Would-be buyers eye up potential at £5m Hawkstone Hall

American buyers are eyeing up a historic mansion house in Shropshire which has gone on the market with a £5 million price tag.

Estate agents selling Hawkstone Hall, in Marchamley, near Hodnet, today said there had been 'huge' interest from potential buyers, including some from outside the UK.

The buyer of the 80-room property, which went up for sale about three weeks ago, will become just its fourth new owner in more than 550 years.

The property is the former home of the Hill family – including Rowland Hill, who was the Duke of Wellington's deputy at the Battle of Waterloo. Boasting six reception rooms and a ballroom, it is being marketed by Reeves & Partners and Barbers.

Mike Arthan, managing director of Barbers, said viewings have already taken place and more and scheduled in the coming days.

He said: "We have had a huge response, mostly from outside Shropshire, and we have even had some interest from abroad. We have had interest from America.

"We have already started viewings and there will be further viewings coming up as well."

He added they had received a mix of enquires from potential buyers both commercial and residential.

For the past 85 years the hall has been used as an educational institution and is now a retreat centre. Guests – both religious and lay – visit from across the globe.