borough Council. This building, which was originally donated by the Fitzwilliam family for the furtherance of their workers' education, is the focal point of village life and is used for all kinds of events including the Youth Club, W.I., Old Peoples club and British Legion. It also attracts a number of commercial users, such as a Doctor's surgery, dance class and monthly Craft Fairs. The Mechanics Institute is available to hire for private and commercial events. Please call 01226 749479 for details."