Campaigners are fighting to restore an iconic but derelict manor house that was the original home of Poldark, writes Tom Bevan.

Botallack Manor was used as the site for Ross Poldark's home, Nampara, in the 1975 TV adaptation of Winston Graham's novels, starring Robin Ellis.

Aidan Turner went on to reprise the role recently in the newer BBC adaption, between 2015 and 2019.  

But the Grade II* listed manor has been in a state of "complete disrepair" for the past nine years.

Permission to refurbish the historic Cornish property was granted but work was delayed due to lockdown.

Current owners Tregothnan Estate said further damage has since been caused by a combination of vandals and heavy storms.

The estate said it had been consulting with Cornwall Council and English Heritage on appropriate plans and was planning a "full refurbishment" next year.

Currently all windows are bordered up and there is significant visible damage to the roof.

And the condition of the property is so bad campaigners say the inside of of the home now "resembles a war-zone."

A spokesperson for the Tregothnan Estate said Covid-19 had delayed its plans to bring it back to its former glory - but they were still committed to the work.

They said: "Since the previous long standing tenants vacated Botallack Manor, the Tregothnan Estate have appointed a specialist project team to liaise with the local authority and English Heritage to agree a specification and scope to refurbish this important and historic property.

"The requisite planning and listed building consents are now in place but works were unable to progress earlier this year due to lockdown and unfortunately the manor house was subsequently broken into and vandalised.

"This has now been compounded by storm damage.

"Tregothnan have secured the property and are undertaking emergency repairs to prevent further deterioration including removing the windows to be restored by the estate's own traditional joiners.

"It is planned that the refurbishment project will now commence in 2021."

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Kevin Hughes, who is leading the campaign to have it restored, said it had come to look "like the inside of a warzone".

He said it had come to be in a "really bad way" after its long-term tenancy as a B&B came to an end.

He described it as an "absolutely unique" property, which has two engravings dating it to 1665 and 1688.

He said "the Poldark effect" had attracted messages of concern from people in the US, Australia and the Philippines.

He added: "I was quite upset when I saw it, to see it in the state that it's in.

"I came out of there, and I would say I was shaken.

"It's an iconic image, I just think things like this need to be looked after."

The original Poldark star Robin Ellis told the BBC he was supporting the campaign.

He said he had "great memories" of the manor, and described it as "wonderful, historic building" set in a "magnificent setting".

He added: ""It is a great place to be centred at, to see that part of deep Cornwall, right at the end of the peninsula.

"Lets hope something can be done about it."