One of Yorkshire’s most treasured historic buildings has just received Europe’s highest honour in cultural heritage.
The beautifully restored Camellia House at Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham has been named a winner of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2025 – the continent’s most prestigious conservation accolade.
Once a derelict ruin on the Heritage at Risk Register, this Grade II listed Georgian building – home to one of the oldest collections of camellias in the Western world – has been brought back to life through an exceptional £5 million restoration led by Donald Insall Associates and the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.
🏆 It is the only UK winner among 30 projects selected from 24 countries across Europe.
Now a vibrant tearoom and heritage venue, the Camellia House stands as a symbol of sustainable restoration, with its historic charm preserved alongside modern eco-conscious upgrades like rainwater harvesting, underfloor heating from ground-source heat pumps, and breathable insulation.
💬 “We’re bursting with pride to see this unique restoration recognised across Europe,” said Sarah McLeod OBE, CEO of the Trust. “This building – and its rare camellias – now have a future rooted in beauty, sustainability and community.”
Built in 1738 as a tea house for Lady Rockingham and extended in 1812 to house exotic camellias imported from China, the Camellia House had been abandoned for over 50 years until its recent revival. It is now a thriving public space that has welcomed over 10,000 visitors since reopening in 2024.
The judges praised the project for its “balanced approach to horticultural, architectural and environmental heritage,” and highlighted its role in revitalising a region affected by economic hardship.
🌿 As one of Yorkshire’s finest examples of conservation-led regeneration, the Camellia House sets a powerful new benchmark for sustainable heritage design – and offers a model for restoring historic garden buildings across the UK.
📍 Plan your visit: www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
