Robbie arrives at new Wiltshire home (From This Is Wiltshire)

Robbie arrives at new Wiltshire home

12:06pm Friday 30th January 2009 in

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The former Take That star has returned to Britain after five years in America - and moved into this stunning £7million country mansion near Calne.

Robbie, 34, was this week spotted strolling in the grounds of the 17th century manor set in 71 acres of Wiltshire countryside, with his gardener.

The property comes with a tennis court, sauna and swimming pool complex, eight bathrooms, gym, two staff flats and helicopter hangar.

Robbie caused a stir on Tuesday when he went shopping in nearby Swindon disguised in a black balaclava, shades and puffer jacket.

Two days later he was spotted wearing the same shiny black coat as he was given a guided tour of the stunning grounds by his maintenance staff.

Williams' family hope the isolated serenity of the manor house will help him avoid the demons which dogged him when he last lived in Britain.

In January Williams' sister Sally Symonds told Hello! magazine: ''Last time he lived in England he was so high profile he couldn't get any peace.

''He was living in London and resorted to buying a flat on the 15th floor. It was like Alcatraz.

''This time he hopes he can get some kind of private life. I'm not sure the house will be private enough but if he feels pressured he'll be straight back on a plane.''

She said the singer was longing to return to England and could bring his girlfriend Ayda Field, 29, with him.

''Robert has missed Britain,'' she told the magazine. ''He has wanted to come back for the past 12 to 18 months.

''He loves the British culture and the British people and he wants to spend more time here.

''He has enjoyed living in LA - he can move around freely and the sun always shines. But it's a pretty soulless place.

''I think Ayda will come with him. He brought her home to Stoke a few months ago and she seemed a very kind, pleasant, down-to-earth girl. They seem to interact well.''

Robbie took advantage of the property slump and snapped up the mansion for a bargain £7million - an 18 per cent drop from its £8.5million asking price in 2007.

The estate boasts a 150ft long stable and stands in landscaped gardens next to an 11th-century church and has its own £350,000 electricity substation.

Previous owner Paul Cripps, 55, and his wife Selene, spent three painstaking years - and £3million - transforming the huge property.

The commercial property tycoon sold the property to ''downsize'' and spend more time at his other properties in Knightsbridge and Bermuda.

The black-and-white stone floor in the lobby by the pool, lined with Doric columns, is copied from Pierce Brosnan's film, The Thomas Crown Affair.

One of the two luxury bathrooms is in Jerusalem limestone and African red granite, another with an island theme, with arched Japanese-style bridges leading to the shower.

Locals are preparing to give their new celebrity neighbour a warm welcome.

Tara Adams, 39, landlady of a nearby pub, said: ''There has been lots of rumours for a while now but it's great to find out he's finally joining us.

''We welcome him to the area and look forward to seeing him coming in here for a pint.

''We'd love to see him in here, as would all the locals and he'd be treated as just another customer.''