Croxteth Hall is the centre piece of a 500-acre country park in Liverpool
Liverpool City Council is "very close" to finding a new partner to help run a stately home which is costing the authority £1m a year to keep open.
The council's cabinet has voted in favour of a plan to find a new steward for the Grade II listed Croxteth Hall and the associated country park.
A spokesman said the authority can no longer afford the running costs alone.
Councillor Peter Mitchell said after "years of searching, we are very close to securing a win-win situation".
The council spokesman said following a tender process, a panel which includes volunteers that work at the hall will assess bids from interested parties.
Parts of the hall date back to the 16th Century but due to extensive rebuilding, it is essentially Edwardian
Mr Mitchell said the "preservation of Croxteth Hall and Park as a public asset, with free public access, is our number one priority".
"We've been hugely encouraged by the interest in the estate and we look forward to assessing exciting plans that will breathe new life into one of Liverpool's finest crown jewels," he added.
The hall, which dates back to 1575, and parts of the estate were bequeathed to the people of Liverpool by the last Earl of Sefton in 1972.
The process will not affect a £3.5m plan by Myerscough College to create a new animal and equine centre on the site of the former grounds maintenance depot.
The college will also continue to run the walled garden, while Home Farm will continue to be operated by the Neighbourhood Services Company.
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