A price to make even Downton Abbey's dowager countess curse: House which doubles for home of Maggie Smith's character up for sale for £3.95million

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Lady Violet Crawley may call it a 'little cottage' but her grand mansion is now on the market for nearly £4million.

Byfleet Manor is a historic and unique estate which predates the Domesday Book and has been home to numerous historic figures over the years.

But to many it is better knnown as the home of Lady Violet Crawley, the acid-tongued Dowager played by Dame Maggie Smith.

For five years, Dame Maggie and the cast of the hit ITV show Downton Abbey have been filmed at the stunning 17th century mansion near Byfleet Surrey.

Downton's Abbey has been a phenomenal success, sometimes pulling in 12million viewers per episode. But with the sixth and final series due to finally draw the saga to a close, owner Julie Hutton has decided to sell up.

For five years, Dame Maggie and the cast of Downton Abbey have been filmed at the stunning 17th century mansion near Byfleet Surrey

Lady Violet, pictured left, may describe the home as a 'little cottage...designed by Wren for the first earl's sister'. Owner Julie Hutton has renovated the house and installed a period copper bath on a recovered marble slab in the bathroom, pictured right

Byfleet Manor, as it stands today, was built in around 1686 although many details from an earlier Palace were incorporated, including the heavy timber staircase and several fireplaces

And because of its phenomenal worldwide success, particularly across the pond, buying agent Henry Pryor is expecting a great deal of foreign interest.

He said: 'I wouldn't be surprised if an American tries to buy it and take it back brick by brick to re-build it in Kentucky.

'Of course English Heritage might have a few choice words to say about this - perhaps as sharp as the Dowager Duchess herself. Nevertheless, there will be coach loads of viewers wanting to snoop and a fair few who may even be able to afford it.'

While Lady Violet may describe the home as a 'little cottage...designed by Wren for the first earl's sister', most would consider this a sprawling mansion fit for a king.

The 6,000 sq ft house, which has also been used in a host of other period dramas including Poirot and Cranford, has eight bedrooms, four reception rooms and 18 acres of land.

It boasts stunning period features and is owned by businesswoman Julie Hutton, who bought the house a little more than ten years ago for around £1million.

At the time, the house needed work but Mrs Hutton renovated it and started holding events at the stunning home.

But when Downton property scouts approached her and made an offer to film there, her home would change forever - although she wouldn't find out until much later.

She told The Sunday Times: 'It was only ever meant to be one series so I thought "why not". But then, as I saw what happened to Highclere as the show went on and on, I got a bit nervous. I was waiting for the coachloads of tourists to arrive.'

Downton has sparked a whole tourist industry, with Highclere Castle in Hampshire  - used as the Earl of Grantham's home - offering tea, accommodation and the chance to be served upon by real life owners the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. 

The Cotswold village of Bampton, which is Downton in the series, attracts thousands of fans every year hoping to catch a glimpse of the fabled town.

And with the series increasing popularity, Julie waited for the inevitable - a call from some guests from South Carolina who wanted to visit.

'Well come and have tea, I said. And if they were coming all this way, I thought I'd better put on a proper spread,' she told The Sunday Times.

The history of Byfleet Manor extends as far back as the 7th century and is first recorded in 1086 in the Domesday Book when reference is made to Byfleet having a Manor

She went out to get silver plate and bone china and made an incredible effort to accommodate her guest, which they enjoyed so much, it drew Julie into the growing Downton fandom industry 

But it is now time for a new project and she has put Byfleet Manor up for sale with Savills for £3.95 million.

With the election over and the threat of mansion tax extinguished, wealthy homeowners are likely to flock back to the property market with Savills expecting a flurry of interest in Byfleet Manor.

Paul Finnegan, from Savills Country Department, said: 'This is certainly an iconic home and its appeal will be far reaching.

'Just over 20 miles from the centre of London and 15 miles from Heathrow Airport, we're expecting interest in the sale of the Byfleet Manor estate to come from all quarters.

'In the past 12 months we've seen an increase in the flow of London based buyers looking to move out to the country for larger homes with land, and this would make the perfect forever home for a growing family.'

While fictionally known for its aristocratic connections in Downton Abbey, by 1307 the Manor of Byfleet, then a Royal hunting lodge, was owned by the Crown for over 300 years during which time several royal figures lived at, gifted, destroyed and rebuilt the house

The history of Byfleet Manor extends as far back as the 7th century and is first recorded in 1086 in the Domesday Book when reference is made to Byfleet having a Manor.

While fictionally known for its aristocratic connections in Downton Abbey, by 1307 the Manor of Byfleet, then a Royal hunting lodge, was owned by the Crown for over 300 years during which time several royal figures lived at, gifted, destroyed and rebuilt the house.

King Edward I and II are noted to have stayed frequently at Byfleet. Edward III then gifted it to his mother Isabella as part of her Dower.

The Black Prince bred his horses on the estate while Henry VIII is said to have spent stints of his childhood at Byfleet.

He subsequently granted it to Katherine of Aragon in her divorce and Queen Elizabeth I was known to have visited in 1576. The last Royal owner was the Queen Consort Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I.

Byfleet Manor, as it stands today, was built in around 1686 although many details from an earlier Palace were incorporated, including the heavy timber staircase and several fireplaces. In 2013 a secret room was discovered.

Buying agent Henry Pryor said its history and classic British look will be another factor likely to appeal to foreign buyers.

He said: 'Any house with global recognition is going to be hugely popular.

The 6,000 sq ft house, which has also been used in a host of other period dramas including Poirot and Cranford, has eight bedrooms, four reception rooms and 18 acres of land

King Edward I and II are noted to have stayed frequently at Byfleet. Edward III then gifted it to his mother Isabella as part of her Dower

'Proximity to London will be a plus although it's arguably too close to the M25 for some. It retains much of the original setting which itself is worth a fortune.

'Unlike Highclere Castle, the setting for the Abbey itself, this is a practical house for 21st century living and for many foreigners, ownership would provide the most English of Christmas cards for the folks back home.

'With the election out of the the way and the threat of a mansion tax now buried with their architects Miliband and Clegg, the field is open again and buyers are coming out like blossom.

'Confidence in a stable and more affordable market will encourage buyers to commit, something that had scared away the wealthy who feared a property tax.'

In addition to Byfleet Manor, there are a further four lots available to buy, including three additional residential dwellings and a development plot.

Simon Ashwell, head of Savills Weybridge, added: 'For all its fame, Byfleet Manor is actually located in an idyllic location at the end of a winding country lane on fringe of the nearby village, discreetly positioned for privacy and security.

'From the Domesday Book to Downton Abbey, prospective buyers are being offered the chance to be part of a significant piece of history.' 

Because of Downton Abbey's phenomenal worldwide success, buying agent Henry Pryor is expecting a great deal of foreign interest

Buying agent Henry Pryor said that for many foreigners, ownership would provide the most English of Christmas cards for the folks back home

The Black Prince bred his horses on the estate while Henry VIII is said to have spent stints of his childhood at Byfleet