Old Garth – garth is the Danish word for yard or enclosure – has been the home of Geoffrey Reeve, producer of films such as The Shooting Party and The Far Pavilions, for the past 25 years.

‘My youngest daughter is 25 and we brought her here as a baby from Buckinghamshire,’ says Mr Reeve.

The Reeves led a life many Country Life readers will relate to, involving equestrian activities and the breeding of racehorses.

Mr Reeve says it is now time to downsize from the stone-built, family house with three reception rooms, six bedrooms a heated pool and a cellar with a meat curing bath and an old oven.

An interested buyer should note the amiable neighbours.

‘When we held a grand wedding for our eldest daughter in the summer, the neighbours knocked the wall down between our gardens so we could use accommodate the guests in both gardens.’

Old Garth is on the market at £750,000 through Savills Banbury (01295 228000; www.savills.co.uk)

* Country houses for sale in Oxfordshire