Despite its name Wentworth Castle is a large country house rather than a former fortification. Thomas Wentworth, the 1st Earl of Strafford, built it in 1709 to rival the house of his cousin at nearby Wentworth Woodhouse. The two families were by this time bitter enemies and no expense was spared in the creation of the โCastleโ. Descendants of the family lived at the property until the 1940โs but in 1948 the house was sold and most of its contents were auctioned off. Today the house is used as a college and can only be visited on a Sunday throughout the summer months. The gardens are open all year round and are looked after by the Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust. Admission to the gardens costs ยฃ2.50 (3 Euros) per person and the cost of the house tour is an additional ยฃ2.50 (3 Euros) per person. A separate car-parking fee applies. There are limited spaces on each house tour and pre-booking is recommended. There are over 500 acres of gardens and historic parkland that can be easily explored via the 3km long Monument Trail, a circular route on good quality footpaths that are suitable for wheelchair users. This trail opened in 2008 and was partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Other more difficult trails are also available. Wentworth Castle is located close to the village of Stainborough, 6km to the south west of Barnsley in South Yorkshire. It is accessed by car from Stainborough village via Lowe Lane along which a bus runs, although visitors arriving via public transport will need to undertake a 10-15 minute uphill walk from the nearest bus stop.