Clandon hall destroyed by fire

An 18th-century mansion featured in the Keira Knightley film The Duchess has been left a “shell” but some of its valuable historical artefacts have been saved following a devastating fire.

Dame Helen Ghosh, director general of the National Trust, which manages Clandon Park in Surrey, said the interior of the Grade I-listed stately home had been left 100% smoke- and fire-damaged.

Only one room within the Palladian mansion near Guildford is believed to have been left relatively untouched by Wednesday’s fire, she said.

Managed by the National Trust since 1956, Clandon Park was built in the 1720s and contains a large collection of 18th-century furniture, porcelain and textiles.

"Just my way of getting through the day, the samaritans were engagged"