A Grade-II listed former ale house is on the market with a guide price of £795,000.

Following extensions in the 18th and 19th century, the Old King George in Flowers Bottom Lane, Speen, served a nice drop of ale to locals for just over 80 years from 1870 until it was converted into a cottage in 1954.

It still has features the regulars would remember such as the inglenook fireplaces, beamed walls and ceilings and wide oak plank floorboards.

The present owners have refurbished the basement as part of a restoration project to realise the potential to create a stunning country home. At the moment it’s a work in progress.

The living area extends to almost 2,500 sq ft. On the ground floor are three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, separate utility, the main bathroom and two staircases up to the first floor where there are four double bedrooms (two with vaulted ceilings), a night cloakroom and a curved staircase up to the second floor.

There’s scope in the attic to add to the living area and also potential to incorporate the timber outbuilding at the side of the house into the kitchen area. There’s already a gardener’s cloakroom in the shed adjoining the utility room and main bathroom.

The 97ft garden faces south east. Along with climbing roses, shrubs, borders and a stretch of lawn there’s a large greenhouse in need of repair.

No doubt many locals living in the village today would happily raise a toast not just to the restoration of the greenhouse but more importantly giving a new lease of life to a house that’s played an important part in raising spirits in the area.

The Old King George is for sale through Hamptons International in Great Missenden.