THEY say an Englishman's home is his castle - and that is certainly the case with this stunning home.

The 16th-century moated former rectory is on the market for a cool £5 million.

Grade II-listed, it is set back from the road with its own long driveway.

Called Chailey Moat, it sits near the picturesque village green in the rural setting of Chailey, near Lewes.

It has four reception rooms, seven bedrooms and a large kitchen with separate breakfast room and prep area.

Its £5-million price tag also gets you a 17th-century tithe barn, a two-bedroom cottage, swimming pool and tennis court set in 44 acres of land.

A spokeswoman for its agent, Savills, said: "Chailey Moat is a beautifully-situated period house, the epitome of a rural retreat.

"Although much of the character remains as it as has always been with Tudor, Elizabethan and Georgian elements blending seamlessly together, the current owners have much improved the house and have decorated it with great flair, complementing the period character of the house with stylish contemporary touches.

"While extending to over 6,400sqft it is clearly a much loved and comfortable family home."

The house sits on an island encircled by its rectangular moat with three timber footbridges.

Once inside, its reception rooms and study boast character features including exposed timbers, oak joinery, panelling and flooring, fine original fireplaces and both leaded light casements and sash windows.

The agent points out a "handsome oak-panelled reading room" which has a door opening on to a south-east terrace.

Further reception rooms include a dining hall and a sitting room with four pairs of French doors with Juliet balconies opening directly over the moat.

Outside, the tithe barn has been sympathetically converted to provide a games room with kitchenette and shower room, as well as a generous and self-contained four-bedroom cottage. The agent says it is "ideal for staff accommodation".

And if that's not enough, another cottage, originally a piggery, is also part of the deal.

The single-storey cottage has two bedrooms, a kitchenette and a shower room.

Further areas include a productive orchard and an area of light woodland with a large timber workshop and tractor store.

For details call Savills on 01444 446 000 or visit savills.co.uk.