Live a fairytale lifestyle! Picturesque castle built 200 years ago goes up for auction for £600,000 (the same price as a one-bedroom flat in London)

• Gwrych Castle, Wales, is to go up for auction for the same price as a one-bedroom flat in London at £600,000
• It was built between 1812 and 1822 and sits on a hillside in 160 acres of picturesque grounds and countryside
• Castle was bought by property developers in 2010 who wanted to turn it into a £25million five-star hotel 
• But the ambitious project fell through and all that remains of the stunnig property is its six miles of walls 
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A fairytale castle is going up for auction for just £600,000 - the price of a one-bed London flat.

The historic Gwrych Castle in Wales was built between 1812 and 1822 and sits within 160 acres of picturesque grounds.

It was sold in 2010 to property developers hoping to transform it into a £25m five-star country hotel with 75 bedrooms.

But the project fell through - and all that remains of the 200-year-old building is its six miles of walls.

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Gwych castle in Wales was built between 1812 and 1822 and has just gone on the market for £600,000. It sits within a 160 acres of picturesque grounds on a hillside 

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The historic structure was sold in 2010 to property developers hoping to transform it into a £25m five-star country hotel with 75 bedrooms

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But the ambitious project to turn the castle into a hotel fell though  - and all that remains of the 200-year-old building is its six miles of walls

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The castle once fit for a princess will now go to auction for offers over £600,000, which is less expensive than a one-bedroom house in London 

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Thirty acres of the site is subject to a 25 year lease to the Trust and Natural Resource Wales. The Trust says it supports the castle going up for sale and hopes to buy it with the help of donors

The castle once fit for a princess will now go to auction for offers over £600,000.

History lover Dr Mark Baker, 33, has been on a mission to save the castle after first visiting it as a youngster on his dad's shoulders.

He wrote a book called the Rise and Fall of Gwrych Castle aged just 14 - and even met Tony Blair and Prince Charles after starting a campaign to save it.

Mark started Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, a registered charity, and fundraised to restore the castle.

He now leads a team of volunteers to bring the 19th century castle in Angele, North Wales, back to life.

Thirty acres of the site is subject to a 25 year lease to the Trust and Natural Resource Wales.

The Trust says it supports the castle going up for sale and hopes to buy it with the help of donors.

A spokesman said: 'Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust welcomes the opportunity presented by the decision of the current owners, EPM UK, to offer the Castle for sale.

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History lover Dr Mark Baker, 33 (left), has been on a mission to save the castle after first visiting it as a youngster on his dad's shoulders. Right: Inside the castle 

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Gwrych Castle was built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh as a memorial to his mother's ancestors, the Lloyds of Gwrych.

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A team of volunteers are determined to bring the historic castle back to life and are being led by Dr Mark Foster 

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The castle is being offered for sale with Pugh Auctions at the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester, on April 17

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The Trust will restore outbuildings and the visitors centre to operational use and also restore the formal gardens under the 25 year lease

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For the past 21 years, the Trust has been campaigning to secure the future of Gwrych Castle and has successfully restored five acres of gardens and buildings under a 25 year lease

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The Trust is now in advanced discussions with the current owners; and with private donors and funders to seek the support we will need to secure the ownership of the Castle

'This is an exciting opportunity for the Trust to fulfill its long-term ambition to purchase the Castle and to restore and safeguard it for the nation.

'For the past 21 years, the Trust has been campaigning to secure the future of Gwrych Castle and has successfully restored five acres of gardens and buildings under a 25 year lease.

'The Trust is now in advanced discussions with the current owners; and with private donors and funders to seek the support we will need to secure the ownership of the Castle.

'The Trust recognises the generosity of the public so far and welcomes all expressions of support and contributions to our funds to enable us to swiftly conclude the purchase of the Castle and subsequently to restore it to its historic glory.'

The Trust will restore outbuildings and the visitors centre to operational use and also restore the formal gardens under the 25 year lease.

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Inside the castle - which could do with a little more than just a lick of paint. Winifred Bamford-Hesketh, later Countess of Dundonald, inherited it in 1894. She died in 1924 and her will declared Gwrych should be bequeathed to King George V so the Royal Family had a permanent base in Wales

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Winifred Bamfrod-Hesketh's request was declined and it was given to St John of Jerusalem

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In 1925 the Earl of Dundonald, Winifred's husband, bought back the castle for £78,000 and during World War II Gwrych housed Jewish refugees

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Sad site: Much of the interior has fallen into a state of disrepair and needs extensive repair and renovation work carrying out 

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A gradual decline began when Gwrych Castle finally left the family's hands in 1946

The castle is being offered for sale with Pugh Auctions at the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester, on April 17.

