Big crowds as Wentworth Woodhouse opens its gates to public: VIDEO

THOUSANDS of visitors flocked to historic Wentworth Woodhouse as the public got their first chance to frolic on its front lawn for almost a century.

An estimated 6,000 curious locals joined classic car fans from across the UK for the first Wentworth Vintage Vehicle Rally on Sunday and the Grade I Listed property’s owners were among the beaming faces at the sun-blessed event.

Retired architect Clifford Newbold welcomed the crowds to his family home in the first part of a plan to revive the Grade I Listed property as a hotel spa and museum.

Proceeds from the weekend’s show and a series of house tours set to get underway in the coming months will be pooled into a fund the Newbold family’s £100 million claim for compensation from the coal board.

The family believe that extensive mining compromised Wentworth Woodhouse’s foundations, causing severe subsidence.

Costly repair work is needed before plans to transform the stately home into a hotel spa, museum and offices can be realised.

To register an interest in a tour of Wentworth Woodhouse contact tour operator Dawn Smith on 07904 459 2897 or via email to [email protected]

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