Grand Grade-I Listed Building Acquired By Preservation Trust

The future of England’s largest privately owned home has been secured following a multi-million pound deal which has been advised on by law firm Irwin Mitchell.

Located near Rotherham in South Yorkshire and built by the Marquesses of Rockingham between 1725 and 1750, Wentworth Woodhouse is believed to have more than 300 rooms and the longest facade of any country house in Europe. Its run of state rooms behind the east front is considered to be one of the finest early 18th-century interiors in England.

Following the award of a £3.5m grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) has been able to complete the purchase of the house and the surrounding grounds of 83 acres for a total of £7m.

The sale will open a new chapter in the story of the house.  In 2013 the total cost of repairs to Wentworth Woodhouse was estimated at £42m and following the sale, there will now be a public appeal to help raise money towards this cost. The Trust has also announced that parts of Wentworth Woodhouse will continue to be open to public while phased repairs continue.

As well as welcoming visitors to the richly decorated rooms in the house, WWPT’s longer-term plans include restoring the gardens with the help of volunteers and attracting local businesses to work in offices to be created in the stables.

Julie Kenny, the Chair of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, said: “This is the culmination of five years very hard work and has been made possible by the support of many different charities, government bodies and individuals, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is great news for the people of Rotherham and for everyone who cares about historic buildings.”

Chief Executive of NHMF, Ros Kerslake said: ‘Wentworth Woodhouse is an incredibly important piece of our national heritage, which is why the trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund agreed £3.5m funding that has now helped secure its future for the nation. As well as ensuring the house and grounds are open to the public, the Trust’s ambitious plans will create jobs, apprenticeships, training and volunteering opportunities for many years to come.”

Tracey Crouch, Heritage Minister, added: “The UK’s heritage is world renowned for its unique variety and Wentworth Woodhouse is a fantastic example of our historic architecture that deserves to be protected for the future.  This Government funding will not only help preserve the building for visitors to enjoy, but it will also be a vital link in the community, creating a business hub and jobs that will benefit the local area”.

Irwin Mitchell advised the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust on the corporate, charity law and real estate aspects of the transaction, which was made possible by funding from a variety of sources.

Expert Opinion

“This is an important deal for South Yorkshire and safeguards the future of one of England’s grandest homes following years of uncertainty and decline. We are delighted to have been involved in helping WWPT complete this purchase, particularly as it represents such a key milestone in the long history of the house and is vital in moving forward the future redevelopment of Wentworth Woodhouse.” Laurence Gavin - Partner