Robbie to buy £7m retreat in heart of crop circle country
Pop star and UFO fan Robbie Williams’ imminent move to a £7m country house may be as much to do with its location in an extra-terrestrial hotspot as his desire to rejoin Take That, it emerged today.
The seven-bedroom mansion, in Compton Bassett, Wiltshire, England, lies in the heart of crop circle country, with meetings of enthusiasts held just yards from the 18th century house.
The singer’s well-documented interest in UFOs will not turn heads in the village – in summer the White Horse pub’s skittle alley becomes an impromptu research centre welcoming the world’s crop circle followers.
This year Williams made a TV documentary about aliens, expressed his desire to become a committed Ufologist and began visiting observatories.
Villagers say rumours surfaced a fortnight ago that the 34-year-old was moving to Compton Bassett House which has a sauna, pool and helicopter pad. The estate was first on the market for £10m.
Williams’ spokeswoman Lesley Land would not confirm or deny the story today.
She said: “There’s no comment on that. We are not commenting.”
James MacKenzie, of estate agent Savills who had been offering the property jointly with Knight Frank, said Compton Bassett had been withdrawn from sale with them a month ago.
He said: “We are not offering it any more. There is a rumour it is under offer, but I don’t know.”
Knight Frank are directing queries about the property to their PR department which has been contacted to comment.
The elegant estate, renovated by current owner Paul Cripps, a commercial property investor, boasts 71 acres and is close to the 11th century St Swithun’s church.
Madonna and former husband Guy Ritchie would have been near neighbours in the county – but the future of their 1000-acre Ashcombe House retreat near Tollard Royal is uncertain after their split.
Williams’ friend Jonathan Wilkes is also reported to have bought a place nearby.
Tara Adams, landlady of the White Horse, said today: “It is village gossip and I haven’t heard it from the horse’s mouth. But the property has been sold. Robbie Williams will be made very welcome here. I think he’s lovely and very talented.
“The village is a little gem, with beautiful surroundings and really lovely people. There are lots of wealthy people here, but it’s very discreet and not talked about. He would be treated normally here.”
Between April and August the pub transforms into a research centre for crop circles, organised by Charles Mallett.
Wiltshire Crop Circle Study Group founder Francine Blake told the 'Western Daily Press': “I’m not that bothered about anyone’s background or who they are, as long as they are open and interested in the subject and willing to discover more.
“We spend our energy trying to document and unravel this mystery and if he is interested in joining us then that will be wonderful.”
