A group of suspected travellers have been accused of 'destroying' fields adjacent to the prestigious Cliveden House wedding venue in Berkshire, a location steeped in history and favoured by royalty, politicians, and celebrities. The encampment, which local residents fear may become a permanent fixture, has seen dozens of caravans and old vehicles 'dumped' in a field directly opposite the luxurious hotel, where room rates can reach £650 per night.
Residents Describe 'Nightmare' Situation
In the quaint village of Taplow, homeowners living in properties valued around £700,000 report that their lives have descended into 'hell' due to the ongoing activity. They describe the transformed fields as resembling a 'bombsite' or 'scrap yard', with severely churned-up land and a collection of abandoned cars, including even a fire engine. Patrick James, a 56-year-old local, expressed his frustration, stating, 'It's been a mystery how it has ended up like this. We understand travellers are there but it also looks like businesses are being run off the fields.'
Noise and Traffic Complaints Mount
Residents have lodged numerous complaints about vehicles visiting the fields 'at all hours', constant disruptive noise, and the overall unsightly appearance making the area look 'really ugly'. Another anonymous resident added, 'We're all very unhappy. It looks appalling. The noise is a real pain. The traffic is bad, there's often cars queuing out.' The proximity to Cliveden House, a Grade I listed Italianate mansion with stunning views towards Windsor Castle, has heightened concerns about the impact on the venue's exclusive clientele.
Historic Venue's Royal and Celebrity Connections
Cliveden House boasts an illustrious history, having hosted figures from Winston Churchill to Liam Gallagher. Prior to her wedding in 2018, Meghan Markle and her mother spent the night in a suite at the hotel, while the late Queen and Princess Margaret were frequent visitors. More recently, departing BBC star Carol Kirkwood chose it as the perfect backdrop for her private wedding in 2023. The venue, which can cost over £35,000 per day to hire entirely, has also been a favourite for film and television productions, including The Beatles' 'Help' and the series 'Mr Selfridge'.
Council Enforcement Action Underway
Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed that enforcement action is ongoing. Peter Strachan, the council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, stated, 'Following a multi-agency investigation, a closure notice was issued at this site by Thames Valley Police in November 2025. An enforcement notice has also previously been issued to the site owners for breaches of use.' The landowners unsuccessfully appealed this notice, and they must remove all materials and cease unauthorised use by 2 April 2026. The council initially received an enquiry about the alleged change of use from agricultural land to a scrapyard on 3 January 2024.
Local Business and Community Concerns
Business owners in the area have voiced worries that the 'dreadful' appearance of the fields could deter their upscale clientele. A bar manager remarked, 'It's terrible. People are worried about house prices. I know people at Cliveden House are really worried. You're spending all that money and opposite you have a scrap yard and god knows what else going on.' Roger Worthington, vice chairman of Taplow Parish Council, labelled the situation a 'disgrace', noting, 'Various companies operate out of there and it is car scrapping, metal scrapping, burning and god knows what else.'
When approached by the Daily Mail, individuals on the site offered little explanation, with one man living in a caravan speaking limited English and another worker refusing to comment. Residents claim the problematic activity has persisted for well over a year, with no clear end in sight to what they describe as a 'nightmare' scenario affecting their community and the historic prestige of the surrounding area.
