Over-popular attraction

THE first public visits to the UK’s biggest stately home for nearly 20 years have proved so popular that the owners have had to stop taking bookings.

Guided tours of Wentworth Woodhouse, pictured, a grade I listed building with 365 rooms, 1,000 windows and the longest facade in Western Europe will take place on Sunday September 2.

This will be the first time the mansion, near Rotherham has been open to the public since the marriage of the former owner, Wensley Haydon-Baillie in 1994.

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The current owner of the mansion, Clifford Newbold, who bought the massive house for £1.5m more than 10 years ago, agreed to allow visits to coincide with Wentworth village gala.

It is hoped that because of the huge interest more tours can be arranged in the future.

Mr Newbould and his two sons are currently taking legal action against the Coal Authority to try to secure £100m compensation for subsidence damage to the mansion.