OUTGOING Richmond MP William Hague has confirmed he has bought a country retreat in Wales which came with a price tag of £2.5m.

Mr Hague and his wife Ffion have purchased Cyfronydd Hall, near Welshpool in Montgomeryshire, Wales, although he does not intend to sell his £1m apartment near Richmond.

A spokeswoman for Mr Hague said he will continue to live in his constituency home until after he has retired from front line politics.

She said: “William and Ffion intend to split their time between Wales and North Yorkshire.

“He has lived in North Yorkshire for more than 25 years and it is his home – but the Wales house is closer to Ffion’s family and it is something they have both been looking at for some time.”

The Leader of House of Commons will step down at the election and is expected to continue his successful writing career.

The Mid Wales brick mansion, located between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion, had an asking price of £2.5m when it went on the market in 2013 and is set in grounds of nearly 13 acres.

Mr Hague told the County Times: “We have had our eyes on Cyfronydd Hall for some time. Ffion and I are looking forward to having a home in Wales for the first time and to living in such a beautiful part of the country.”

Mr Hague plans to keep a home in his Yorkshire constituency to “keep in touch with old friends”.

The Welsh county pile, formerly a residential girls’ school, is reported to feature 10 bedrooms and bathrooms, three reception rooms, library, cellars, and six holiday cottages.