Many of us dream of owning a beautiful country cottage, but imagine owning a whole village of them.

West Heslerton, near Malton in North Yorkshire, U.K., has been owned by the same family for 150 years—but now it's on the market for $28.5 million (or £20 million).

The rural estate includes a beautiful manor house, 43 cottages, a sports pavilion and pub, plus more than 2,000 acres of sprawling countryside.

The most recent landlady was Eve Dawnay, who inherited the village from her father in 1964. Known for being extremely kind, she kept rents low in the village and helped to build a vibrant community.

Oxford-educated Eve died in 2010 leaving no heir, and now her beneficiaries have decided to sell the village, including her former home, the 21-bedroom West Heslerton Hall.

Tom Watson, of Cundalls estate agency, which is handling the sale, said the family is hoping to find a community-minded buyer who shares Ms Dawnay's vision. "Miss Dawnay was a wonderful lady," he said. "She was very kind and the property rents are, and have always been, very low."

"This has helped keep a village community and there are obviously a lot of people hoping that somebody with a similar benevolent nature will come along to take over the estate. It would be perfect for somebody wanting to build up and leave a legacy."

Any takers?

(Images: Cundalls)

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