Stately home bans 'rude' visitors

The hall dates back to 1240

A stately home in Northumberland has shut its doors on "disgusting and aggressive" visitors.

The 13th Century Bovington Hall, near Belsay, was once the home of the famous Shafto family.

Present owners George Patrick and Sheila Thomson have spent more than £1m redeveloping the 15-acre hall and gardens.

But they are banning walk-in visitors to their rambling home because they say rude visitors are abusing staff.

George Patrick says he has been sworn at

The couple have taken out an advert citing "a decline in attitudes" by some visitors as the reason for the decision.

The advert says: "A decline in attitudes of certain sections of the public are making it impossible for those people genuinely interested in their heritage to benefit from their visits to Bavington Hall.

"Those attitudes are also found to be disappointingly unacceptable to the owners."

Mr Patrick says he and members of staff have been abused and sworn at.

He said: "It is disgusting. We have been treated as though we are dirt."

Bavington Hall is a Grade II listed building, which dates back to 1240.

No-one from English Heritage, which is responsible for historical and listed buildings in England, was available for comment.

Bookings honoured

Admiral George Delaval of Seaton Delaval bought the house and all the surrounding farms in 1716, for £5,000.

Mr Patrick and Ms Thomson spent three years redeveloping the site, adding holiday cottages, a tea room and a craft centre to bring in visitors.

Mr Patrick, 64, who comes from Gosforth, Newcastle, used to run the GAT air charter service at Newcastle Airport, and still owns a catering services company.

The couple say they will still consider applications from groups or organisations keen to visit the hall in the future and will honour all bookings made for this season.