Kent's most impressive country home is back on the market after its sale to a mystery buyer fell through.

Chilham Castle near Canterbury, which has a guide price of £15 million, was believed to have been snapped up after its listing with agents Knight Frank was marked 'sold subject to contract'.

But the SSTC tag has now been removed from the property details on the website.

Knight Frank would not reveal the circumstances of its change of status, other than to confirm that the property remains for sale.

The impressive 17th century, Grade II-listed mansion, which sits in 300 acres, is billed as one of the finest country homes in the south east, but once sold for a mere £98,000 at auction in 1949 – the equivalent of £3.5 million in today's money.

It was put up for sale in April following the death last July of political activist and financier Stewart Wheeler, who had owned the estate since 2002 and spent a fortune restoring it.

His wife, Tessa, died in 2016 and they have three daughters.

Mr Wheeler left an estate worth £29 million in total and, according to his will, his daughters and human rights and anti-torture charities are set to benefit.

Prior to the sale to Mr Wheeler, Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger was rumoured to have been interested in the property, according to The Times.

The house boasts 14 bedrooms, 11 reception rooms, a cinema room, an indoor marble swimming pool. There is also a stunning three acre lake and tennis courts in the grounds.

During the Wheeler family's tenure of the estate, the gardens continue to regularly be opened to the public to visit, including this week, and equestrian events held.

Villagers say they hope who ever eventually buys the castle will still allow it to be part of the community.

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