ONE of Hampshire's most exclusive country houses has come on the market - for £1.85m.

The 17th-century converted barn, bordering the River Meon, comes with its own swimming pool, gym, landscaped rose garden and paddock.

Recently recreated by a mystery local businessman, the plush mix of rustic charm and wallet-busting luxury has a lot to offer potential housebuyers near Petersfield.

With a price tag beyond the bank balances of all but the richest lottery winners, who will be snapping up the idyllic home?

Estate agents Jackson-Stops say it will appeal to someone hunting out a country getaway to work from home and relax.

Lesley Elliott said of the Grade 2 listed East Meon property, 17 miles from Winchester: "This is something special. It's quite unusual and quite remote. You can't just walk to the shops - it's very much a country residence.

"But you have everything you need on site - an office, swimming pool, gym. It's not at the top of the price scale in Hampshire, but in terms of desirability, it is very special."

The original barn and dairy has been converted into a stunning five-bedroom country house, complete with a music room, playroom, gallery study and five bathrooms.

A secondary building in the two-acre grounds has an office and studio bedroom, while another converted barn houses the 12m swimming pool, hot tub and gym. The site also has garages for five cars.

The glossy Jackson-Stops brochure reads: "The barn has been converted with great foresight and imagination, superb use of rich colours and quality fittings have created what can only be described as a unique property."