Full Breakdown
Burglary at Baddesley Clinton Leads to Theft of 25 Historic Antiques
8/11/2026, 5:57:48 AM
The Incident
On July 30, thieves broke into the National Trust’s 16th-century manor house at Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire. The break-in was discovered at about 01:50 BST, prompting the temporary closure of the property to visitors. Police investigations recorded the theft of 25 items comprising silver, pewter and brass artefacts, including a Georgian silver salver engraved with the Ferrers family coat of arms. The National Trust released photographs of several stolen pieces, such as a silver stirrup cup, a pair of silver candelabra and an ornate brass alms dish.
Historic Context of Baddesley Clinton
Baddesley Clinton, a moated manor built in the late 1500s, is renowned for its priest holes and secret hiding places used to shelter persecuted Catholics during the 1590s. The Ferrers family occupied the house for roughly five centuries, and the estate’s collection reflects that long lineage. Among the stolen objects, the salver bears the mark of Dorothy Mills, one of the few registered female silversmiths of the 18th century, underscoring its rarity.
Items Stolen and Their Significance
The most notable loss is the Georgian silver salver dated 1753, engraved with the Ferrers arms and marked by Mills. Other missing pieces include an Italian silver fox-mask stirrup cup, a brass alms dish dating to the 16th century, and a pair of silver candelabra. The National Trust noted that the distinctive markings on the salver could enable identification if it appears for sale, and that the artefacts collectively help tell the story of the Ferrers family and the manor’s heritage.
National Trust Response and Police Involvement
Ann Ryan, operations manager for Baddesley Clinton, described the burglary as “very upsetting” for staff and volunteers and thanked the public for supportive messages on social media. The Trust emphasized that it takes such incidents seriously, is reviewing security arrangements, and is working closely with Warwickshire Police. The police have been asked to be contacted with any information, referencing crime number 23/33844/26.
Ongoing Efforts and Public Appeal
The National Trust continues to urge anyone with knowledge of the stolen items to contact Warwickshire Police on 101. By publicizing photographs and highlighting the unique identifiers of the missing pieces, the organization hopes the artefacts will be recovered and returned to the public collection.
