Why pay this much for a camp ?

Convenience?

Little time nor inclination (that's code for talent in my case) but abundant moolah? Throw a fistful of cash at someone and you've got yourself a nice(it's better than average) generic camp for a hobby (code for money sink).

I'm sure it would look more attractive to someone in the UK than someone, say, in Australia like me on the wrong end of a nasty exchange rate and hefty postage.

I have just ordered a Baueda Late Imperial Roman camp from Magister Militum, price £22.50.  I'm going to collect it at a show, so no postage, but I will still have to assemble, paint and base it myself.  I may have a couple of spare figures to defend it; if I don't, I'll have to buy them too.  I'm pretty sure I have a spare base, but, if not, ditto.  My time is my own, so I won't charge for that, and I won't buy any extra paints.  But overall, £29 for the camp in the photo doesn't strike me as that outrageous.  Of course, one can get a DBA army pack for around the same price, but that's simply because DBA armies are inexpensive.  It doesn't mean the camp is overpriced.

Functional, but astheatically pleasing and unique as the original example?

To each one's own!

Mike Elliot is the creator of that camp. He is a great Ebay seller. I have several of his pieces in my collection. They are usually resin. He has done custom work for me based on sketches, photos and ideas I have discussed with him. I can't recommend him highly enough. Great guy.

As one gets older, there is often money, but not time to both paint and play. Add a grandchild or two into the mix, and even retirement may not provide the time one needs to enjoy all aspects of the hobby. I pick up pieces that I think are really good art, and give them a good home.

Just to be clear, I don't think Lesp meant his question as derogatory towards Mike Elliot.

People really value Mike's work. It is pretty typical to see his pieces get  50 pounds or more. I particularly like his Hittite/Assyrian style camps and cities, which come in various sizes and configurations. His castles are really nice. Because they are resin, they require a bit of care in transport.