FRIENDS OF WORTLEY HALL GARDENS

South Yorkshire’s Wortley Hall and Gardens are steeped in history, its earliest recording being Alnus de Wortley, mentioned in the pipe Rolls for 1165. Over the years, the hall and gardens have fallen into decay until the 18th century, when Edward Wortley commissioned the rebuilding of the hall in 1800 and James Archibald Stuart Wortley and his wife Caroline Creighton took up residence.

The planning, landscaping, ornamental planting and the ultimate beauty of the current grounds are attributed to Lady Caroline. After the Second World War the Hall once again began to fall into a state of disrepair and in 1950, The Wharncliffe family decided to give up the hall. On 5th May 1951 Wortley Hall was formally opened as an educational and holiday centre, for the Trade Union, Labour and Co-Operative movement. It was in a semi-derelict condition and the workers of South Yorkshire and surrounding areas carried out most of the repairs and restoration voluntarily. Today, Wortley Hall is now a company in its own right and is still a member of the Co-operative Union.

Any operating surplus is spent on the maintenance and upkeep of the Hall. After considerable neglect of the gardens, The Friends of Wortley Hall Gardens group was set up for people interested in gardening who would like to donate their time to restoring and maintaining these historic gardens. Today, the Hall has 3 gardeners but does rely on the support of volunteers to maintain and restore the gardens. The Friends of Wortley Hall and Gardens have monthly meetings with talks and discussions about gardening and the environment. We have gardening trips, plant exchanges and social get-togethers too. Helping in the garden is optional!

So come and join us in supporting a Lovely South Yorkshire Garden