Priceless paintings by Reynolds, van Dyck, and Mytens, are at the centre of a new, child-friendly exhibition here at Wentworth Woodhouse. Open until Sunday 16th November, the House of Fun: Parties, Play, and Portraits transforms the Grade I listed mansion into just that, a House of Fun, with a play-focused, interactive theme throughout and activities co-designed by Rotherham’s young people.
Funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the exhibition is part of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s ongoing involvement in Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 programme that aims to put the fun into learning about history and art.
Once owned by Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, six works by van Dyck (dating from the 1600s) have returned to Wentworth Woodhouse for the first time since the 1940s thanks to a loan from a private English collection. They include a portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria, gifted to Strafford by her husband, King Charles I – though Strafford’s loyalty to Charles eventually lost him his head in 1641. A further portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, features Charles, the 2nd Marquess Rockingham.
Families are urged to bring children to learn about the intriguing stories hidden within the paintings and explore contemporary sculptures such as Pippa Hale’s Friendship Follies, created with looked-after Rotherham children – a huge hang-out den that reinterprets Wentworth’s Rockingham Monument. Final Boss, a showpiece inflatable art installation created by Nottingham artist, Bruce Asbestos, occupies the Marble Saloon. Workshops and events for both children and the young-at-heart will also be held throughout the House of Fun Season, including an adults only silent disco, a drumming workshop, and Garden craft sessions.
WWPT’s CoCC Trainee Producer of Culture Becky Foster (centre) with House of Fun exhibit Final Boss and the giant cake’s creator, artist Bruce Asbestos, artist Pippa Hale and Jen Booth, WWPT’s Exhibition & Interpretation Manager
Mayor of Rotherham Cllr Rukhsana Ismail and Mayoress Kaukab Amjid with Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s Head of Culture & Engagement, Victoria Ryves
Leanne Buchan, RMBC Head of Creative Programming and Engagement; Helen Jones, Flux Rotherham; Lisa Howarth, Head of Rotherham Museums, Arts & Heritage; Ellie Coldwell, RMBC Museums; Chris Siddall RMBC’s Head of Sport
Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s Head of Culture & Engagement Victoria Ryves and Jen Booth, Exhibition & Interpretation Manager
WWPT’s Trainee Producer of Culture Becky Foster with exhibition visitors Emma Wydell, Doreen Oldknow and Marcus Shackleton
RMBC Children’s Capital of Culture Heritage Producers Lily Whittaker, Rhianna Wilkinson, Beth Richardson, Georgina Jones, Harry Wright. Heritage Producers are organising events and activities that celebrate the cultural heritage of their local wards
Tim Knox, Director of the Royal Collection, with visitors Joe Beard and children Johnny & Edie, and Jackie Dale, representative of the private collection loaning the Old Masters to Wentworth Woodhouse
Government Indemnity, arranged by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, and Arts Council England, has made the exhibition possible.