Sir Ranulph Fiennes is believed to have returned to his secluded Shropshire farm, the Daily Mail understands.
The property sits behind a six-foot-high “industrial” security gate. Two prefabricated homes—one intended for Sir Ranulph and another for his carer—were installed close to the main house last week.
The development comes amid growing concern over the whereabouts of the 82-year-old explorer, who has not been seen in public for approximately two years.
Sir Ranulph, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, has reportedly been moved between several care facilities by his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, now known as Lady Fiennes. His name was allegedly concealed behind an alias in an effort to prevent friends from visiting him.
At one London facility, visitors were said to have been required to sign confidentiality agreements. At a separate home in Wales, staff were reportedly instructed to stop him socialising with fellow residents and to have him disguise himself when leaving his room.
The owner of the Welsh care home described the restrictions attributed to Sir Ranulph’s wife last week, saying: “I wouldn’t do that to an animal. Never mind Sir Ranulph Fiennes.”
The allegations have prompted an angry response from several of the explorer’s famous friends, including fellow adventurers Bear Grylls and Ben Fogle, who urged police to examine the circumstances.
However, Cheshire police, where Sir Ranulph was most recently staying at a care home in Crewe, said that “no immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time”. The force added that any further information would be reviewed through the “appropriate multi-agency arrangements”.
Growing concern: Sir Ranulph Fiennes has not appeared in public for two years
Frail appearance: Sir Ranulph is seen using a walking frame in what appears to be a stable or barn, while his wife stands beside him giving directions. The footage is believed to have been filmed at his Cheshire home
The Crewe care home was reportedly the fourth facility—and one of five locations, including a hotel—to which Sir Ranulph had been taken within the past year. News that he may now be back in Shropshire is unlikely to reassure those close to him, who fear there will no longer be independent “outside eyes on him”.
His reported return was revealed by Michael Kobold, a friend of more than three decades, after a source contacted him on seeing the new accommodation being constructed at the farm.
Mr Kobold said Lady Fiennes told the source that her husband had been confined to a wheelchair because of a car accident.
According to Mr Kobold, the secrecy extended further. He said Lady Fiennes introduced Sir Ranulph’s carer as someone who worked as a blacksmith for the horses.
The latest claims add another unexpected chapter to the mystery surrounding Sir Ranulph’s disappearance from public life. His Shropshire farmhouse was the last place where his stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, 31, saw him, in September 2024.
Alex said he had to climb over the security gate because he no longer possessed a key. He had become estranged from his mother, Sir Ranulph’s second wife, who is 23 years younger than the explorer.
A horse trainer from Cheshire, she married Sir Ranulph in 2005, following the death from cancer of his first wife, Ginny Fiennes, in 2004.
Recalling their encounter, Alex said he had walked roughly 100 metres before seeing Sir Ranulph. The explorer immediately took him by the arm, turned him around and began walking with him towards the driveway.
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Alex said he explained how difficult the family situation had become. Sir Ranulph replied, “Every family has its problems,” before embracing him and telling him how proud he was.
Mr Millington-Cotes walked back alongside him but stopped when he saw his mother. He has since called for Lady Fiennes to lose her lasting power of attorney over Sir Ranulph’s property, finances, health and welfare.
The Office of the Public Guardian, which exists to protect the elderly and vulnerable from being exploited by those who have power of attorney, has reportedly rejected nine complaints to intervene, saying the case is beyond its remit.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his wife Lady Louise, after returning to Britain following a failed attempt to climb Everest
In another development, footage has emerged of Sir Ranulph for the first time since concerns were raised.
The clip shows a frail Sir Ranulph in chinos and a blue jacket walking in what looks like a stable or barn with his wife at his side directing him. It is believed the video was shot in his Cheshire home.
She tells him: ‘Stand up straight, that’s it, walk between the wheels, nice and straight.’
Then she sings ‘heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to work we go’ from Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. As the clip ends, Lady Fiennes can be heard saying again: ‘That’s it, stand up straight, back up. There we go. Do not hit anything.’
The video was posted yesterday by Mr Kobold. He also added an image showing him sitting in an armchair wearing a woolly hat and covered by a blanket, holding what looked like a bed pan.
He wrote on social media: ‘Sir Ranulph Fiennes, broken and frail, after two years of strict isolation. It’s a national disgrace: How can the system fail so egregiously that even a national treasure like Ran Fiennes can experience such mistreatment?’
Mr Kobold – who with Sir Ranulph climbed Mount Everest almost 20 years ago – launched his attack after the Daily Mail spoke to the Welsh care home boss where the explorer had been living.
The manager told how he had contacted police and the Office of the Public Guardian in March to raise his concerns. But before any action could be taken, Sir Ranulph was moved.
There is no suggestion Lady Fiennes has done anything wrong, but the Care Inspectorate of Wales found her husband was being unlawfully ‘deprived of his liberty’ because she didn’t have the authorisation which covered his residence.
It has also now emerged that King Charles has taken an interest in the case as Sir Ranulph is a close personal friend.
The King’s equerry was reportedly told to ‘back off’ when he contacted Lady Fiennes.
Considering the concerns that have been raised over his care, it will hardly be a source of comfort to know he’s back home.
READ MORE: Police say they are ‘satisfied’ Sir Ranulph Fiennes is ‘living in an appropriate setting’ after friends raise fears for his welfare
Additional Reporting: Tim Stewart and Nick Pisa.