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Poldark's 'iconic home' in Cornwall fallen into 'complete disrepair'

Botallack Manor in Cornwall has fallen into “complete disrepair”, campaigners say. - Kevin Hughes
Botallack Manor in Cornwall has fallen into “complete disrepair”, campaigners say. - Kevin Hughes

An “iconic” manor house used in the 1970s adaptation of Poldark has fallen into “complete disrepair”, campaigners say.

Botallack Manor in Cornwall was the home of Ross Poldark, played by Robin Ellis.

Thought to have been built in the early 1660s, the manor house has stood empty since 2013 after a long-running Bed & Breakfast closed down.

Now, with a damaged roof and barricaded doors and windows, the home looks more like the “inside of a warzone”, according to Kevin Hughes, who launched the Save Botallack Manor campaign.

“It's a really, really old, iconic building and to see it boarded up and in a state of complete disrepair, completely uninhabitable, is just really sad,” Mr Hughes told The Telegraph.

“It's a really derelict, awful looking building at the moment, in a really sorry state, in the jewel of what is West Cornwall.”

The inside of the manor is strewn with rubbish - Kevin Hughes
The inside of the manor is strewn with rubbish - Kevin Hughes
Thought to have been built in the early 1660s, the manor house has stood empty since 2013 after a long-running Bed & Breakfast closed down.  - Kevin Hughes
Thought to have been built in the early 1660s, the manor house has stood empty since 2013 after a long-running Bed & Breakfast closed down. - Kevin Hughes

The Grade II* listed manor, owned by Tregothnan estate, was due to be refurbished but was delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The estate said it has appointed a “specialist project team” to work with Historic England and the Local Authority on the refurbishment.

“The requisite planning and listed building consents are now in place but works were unable to progress earlier this year due to lockdown and unfortunately the Manor House was subsequently broken into and vandalised and this has now been compounded by storm damage,” the estate said in a statement.

“Tregothnan have secured the property and are undertaking emergency repairs to prevent further deterioration including removing the windows to be restored by the Estate’s own traditional joiners.”

The refurbishment is now expected to begin next year.

Robin Ellis starring in the classic BBC series Poldark, first screened in 1975. - PA
Robin Ellis starring in the classic BBC series Poldark, first screened in 1975. - PA

Mr Hughes contacted Mr Ellis, who starred in the BBC classic series for 29 episodes, to inform him of the manor’s plight.

In a statement Mr Ellis said he had “great memories” of Botallack Manor. "It is a great place to be centred at, to see that part of deep Cornwall, right at the end of the peninsula," he said. "Let's hope something can be done about it."