The Duke of Somerset's family has weathered financial storms that would have sunk many aristocratic dynasties, including a devastating death duty bill in 1954 that claimed over three-quarters of their West Country estate's value. For decades, the Seymours have managed their affairs quietly, maintaining good relations with tenants and the local community. However, a sudden and dramatic event just before Christmas has thrown that harmonious existence into question and sparked significant local unrest.
Award-Winning Pub Abruptly Locked Down
The focus of the controversy is The Bradley Hare, a 12-bedroom establishment situated on the Duke's 3,400-acre Wiltshire estate in the village of Maiden Bradley. Formerly known as The Somerset Arms, the pub underwent a dazzling transformation and reopened in 2021 under the guidance of Soho House design director James Thurstan Waterworth and hospitality entrepreneur Andrew Kelly. It was promptly named the best pub in Wiltshire at the National Pub & Bar Awards, winning praise from metropolitan critics for its stylish, curated interior described as a 'delectable little weekend bolthole'.
The venture also had the backing of Sebastian, Lord Seymour, the 43-year-old son and heir of the 19th Duke. Sebastian, who now runs the estate from the family seat, Bradley House, spoke at the launch about wanting to create the quintessential country inn. He revealed the branding colours were inspired by a dress worn by Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife, linking the business to the family's storied history.
Staff Locked Out and Left Unpaid Before Christmas
This promising chapter came to a crashing halt in the run-up to Christmas. According to local sources, the pub was shut overnight without warning. Staff already inside the building were removed, and others arriving for their shifts found themselves locked out. Notices and red tape were slapped across all three entrance doors, where they have remained ever since.
The situation for employees worsened significantly. A local source revealed the closure happened just before pay-day, and none of the staff have been paid since the sudden shutdown. This has fuelled considerable anger within the community, where rumours are now rife about the cause of the closure.
Rumours of a Dispute and Shifting Local Sentiment
While neither Lord Seymour nor business partner Andrew Kelly responded to requests for comment, locals point to a falling out between the two men. One local insisted the closure stemmed from a disagreement between the business owner [Kelly] and the building owner [Lord Seymour].
The incident appears to be affecting the family's standing. The community had previously appreciated gestures like the Duke gifting his walled garden for a community allotment. However, sentiments are shifting. "People feel differently about the person who now runs the estate," a local noted, indicating a change in perception towards Sebastian, Lord Seymour.
Speculation suggests his lordship may be distracted by personal matters, as his second wife, Poppy, is reportedly expecting their first child. Meanwhile, the future of The Bradley Hare, once a beacon of rural hospitality, remains uncertain behind its barred doors.
