Yahoo News 
Compton Castle, England’s ‘Most Romantic Estate’, May Soon Be Carved Up
Estate agents are suggesting a sale of the estate in nine pieces if a single buyer can't be found
A 1,270-acre estate in Somerset will likely be carved into plots if estate agents cannot find a single buyer willing to pay the £20 million (US$31m) asking price.
Compton Castle, dubbed ‘England’s most romantic estate’ because of the story behind it’s heart-shaped lake, has been empty for more than a decade and its current owners have now put it on sale through Knight Frank and Bidwells.
"It is a uniquely private estate,” says agent Peter Faulkner from Bidwells. “The beauty of which is only revealed as one approaches the castle with the spectacular view across the lake and up the valley with its wonderful and colourful tree planting.
The Grade II listed estate includes an 18,000 sq/ft castle, a coach house, two gate lodges and five further cottages.
The castle is surrounded by 1,270 acres of carefully manicured gardens and, of course, its very unique water features.
Legend has it a seven-acre heart-shaped lake was built by a former owner as an engagement present for his beloved wife-to-be.
But she ended up having an affair with a local curate and, heartbroken, the owner added a pair of teardrops alongside it.
The gothic castle, built in 1825, has an entrance hall with vaulted ceiling, nine bedrooms, six bathrooms and five reception rooms.
It was originally built for a Mr Hussey-Hunt, who lived there for five years until his death in 1830. The estate stayed in the Hussey-Hunt family until 1911 when it was sold to William Peake Mason, who later became Lord Blackford. The Showering family (of Babycham fame) later owned the castle and they sold it to the current owners in 1986.
It is the most expensive estate currently for sale in the Westcountry – and £14 million more than anything else publicly on the market in Somerset.
Little wonder then that the agents have made it possible to buy portions of the estate: the main castle and outbuildings, and 192 acres is available for £7.5 million.
A further 772 acres can be snapped up for £8 million. There are two lots of 100-acres of land for around £1 million. The cottages cost between £300,000 and £400,000.
But we're quietly hoping they find a single buyer willing to keep this storied estate intact.
