Wentworth, a village in South Yorkshire, has been described as the UK's "strictest" after banning takeaways and vape shops to preserve its peaceful character. The tiny community, part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham, is often said by visitors to feel like stepping back in time, thanks to its quaint cottages and the absence of fast-food outlets and vaping stores.
Rules enforced by the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust
The village's immaculate appearance is maintained by the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust, chaired by Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland Bt, a descendant of the Fitzwilliam dynasty. The trust states that its "principal objective is to conserve these assets and preserve and improve the rural and visual character and amenities of the Parish."
Strict guidance prevents supermarket chains from opening in the village, and neon signs are banned outright. The trust's website explains that the estate "maintains the vernacular character of the village and its surroundings by sympathetic use of traditional methods and materials."
Local amenities and strict home rules
Despite the restrictions, residents can enjoy a village shop, two pubs, and a cafe, serving the area's 1,400 or so residents as of the 2011 census. However, there is only one hairdresser in the village.
Residents must follow detailed rules about their homes. Front doors can only be painted in a distinctive Hollybush Green, a rule that generally extends to drainpipes and gates, while window frames must be off-white. Most residents are tenants of the trust, which rents out the majority of the village's properties.
Historic buildings and resident loyalty
Wentworth is also home to Wentworth Woodhouse, a sprawling country house that served local elites for centuries. It is now owned by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and is undergoing restoration.
Eric Jones, 85, a retired builder who has lived in Wentworth his entire life and in the same house for five decades, told The Sun he "wouldn't live anywhere else." He added: "It is a lovely village, with no takeaways or vape shops, it is like living in the olden days."
