Wentworth's Diamond days in the spotlight

Black Diamonds, the book that revealed the untold story of Wentworth Woodhouse, is the inspiration for a new tour planned to give visitors fresh insight into the mansion’s history once the all-clear for reopening is given.

Author Catherine Bailey wrote the best-seller in 2007 to highlight the plight of “England’s forgotten palace”, and has again put pen to paper to create the Black Diamonds Tour for the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust,

The tour will take in previously-unseen areas of the Big House, detailing life above and below stairs.

Catherine returned to Wentworth Woodhouse pre-lockdown and walked through the rooms featured in her pages to create a pathway for the tour.

“Catherine is passionate about the house and telling its story and was very excited to be involved,” said WPT’s visitor operations manager, Jen Booth.

“Her script brings to life the tasks of the servants, from preparing feasts for the Earls’ house parties to the daily drudgery of carrying bathwater along endless corridors.

“The tour also focuses on the Rockinghams and Fitzwilliams and the splendour they lived in, with visits to the George IV Suite in the South Wing, where The Prince of Wales, destined to be George IV stayed.

 The suite was later occupied by Princess Victoria and her mother the Duchess of Kent, and King George V and Queen Mary.

“The suite’s Blue Bedroom, Crimson Velvet Rooms and Green Bedroom have never previously been seen by the public and are certain to be a highlight.”