Entire English village goes on sale for £20 million

An entire English village has gone on sale for £20 million.

Video report by ITV News' correspondent Peter Smith

West Heslerton in Yorkshire comes with its own 21-bedroom mansion, 43 houses and 2,116 acres of surrounding land.

A pub, sports pavilion, filling station and playing field are also included in the price tag.

Owner Eve Dawnay inherited the village from her father in the 1960s.

But when she died in 2010 she had no heir to pass it on to so it was put up for sale to be split between beneficiaries.

She wanted the next owner to carry on her legacy of giving villagers cheap rent and supporting the local community.

The manor house will take some restoration before it is habitable
A map of the village adorns one of the walls of the manor, drawn by Eve Dawnay's father Colonel Dawnay
The manor house

Tom Watson, a director of Cundalls estate agency, which is handling the sale, said: "In many respects time has stood still in West Heslerton.

"There are now endless possibilities to convert buildings, develop plots and explore commercial opportunities.

"But I know that in an ideal world Miss Dawnay's family would really like to see the estate carry on in a similar vein.

"The sale is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I just hope we can find the perfect buyer."

And it even comes with its own pub. Credit: Cundalls

Henry Pryor, a buying agent and property commentator, believes the village could attract an international buyer looking to take advantage of the struggling pound.

He said: "Despite not being the prettiest of villages this sale will cause a stir with domestic and international buyers interested in this trophy sale.

Cundalls of Fir Tree Cottage Credit: Cundalls

"The main house has the feel of Miss Havisham about it, but the opportunity to acquire a house like this together with the village will be a big turn on to many of the super-rich.

"Not quite the Downton Abbey of the north but something quite close should ensure strong interest from North America where the combination of a strong Dollar and an enthusiasm to for all things British may well result in a premium price."