The owner of the historic UK estate featured in ‘Saltburn’ complains of trespassers and influencers

The tranquility of Drayton House, in England’s Northamptonshire countryside, has been shattered by a Hollywood frenzy — leaving its owner Charles Stopford Sackville grappling with an unexpected invasion of privacy.

Emerald Fennell’s buzzy dark-humor film, “Saltburn” prominently features this 700-year-old estate and has thrust it into the limelight, but not without consequences.

Stopford Sackville, speaking exclusively to the Mail on Sunday, revealed the relentless onslaught of trespassers seeking their 15 minutes of fame, prompting him to deploy staff to patrol the grounds and fend off eager intruders.

“I never envisaged the amount of interest there would be. It’s quite weird,” he told the outlet. “I don’t take it as flattering. How would you feel if people were taking pictures outside your house?”

The Grade I-listed Drayton House, steeped in history since its construction around 1328, has become a hotspot for curious onlookers — with more than 50 trespassers recently caught straying off the designated footpath, much to Stopford Sackville’s dismay.

“Most people are fairly good, but some get a bit inquisitive, let’s say,” he said.

Despite its private nature, the allure of “Saltburn” has proven irresistible to many, with TikTok users flocking to film themselves dancing in front of the estate to the tune of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” paying homage to a scene in the film featuring Barry Keoghan in a daring display of nudity.

https://www.tiktok.com/@be_better_known/video/7319482680066805024?_t=8kD8GoLW9vf&_r=1

Rhian Williams, a TikTok influencer whose videos directing viewers to the estate’s footpath have garnered more than 5.6 million views, expressed regret over the trespassing epidemic, emphasizing the importance of respecting the countryside while acknowledging the film’s role in showcasing Northamptonshire’s hidden gems.

“It’s such a shame that people are trespassing as there is a public footpath through the estate that everyone should stick to if they want to visit,” she told the BBC.

“I do think it’s important that younger generations, like so many who have enjoyed the ‘Saltburn’ movie, are encouraged to walk in the countryside and get fresh air, and it’s brilliant to see such a hidden corner of our beautiful Northamptonshire in such a major film like ‘Saltburn.’”

This 127-room private residence has remained under the same family’s ownership since the 18th century.

“Saltburn,” which follows the twisted escapades of Oxford University student Oliver and his wealthy friend Felix (Jacob Elordi), has captivated audiences worldwide, but its production has not been without controversy.

Vanity Fair reported strict confidentiality surrounding the estate’s identity, a pact shattered by Tatler Magazine’s astute identification of the Drayton House before film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival.