Sir Ranulph Fiennes is believed to have returned to his secluded farm in Shropshire, according to information obtained by Our News Outlet.
The property is concealed behind a 6ft-high industrial-style security gate. Two modular homes—one intended for Sir Ranulph and the other for his carer—were installed close to the main residence last week.
The development comes amid growing speculation over the whereabouts of the world’s greatest living explorer, who has not been seen in public for two years.
Sir Ranulph, 82, has Parkinson’s disease and has been moved between a series of facilities by his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, now Lady Fiennes. His identity was reportedly concealed under an alias in an effort to prevent friends from visiting him.
At one London establishment, visitors were required to sign non-disclosure agreements. At another facility in Wales, staff were instructed to prevent him from socialising with other residents and to have him wear a disguise when leaving his room.
Last week, the owner of the Welsh care home described the restrictions allegedly imposed by Sir Ranulph’s wife, saying: ‘I wouldn’t do that to an animal. Never mind Sir Ranulph Fiennes.’
His situation has prompted an outcry among several celebrity friends, including fellow adventurers Bear Grylls and Ben Fogle, who have urged police to investigate.
However, in Cheshire, where Sir Ranulph was most recently staying at a care home in Crewe, police said that ‘no immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time’. The constabulary added that ‘any new information received will be assessed and considered through the appropriate multi-agency arrangements’.
Growing concern: Sir Ranulph Fiennes has not been seen in public for two years
A frail Sir Ranulph appears to walk with a frame through what looks like a stable or barn, while his wife stands beside him directing him. The video is believed to have been filmed at his home in Cheshire
The Crewe care home was one of four facilities, as well as a hotel, to which Sir Ranulph was moved during the past year. News that he may now be back at his Shropshire property is unlikely to reassure those who know and care for him, amid concerns that there will no longer be ‘outside eyes on him’.
His reported whereabouts were revealed by Michael Kobold, a friend of more than 30 years, after a source contacted him upon seeing the new accommodation being installed.
‘Louise [Lady Fiennes] told the source that her husband had a car accident, which was why he was in a wheelchair,’ Mr Kobold said.
He said the secrecy surrounding Sir Ranulph extended further. ‘She also introduced his carer as the blacksmith for the horses,’ he added.
The explorer’s disappearance has continued to prompt troubling and unusual revelations. His Shropshire farmhouse was where his stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, 31, last saw him in September 2024.
Alex said he had to climb over the gate because he no longer had a key, having 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 of his first wife, Ginny Fiennes, from cancer in 2004.
‘I’d only gone about 100m or so, and… there was Ran,’ Alex said recently. ‘He immediately grabbed me by the arm, swung me around and walked back down towards the drive.
‘I told him how difficult things had been, and he said: “Every family has its problems.” Then he pulled me into a hug and told me how proud he was of me.’
Mr Millington-Cotes began walking back with him but stopped after seeing his mother. He has called for her lasting power of attorney over her husband’s property, financial affairs, health and welfare to be removed.
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 Our News Outlet 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.
