Full Breakdown
Burglary at Baddesley Clinton Results in Theft of 25 Historic Antiques
8/11/2026, 2:25:56 AM
The Incident
In the early hours of July 30, thieves broke into Baddesley Clinton, a moated 16th-century manor house in Warwickshire. Police discovered the intrusion at about 01:50 BST, prompting the temporary closure of the house to visitors. A total of 25 objects made of silver, pewter and brass were taken, including a Georgian silver salver bearing the Ferrers family coat of arms and the hallmark of Dorothy Mills, one of the few registered female silversmiths of the 1700s.
Background & Context
Baddesley Clinton, a Grade-I listed property near Rowington, was the historic seat of the Ferrers family from the late 1500s until the National Trust acquired it in 1980. The manor’s priest holes and secret chambers sheltered persecuted Catholics during the 1590s. The house’s gardens have appeared in television productions, including an ITV *Sherlock Holmes* episode (1986) and the BBC’s *Antiques Roadshow* (2016).
The stolen salver, crafted in the 1750s, originally cost about £12—roughly twice a housemaid’s annual wage at the time. The National Trust has said it is the sole example of Mills’s work held in any publicly accessible UK collection.
Data & Statistics
| Item | Material | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Georgian silver salver | Silver (1750s) | Engraved Ferrers arms; Dorothy Mills hallmark; estimated value ? £2,300 |
| Silver stirrup cup | Silver (fox-shaped) | Part of the stolen haul |
| Pair of candelabra | Silver | Included among the 25 items |
| Brass alms dish | Brass (16th century) | Part of the collection |
| Additional pieces | Italian silver, pewter, other brass items | Total of 25 objects removed |
Official Statements & Responses
The National Trust confirmed the theft and emphasized that the distinctive markings on the salver could aid identification if the piece appears for sale. The Trust also stated that it is reviewing security arrangements in coordination with Warwickshire Police.
Warwickshire Police have launched a manhunt and appealed for information, asking anyone with leads to contact the force on 101 and quote crime reference 23/33844/26.
Verbatim Quotes
“This has been a very upsetting incident for our staff and volunteers, and we appreciate the support shared by visitors and members of the public on social media.” — Ann Ryan, operations manager for Baddesley Clinton
What’s Next
Police continue to investigate the burglary and are seeking public assistance to locate the missing artefacts. The manor’s public areas—gardens, parkland, café and shop—remain open while the house itself stays closed pending the outcome of the investigation.
