With origins in the 12th-century, the present house was built in 1616 and is full of period features and furniture, such as original fireplaces, 16th and 17th-century wood panelling, Tudor rose ceilings and a grand staircase with twisted balustrade dating from 1682.

The themed bedrooms, initimate reception rooms and dining-room combine to make it an ideal choice for family celebrations and get-togethers.

The surrounding area is steeped in history, with Sissinghurst Castle, Penshurst Place, Hever Castle, Chartwell (Churchill's home) and the moated splendour of Leeds Castle all beckoning exploration. Golf, fishing, horse riding and hunting can all be arranged locally.

Etchingham Railway Station is 15-minute walk, or 3 minutes by car, for rapid access to local places of interest, and the sites and sounds of the capital can be accessed in around an hour and a half.

Entrance hall. Oak-panelled grand hall/drawing room with Tudor lattice ceiling and huge open stone fireplace. Light and airy sitting room with open fire and French windows to terrace and garden. Dining-room with Jacobean oak overmantel and long refectory table (seating up to 8).

Compact kitchen with double oven. Utility. Cloakroom/W.C.

Ornate sweeping staircase to first floor: Prince Regent's Room; double bedroom with four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom/W.C. with over-bath shower and bidet, leading to single bedroom with wash basin. Small double bedroom with 4ft four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom/W.C. Countess Room; large twin-bedded room with canopied beds and en-suite bathroom/W.C. Lady Laetitia's Room; light and airy double bedroom with four-poster bed, views over South Downs and en-suite bathroom/W.C. Second small single bedroom. Duchess Room; double bedroom with en-suite bathroom/W.C. Most rooms with wood-panelled walls and antique furnishings.