Atonement film location to close to public

The house at Stokesay Court first opened to the public in 2007

A Victorian house which became famous as the location for the 2007 film Atonement will close to the public at the end of the year.

The house at Stokesay Court in Shropshire was opened up to visitors in the year the film came out, but its owner, Caroline Magnus, said: "It's hard work, I'm not getting any younger."

She said she came to the decision after she broke her ankle 18 months ago.

The grounds would continue to open for special events and fundraising, she said.

Ms Magnus took over the running of Stokesay Court from her aunt in 1995 and said it took her 10 years to renovate it.

The house gained widespread fame when Atonement, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, was shot there and went on to win major awards including an Oscar.

Opening it up to the public had been "fantastic" Ms Magnus said, and had given her the chance to meet lots of people.

But she said when she broke her ankle, she asked herself: "Do I want to do this or do I want to sit and enjoy the house?"

She said she plans to "enjoy it more as a home than a business" from now on and public visits would come to an end at Christmas.