"Wentworth Woodhouse is two C18 houses merging into one another. Incorporated in the earlier of the two are a few remains of a house of c.1630. " (Pevsner 1967, 539). The 17th century building was itself a rebuilding of a medieval manor (English Heritage Registered Parks and Gardens). Wentworth Woodhouse was leased by the Fitzwilliam family in 1948 to Barnsley Education Committee and passed subsequently to Sheffield Polytechnic. The Sheffield Hallam University sold the site in the late 20th century and the hall has subsequently been held by private owners.