Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust was established in 2002, through the endeavours of its partners the Northern College and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, who agreed to transfer management of the heritage assets in their ownership to the Trust. In 2004 the wider landscape transferred to the Trust from the Vernon-Wentworth trustees, in lieu of Capital Taxes.

The Trust has a remit to: "undertake a phased programme of restoration and development works, which will provide benefit to the general public by providing extensive access to the parkland and gardens and the built heritage and by conserving these important heritage assets for future generations". 

Generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, together with support from Northern College, BMBC, English Heritage and a growing number of other funding organisations (see Partners for full details) has put the Trust in a position to undertake the first Phase of its restoration plans and to develop the estate as a major visitor attraction, and an important educational resource for the community.