A Palladian mansion once owned by Charles Darwin's great uncle that's hosted everyone from a Second World War hero to the Chuckle Brothers

Cleatham Hall — on the market through Carter Jonas for £1,400,000 — has some of the most unusual claims to fame we've seen in some time.

Originally built in the 17th century, it spent over a century in the Darwin family, before Charles Darwin's great-uncle William sold it in 1760. In 1855 it was almost entirely rebuilt in the Palladian style, and thereafter became the family home of Wing Commander Roger Maw, who played a key role in one of the most audacious prisoner-of-war escapes in the Second World War. Maw was the man who — inspired by the Wooden Horse of Ancient Greece, built the famous 'vaulting horse' in the exercise yard at Stalag Luft III, hiding a tunnel through which three men escaped, a scheme immortalised in a 1950 film. The account in Maw's obituary is utterly fascinating.

More recently, Cleatham Hall has been set up as a boutique hotel and wedding venue where — and I can't believe that all these worlds are colliding — the son of Chuckle Brothers star Paul Chuckle reportedly among those who have tied the not there. Not so much 'to me, you' as 'I do, I do'.

And there's something even more unusual, according to the agents: an 'A' rating on the EPC energy-efficiency certificate, something pretty much unheard of in a house of this age, and something which Carter Jonas call ‘an exceptional achievement that sets Cleatham Hall apart from many historic estates’. In these days of spiralling energy costs, such things aren't to be taken lightly.

Cleatham Hall's Palladian elements aren't hard to spot: the symmetrical façade, sash windows and ornate cornices you'd expect are all here, as is a cantilevered stone staircase with cast iron balusters. And while there's no dome on this Grade II-listed house, there is a round skylight immediately above the stairs, flooding the hallways with light from above.

The house is in beautiful condition thanks to a sensitive renovation by current owners Jim and Kate Anderson, who bought Cleatham Hall in 2010. They have kept its original features, including marble fireplaces, shutters, and even curtain poles.

Jim explains: ‘What people love when they come here is how we've retained the original features but modernised it so it doesn't feel olde worlde. It feels like a country home.’

Kate adds: ‘The master suite has a bathroom that was the old dressing room and it’s got a huge copper bath in it. I designed it so that you could look out of the beautiful windows in that room and you can see for miles. It's very, very special. There are not many places like this.’

Obviously the new owner could carry on running the house as an events venue, but shouldn’t feel wedded (ho-ho) to the hospitality set-up. Carter Jonas says Cleatham Hall ‘offers a unique opportunity to continue as a hospitality venue or be converted back into a grand family home, subject to planning permission’.

Although run as a hotel the floorplan retains much of the feel of a family home, albeit with some elements of its hospitality set-up. A large hall leads to spacious reception rooms, arranged as a sitting room, drawing room, and bar, with a cellar beyond.

Meanwhile, one of the kitchens — there are currently two — and an enormous orangery are set towards the back of the property.

Upstairs, there is a master bedroom and a further five bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms.

In addition, the ‘North Wing’ comprises three more ensuite bedrooms and a reception room, ideal for guests, family, or staff, suggests the selling agent.

Cleatham Hall is surrounded by landscaped gardens and mature trees, with six acres of paddock beyond to keep equestrian enthusiasts happy.

‘It's in a very beautiful setting,’ says Kate. ‘It's no wonder David Hockney came back up to East Yorkshire [nearby] because you've got big skies and so everything is spectacular. The house itself is quiet and beautiful. We've got deer, owls and hares. All those special things that people don't see — it's part of life here.’

Jim adds: ‘It is one of those places where you go up the drive and think, “Wow!”. You're in the middle of farmland but within easy reach of three or four major towns, including Lincoln, Scunthorpe, and Grimsby. There's lots of different places around.

‘When people actually come and discover the area, they're quite surprised by how much there is to do and how interesting it is.’

Cleatham Hall is for sale via Carter Jonas — see more details.