Just a Posh Mining Village

 

A day trip from Sheffield, (we stayed about hour and a half due to the biting cold), and you reach Wentworth Woodhouse in the Borough of Rotherham.

Was this house an inspiration for Pembery in 'Pride and Prejudice'?  There is no evidence that Jane Austin visited the house, but Fitzwilliam (the family name) does appear, and we know of Frederick Wentworth from Persuasion, and indeed Emma's own surname is Woodhouse.

The story begins with the demolition of a Jacobean Mansion and construction of the West Wing.  

The West Wing

Apparently a little family rivalry, and changes in architectural taste amongst the Whigs lead to construction of the 'extension', or East Wing.  This happens to be reputed to be the longest Georgian facade in Europe.  The result is a northern 'Back to Back' terrace, with the facade comprising of three stately homes, each quite sufficient in themselves (would you not say?)

East Wing

Where did the money come from?  This family were 'oil (or rather coal) barons'. Their land sat on the lucrative 'Barnsley Coal Seam'.  Famously in 1946 the Labour government gave permission for the grounds of the house to be ripped up to get at the remains of the coal, which was only 100 feet below the surface. 

Was this the vulnerable post-war nation drawing on valuable assets, or the 'class' tables turning, and an opportunity to reenact the 'Battle of the Somme'?  The Wikipedia site has an ominous photo of the battle raging meters from the great facade.  What would these warriors have said if they now knew that the house and grounds belong to the people of Rotherham?  The enemy soon crumbled through a combination of tragedy (plane crash) and poverty.  The place now is rather down-at-heal.  It was turned down by the National Trust, and is currently covered in scaffolding.  

Other curiosities to be seen are 'The Eye of the Needle'.  Some rich man knows his bible, and certain has found a way to ensure his entry to heaven.

The Eye of the Needle

View from Park Hill over the valley to Upperthorpe

The First Interfaith Tree-
What a great tree-  'Hang on in there'.