The last addition at Wentworth Garden Centre was the large explorer ship complete with climbing walls, cargo nets and slides, that was installed in 2020.
The destination garden centre, which already attracts over 400,000 visitors a year, is situated in 16 acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque Rotherham village of Wentworth.
The family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre, family farm and restaurants, The Walled Garden and The Bothy.
A planning application has now been submitted for a 1,900 sq m (20,000 sq ft) grassed area accessed through the family farm, through an existing doorway in the wall that surrounds the garden centre.
Earth Wrights Ltd, a leading company specialising in the design and build of inspirational play spaces and equipment, has been brought in to help create the new play area.
Play equipment proposed for Wentworth include log swings, tunnels and towers, sand play, climbing clusters, wooden play huts and a zip wire.
The application states: "The two outside children play areas are oversubscribed for the facilities available. In addition the nature of children’s play areas has evolved over the years from conventional static equipment in an almost formal setting, to instead creating a more natural setting. The Directors of Wentworth Garden Centre have recognised this shift in philosophy and have teamed up with Earth Wrights Limited who create play areas with clear, focused goals:
─ ‘exploratory’ play where children can investigate their physical surroundings
─ ‘physical’ play where children can indulge in activities that “challenge their minds and bodies”
─ ‘social’ play where children are encouraged to make friends, co-operate in activities and play together
─ ‘loose part’ play where spaces are created to encourage children to collect objects and make things
─ ‘imaginative’ play allowing children to “create their own worlds” in a flexible play environment
─ quiet play for children to be still in areas for sitting and take a break from active play.
"The current play areas do not allow for creating an environment that combines these elements of play. They are too small in area (730m²) and are located as part of the wider garden centre retail area. (By comparison, Tong Garden Centre some 23 miles away at Bradford, has a 4,000m² childrens play area).
"The current situation is not ideal if childrens play is to be seen as something more than a ‘distraction’ whilst the parents and guardians are shopping. If the play facility to be offered at WGC is to be something which combines some or all of the above child development goals then it needs to be located away from the busy retail areas and instead be located in a self-contained area with no external distractions."
Follow Visit Rotherham to find out if plans are approved and when it is likely to open.
Wentworth Garden Centre website
Images: Earth Wrights Ltd / Wentworth Garden Centre
Socials