A "sensational" property described as one of the finest early 18th century houses in east Kent has gone on the market with a price tag of more than £4 million.

The Old Rectory in Wickhambreaux, near Canterbury, was built in 1713 for the then village rector and is a much-admired and very fine example of Queen Anne architecture, say agents Strutt & Parker.

The eight-bedroom Grade II-listed home was featured as The Times' property of the week in the newspaper's "lustworthy homes" section on New Year's Day, in which it was described as looking like a "doll's house".

It was previously sold for £1.9 million eight years ago by Giles Newby Vincent, a designer for the TV show Downton Abbey who also helped furnish the homes of celebrities like Elton John.

The current owners have carried out a huge restoration and improvement project, including creating a fitness room, swimming pool and tennis court.

Strutt & Parker call it a "sensational" property and have valued it at £4.25 million.

The plot also has a separate "well appointed" period cottage with a sitting room, fitted kitchen, ground floor bathroom and a spacious first floor bedroom.

The estate agents say: "Standing proudly overlooking the village green with views towards the old mill and the church, The Old Rectory is quintessentially English, forming part of an idyllic and unchanged pastoral scene and is one of the finest early 18th century houses in east Kent."

It also boasts four reception rooms, three bathrooms, a study, wine cellar and laundry room.

The house sits in near one-acre gardens and the agents add: "The partly-walled garden has been carefully and sensitively landscaped, and makes a wonderful sanctuary.

"As well as the formal lawn, which has a summer house at its focal point and is surrounded by mature hedges and walls, with well-tended borders and a variety of specimen trees, there are terraces beside the house and these provide a variety of entertaining spaces.

"The vegetable garden is located at the far end of the garden, sheltered behind an abundance of lined pear and apple trees which form the orchard, along with grapevines in the Victorian greenhouse."

But the property grounds also have many hi-tech features, including including a cedar hot tub operated by an app, an outdoor shower, full remote garden lighting system and fully automated irrigation system.