Gwrych Castle was built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh as a memorial to his mother's ancestors, the Lloyds of Gwrych.

Winifred Bamford-Hesketh, later Countess of Dundonald, inherited it in 1894.

She died in 1924 and her will declared Gwrych should be bequeathed to King George V so the Royal Family had a permanent base in Wales.

This request was declined and it was given to St John of Jerusalem.

In 1925 the Earl of Dundonald, Winifred's husband, bought back the castle for £78,000 and during World War II Gwrych housed Jewish refugees.

A gradual decline began when Gwrych Castle finally left the family's hands in 1946. 

Secret Millionaire puts farmhouse converted into yoga retreat with five bedrooms, its own labyrinth and plenty of (inner) space up for sale for £2million

• Dr Dawn Gibbins-Cox MBE is selling her five-bedroom detached farmhouse in Congleton Edge, Cheshire
• She went on the Secret Millionaire and her unique property has its own labyrinth and offers stunning views 
• Heather Bank Farm was dubbed 'Blissland' in the local area and was transformed into a luxury yoga retreat

A public speaker who went on the Channel 4 show Secret Millionaire has put her luxury yoga retreat on the market for £2million.

Dr Dawn Gibbins-Cox MBE is selling her stunning five-bedroom detached farmhouse which boasts 14 acres of land, several outbuildings and a labyrinth in Congleton Edge, Cheshire.

She went undercover in one of the most deprived areas of south west England on Secret Millionaire and claimed she returned home a 'changed woman'. 

Heather Bank Farm, also known locally as Blissland, was established in 2011 and promises the new owners breathtaking unspoiled views across the Cheshire plain.

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The yoga retreat in Congleton Edge, Cheshire, (pictured) boasts 14 acres of land and has now gone on the market for £2million

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The family residence boasts a large wrap around orangery, kitchen breakfast room, three reception rooms, a utility room and cloakroom

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The outbuildings and pods are used for many events including life transformation classes, coaching workshops and weekend retreat

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The yoga retreat (pictured) is owned by Dr Dawn Gibbins-Cox MBE who went undercover on the Channel 4 show the Secret Millionaire 

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The property features a large and detailed fireplace and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside in Cheshire 

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Dr Dawn Gibbins-Cox MBE (pictured) went undercover in one of the most deprived areas of south west England on Secret Millionaire and claimed she returned home a 'changed woman'

Currently thriving as a sacred centre for inner peace, the family residence boasts a large wrap around orangery, kitchen breakfast room, three reception rooms, a utility room and cloakroom.

The property has four double bedrooms, two of which have en-suite bathrooms, and a family bathroom.

In addition there is a large outbuilding/studio, three purpose-built timber cladded pods - one designed specifically for meditation - and rotunda which makes an ideal office space.

And the spacious property spills out onto 14 acres with an orchard, large pond, mature gardens, several fenced paddocks, six stables and a labyrinth for meditative walking and questioning.

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Heather Bank Farm, also known locally as Blissland which was established in 2011, is up for sale and promises the new owners breathtaking unspoiled views across the Cheshire plain

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There is a kitchen breakfast room inside the yoga retreat (pictured) which also has four double bedrooms, two of which have en-suite bathrooms

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The unique property comes with purpose-built timber cladded pods - one which was designed specifically for meditation

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The property has five bedrooms (pictured) and has several outbuildings - and even a labyrinth in Congleton Edge, Cheshire

The outbuildings and pods are used for many events including life transformation classes, coaching workshops and weekend retreats.

In 2013 it was discovered that the farm is on the same ley line as Stonehenge which is believed to give the land spiritual significance and place of power.

But those looking to pursue less zen-like pursuits can easily alter the property for personal or business ventures.

Equestrian pursuits or nature-enhancing retreat centre possibilities abound in this quirky, characterful property.

A Fine & Country Knutsford spokesman said: 'Here at Fine and Country Knutsford we are delighted to be marketing Heatherbank Farm or as its better known to locals, 'Blissland'.

'The property is a rare find with many unique and fascinating features from its labyrinth for meditative walking to breathtaking views of the Cheshire plain.'