IVER GROVE is a house that punches far above its weight architecturally. It has a splendid temple front applied to a compact early Georgian villa: the effect is love at first sight for almost everyone, including the playwright Tom Stoppard, who bought the house in the 1970s, and, it seems likely, the antislavery MP William Wilberforce, who stayed here for a month in 1824.

The other delight is that no one knows of the house’s existence, not even locals in Iver, Buckinghamshire, who drive past every day. This is largely because of the well-established shelter belt around the property, which has enough conifers to ensure that it remains invisible even in winter. All this is the more surprising given that the M4 is two miles away and Heathrow six, although you are well away from the flight path.

The house dazzles with colour, a rich livery of pale plum-coloured brick and bright red brick trim for the corners, windows and pillars. This was the palette favoured by Christopher Wren for public buildings such as Chelsea Hospital, as well as houses. Iver is almost certainly the work of one of Wren’s main assistants, John James.

The white paint of the full Roman Doric frieze and cornice add a distinct flourish, while the entrance hall opens on to a splendid early Georgian oak stair, making a grand ascent around a lofty open well. Each tread has a deliciously carved end with a pair of turned balusters and columns at the corners.

The house was in a such a desperate state after the Second World War that the Ministry of Works bought it to avert demolition. It was so smothered in ivy that you could hardly see the brickwork. The ministry demolished a large Victorian wing to return the house to its original pure lines, making a practical size for modern family use. Timber for the floors came from the armoury in the Tower of London. Iver Grove is filled with light, and all the main rooms have windows looking on to the garden in two directions. In the drawing room and sitting room tall Regency sashes descend to the floor. The kitchen and dining room are in the half basement, where there is also a vaulted double wine cellar. The spacious main bedroom and bathroom take up half the first floor – the second floor, lit by dormers, is a separate realm ready made for a large family of children.

You could move in tomorrow – but Iver is also a house where you can let the imagination run. The demolished wing contained a large number of plaster casts of antique friezes and panels that are now back at Iver waiting to be displayed. The purchaser definitely needs to consult James Perkins, a property developer who rescues country houses, who displays plaster casts with as much panache as the great Sir John Soane. There’s equal scope for laying out an ambitious formal Baroque garden with yew hedges and box parterres.

The house was built for Lady Mohun, widow of the most notorious rake and duellist of the early 18th century, Lord Mohun, who had twice been tried for murder before he reached the age of 21. The present owners have run a design business from the annexe; there are also stables and a newly refurbished indoor pool. The one challenge is to give yourself enough time to enjoy this glorious place. Unusually, Iver is for sale with the Georgian Group, which has its own property arm and claims to be Britain’s only charitable estate agency.

FACTFILE

WHAT YOU GET: Grade I listed house, gabled office range, two cottages, flat and pool annexe, walled garden and 17 acres. In all, 17,183 sq ft.

WHERE IT IS: In Iver, Buckinghamshire, 17 miles from Hyde Park Corner.

PRICE: £6.5m, www.georgianproperty.com or call Michael Bidnell on 0871 7891789

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