Far from the madding crowd

Address: Oxney Court, St Margarets-At-Cliffe, near Dover Price: £6.5 million Agent: Strutt & Parker

This £6.5m detached home for sale is as secluded as they come, as it is set in an abandoned village. Oxney Court at St Margarets-At-Cliffe, near Dover, has grounds, gardens and woodland around it but its nearby village was mysteriously abandoned, with some believing it might have lost its inhabitants to the plague.

The Grade II gothic manor house is at the end of a long, private drive, and has extensive grounds plus two cottages. Though there was a house on the site for centuries. The present building dates from the late 17th century. It was damaged by fire in the early half of the 20th century and reconstructed to the impressive home it is today. An octagonal reception hall with stone flooring leads to rooms over three floors, with five reception rooms, six bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court.

There are cellars, including a wine cellar, and store rooms beneath the main house.

There are formal gardens with high walls and yew hedges, a sizeable vegetable garden with raised beds, and, beyond that, a tennis court and pavilion, which has a gym, garden store and garaging.

In the woods is a treehouse with rope bridges and a hobbit house, and nearby is an oak-framed outdoor dining room and entertaining space, which has a fireplace, barbecue and kitchen.

The former stable block has been converted into a self-contained guest annexe with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen and cinema room, as well as a changing room for the pool.

In the woodland there is a family cottage, Rose Cottage, which has

1750sq ft if accommodation on two floors, including a sitting room and dining room, kitchen/breakfast room and four bedrooms with two bathrooms. There is also a staff cottage which also has a kitchen and two bedrooms, as well as its own parking area.

Both cottages are included in the asking price.

● To book an appointment or for further details, call 01227 473700