EXHIBIT 23.1 [LETTERHEAD OF CLIFFORD CHANCE] 29 October 1997 Terra Nova Insurance (UK) Holdings plc Terra Nova House Mincing Lane London EC3R 7AP Dear Sirs Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement We consent to the reference to Clifford Chance within Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Forms F-4 and S-4 of Terra Nova Insurance (UK) Holdings plc and Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd, Registration Numbers 333-38063 and 333-38063-01 (the "Amendment"), and within the Prospectus contained therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States. Yours faithfully /s/ Clifford Chance Clifford Chance