In 2009 police were called to break up a mass orgy during a black-tie ball
organised by a Dutch adult entertainment firm that had hired it out for the
night.

Two years ago, Mr Bond’s 78-year-old mother, Stella Bond, staged a three day
sit in the library to prevent it being repossessed by bailiffs.

Halswell House was subsequently repossessed by the mortgage lender Citi
Private Banking and it is now being sold on its behalf.

Theguide price, which is about the same price as a three-bed semi-detached
house in some parts of the UK, has been listed by specialist land and
property auctioneers Clive Emson.

Five estate houses are also being offered in separate lots at next month’s
sale, but the entire collection could be sold in one go if there is
sufficient interest. The guide price for everything is between 650,000 to
960,000 pounds.

The vast estate sits in Halswell Park in Goathurst near Bridgwater.

Graham Barton, of Clive Emson auctioneers, said: “This is a unique
opportunity to acquire in broad terms your own hamlet.

“The mansion and Tudor manor are set in 30 acres of Somerset countryside
and this comprises one lot.

“There are also five houses on the estate in separate lots but we
reserve the right to sell everything at once should there be interest from
people wanting to acquire virtually their own hamlet.

“The mansion house is in an elevated position with breathtaking rural
views over the Somerset countryside.

“The Tudor manor house does need some investment but the mansion is in
fair condition and any new owner could move in.

“Halswell House is ready to become a magnificent private home once
again, although it will interest investors with a variety of plans.

“Opportunities to bid on something of this scale and of such historical
and architectural importance are astonishingly rare.”

The Tudor house on the estate was built in 1536 for Robert Halswell and was
passed down the family, one of whose members was Sir Nicholas Halswell, who
became MP for Bridgwater in 1603.

Later the Halswells married into the wealthy Somerset Tynte family and Sir
Halswell Tynte oversaw the development of the 17th century mansion including
the huge Palladian block that looks north towards the Bristol Channel.

Later, in the 18th century, Sir Charles Tynte made substantial improvements to
both houses, renovated the earlier formal garden, and erected follies and
other elements.

There is a grotto, temple, ruins, as well as a large dovecote.

In 1923 a fire caused extensive damage but the house was rebuilt and during
the Second World War it served as a girls’ school. Some of the land was made
a prisoner of war camp.

The National Trust declined the opportunity to take on the house after the war
and the estate was sold and broken up.

There is now an extremely rare opportunity to buy one of the country’s most
perfect houses.

The sale on December 17 will be held at the St Mellion International Resort,
St Mellion, Cornwall.