Wentworth
Round House, Wentworth
Wentworth is derived from the personal name Winta, which is Celtic or Old English, and wor - an enclosed homestead (i.e. one with a stockade around it). The village of Wentworth and the surrounding countryside, much of which is still owned by Fitzwilliam Estates and the Fitzwilliam family, has consequently has been left largely unspoiled. There is a lovely church, an old ruined one, two pubs, craft workshops and a very popular garden centre, lots of old cottages, good walking and some of the highest house prices around here. Given the number of very nice houses in Wentworth village itself and in the surrounding area, this has obviously bee an area of Rotherham where there has been a good deal of brass.
If you like walking the village of Wentworth is a great place to walk. If you don't mind getting your feet muddy there are enjoyable walks through fields and woods ending up back in the centre of the village. If you prefer to keep your feet a bit drier then there is a pleasant stroll from the Garden Centre along the lane to the church, down past the old church and back along the main road via the George and Dragon or the Rockingham Arms. Following the winter of 2010/11 I have been forced to revise this last statement. After the snow and the rains, walking this path down to the church was like wading through a stream.
Plenty of parking in the village car park but there is a parking charge. Parking for both the pubs and some limited on street parking.
Holy Trinity Church Wentworth
The new Holy Trinity church was designed by J.L. Pearson and built 1873-77 for the 6th Earl and Countess Fitzwilliam in memory of his parents. This happy couple produced fifteen children so they needed the extra room provided by the much larger new building. The six bells were installed in the old church in 1863 and moved to its successor in 1893.
Holy Trinity Old Church Wentworth
The medieval parish church was originally a chapel-of-ease to Wath Parish Church and it was first mentioned in 1235. The church was altered in the late 15th Century and in 1548 Thomas Wentworth bequeathed pillars and stone that he had bought from Monk Bretton Priory for the building of a new aisle. In 1684 the second Earl of Strafford spent £700 on rebuilding the church into a fit place to house the memorials to his father and himself. The old church was partially dismantled after its replacement was completed. In 1925 the chancel and north chapel was restored by the 7th Earl Fitzwilliam. The top portion of the tower of the old church fell during a gale in 1962. Monuments to the Wentworth family are found inside the church and the graves of a number of estate servants can be seen in the churchyard. It is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. It is locked up except for special open days, although there is a keyholder who can let you in. Contact 01904 620749 (2005).
The Rockingham Arms, Wentworth
The Rockingham Arms is a very popular alehouse and restaurant. There is also accommodation available in the annexe over the road.
Wentworth Village Hall previously called the Mechanics Institute
Mechanics Institutes were built in the 19th Century for working men to either start or improve their education. The institute in Wentworth was built in 1835 and now functions as a village hall. Now it is called a village hall though that is hardly as distinctive as the name Mechanics Institute as every village has a village hall.
Paradise Square, Wentworth
A typical example of old stone cottages at Wentworth. Property owned by Fitzwilliam Estates has dark green paintwork.
