What's happened to several large country houses around here is co-ownership (srt of upmarket version of a commune) where everyone has a flat of their own and pay a sub for the council tax, to maintain the common areas, etc. Jolly fun at high days and holidays where it's bring-a-plate in the dining hall. Convert the grounds to vegetable garden and orchard to be as self-sufficient as possible. If it's your kind of thing it can work brilliantly.