Got a spare £1.25 million? Shropshire country home on the market

The six-bedroomed Stratford House, which sits within an 11-acre site on the outskirts of Bridgnorth, also boasts a hot tub and three marble fireplaces hand carved by the English sculptor Roger Pearson.

The house, in Stratford Lane, has been described by estate agents Nock Deighton as the "utopian country home".

Andrew Ainge, from the company, said such houses did not come up very often in Shropshire.

"It's an amazing property," he said.

"It really does have everything a family could wish for including stunning views, a beautiful swimming pool and more than 11 acres of grounds.

"The particulars include a picture of the house at night, which is quite unusual because it looks fantastic and has a large Christmas tree decorated with lights which just adds to the charm.

"It's the sort of house that has a different character in the winter and summer.

"During the winter, the Christmas tree and gardens give it a festive feel, whereas in the summer the outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace really come into their own.

"We are expecting strong interest because it's such an impressive house in a great location.

"It's only just on the edge of Bridgnorth and would be an ideal base for commuting to the West Midlands."

Stratford House had been the family home for the present owners for the past 19 years and Mr Ainge said it had been a hard decision for them to decide to move on.

"However, with their daughter away at university and having recently sold their business, they are planning to spend more time travelling until deciding where to settle next," he said.

Mr Pearson's marble chimney pieces have found their way into many prestigious homes and establishments in more than 20 countries over the last 35 years. The largest weighing in excess of two tons, Mr Ainge said.

The property is the second house worth more than a million pounds to have gone on the market in Bridgnorth area in recent weeks. Savvy millionaire businessman Steve Smith placed his mansion for sale online – to save himself more than £100,000 in estate agent fees.

Mr Smith, who founded discount store Poundland, wants £6.5 million for the 13-bedroom Hammer Hill House in Alveley, near Bridgnorth.

He has lived in the house for 14 years and he and his wife Tracy have decided to downsize after their three children left home.

The 52-year-old said he wanted to bypass traditional agents, and the percentage they take on the asking price.

Mr Smith's story is also being filmed for a new TV series of Poundshop wars to be shown early next year, based on his other online business.

He said: "Estate agents can charge 1.5 per cent of any sale, depending on who a person goes with.

"This online business has already saved about £2 million in fees and we're to expecting sell another 2,000 houses this year. An estate agent usually claims anything between £3,000 and £4,000, whereas we can sell a house for £390. People have been using the money they've saved to buy new kitchens or even cars." Mr Smith said he had carried out a survey, which showed 42 per cent of people now wanted to sell their own homes because they knew the house and the area better than anyone else.

"Another survey we carried out showed selling a house was the most stressful thing a family can do, with divorce in third," he said.

"We're now hoping to take this new form of house selling across the county."

Mr Smith set up discount chain Poundland in Burton upon Trent in 1990, and there are now 500 UK stores.