The first phase of restoration (2004-08) allowed us to open the majority of the Parkland, Gardens and Monuments to the public, but we hope it will also act as a springboard for future programmes of work as and when funding is available.

Our future plans include restoration works to the:

• Serpentine Lake
• Walled Kitchen Garden

The Kitchen Garden

In addition to the repair of the Conservatory, an opportunity exists to repair the Kitchen Garden at Wentworth Castle. The Garden extends to around 6 acres, and represents a rare surviving example from the early 18th century. The long history of the Garden includes providing fruit and vegetables for the Wentworth family in the 18th and 19th century, soldiers in the Second World War, and local schools. This heritage has been unusually well documented in the archives, and these records are available to inform restoration proposals.

Following years of neglect the Garden is currently in a very poor state of repair and the walls have collapsed in several places. Where repairs have been completed these have tended to use modern materials and are, for the most part, inappropriate.

Restoration proposals include the creation of a Kitchen Garden attraction and function space; repair of the 18th century walls and Orangery; creation of a children's play area for Trust and College users; re-instatement of access from Shed Lane and associated former sawmill buildings; removal of inappropriate 20th century repairs; and development of a retail and visitor facilities with links to the Gardens and Parkland beyond.

The Serpentine

One of the most distinctive ornamental landscape features at Wentworth is the Serpentine Lake, created by William Wentworth, who inherited the estate from his father in 1739. He benefited from the fact that the estate had probably been laid out with avenues and woodland even before his father, Thomas, had devoted himself to elaborating the Gardens and Park. By the mid-18th century, much of Thomas's creation must have seemed old-fashioned but remarkably William did not efface it all – he obviously appreciated the fact that his estate manifested the many-layered interventions of his predecessors. He did, however, create an early and important example of what was to become an essential feature in all major, 18th century landscapes, a Serpentine Lake.

The artificial lake, partly made up by aggregating a series of earlier stew ponds, was designed to give the impression of being a meandering river. Glimpses and open views were offered in sequence, with clumps of oak trees and subtly-modified topography hiding and revealing the 'river', implying its perpetuity.

The repair will involve major engineering works including, repair of the embankment and stone wall along the eastern side to ensure that water can be viewed from the house and gardens; removal of sewerage plant, layers of silt, and invading trees; repair of puddle clay bed and weir outfalls; creation of abstraction boreholes to ensure the Lakes can be filled even in drought conditions; restoration of key views; completion of repairs to the Serpentine Bridge, Tuscan Temple, and Rotunda Temple; and the creation of wildlife habitats including breeding ponds for Great Crested Newts. Work will be carried in close co-operation with archaeologists, water engineers, ecologists and conservation architects.