Dream property projects don't come up very often and truly unusual.

Historically important properties such as Grade II listed Elms Cottage - barely altered for the last 100 years - are even rarer.

Set at the edge of the North Downs, close to Wye, this is an impressive historic building with beautiful countryside views. One and a half acres of land, complete with pond, surround the house and outbuildings.

Once restored, it has the potential to make an impressive five-bedroom home.

Elms Cottage has a medieval core - in the form of a hall house - possibly dating back as far as the late 1300s. Now loosely arranged as three cottages, the house has undergone many changes over the centuries.

"Architecturally the building is something special," said Patience Oetzmann, Elms Cottage's current owner."It would appeal to an enthusiast, but equally someone may see it and just fall in love.

"Although it has been in my husband's family for the best part of a century, we're looking forward to seeing it properly restored. It will make a wonderful home."

The current lay-out of the cottages can be traced back to 1884 when Lord Brabourne gave a number of acres to a favoured land agent.

Building himself a handsome redbrick 'gentleman's residence' - The Elms - next door, the old hall house was downgraded, becoming three workers' cottages.

The Oetzmann family bought the house, land and cottages in 1919. After many years in New Zealand, George Oetzmann had reluctantly returned to England to become involved in the family's London-based business.

His wife, Milly, ran the farm and even after George's death maintained the land, along with the house cow and pigs. The cottages were then lived in variously by house staff and farm hands.

But in 1943, all was to change. The Oetzmann's only son was killed in the war and everything was handed over to their grandson, Emerson. He was only three.

When his widowed grandmother finally died, the main house, along with the land and cottages were let out, until a teenage Emerson persuaded his mother that they should return to live there.

The buildings were not modernised and as the occupants either died or moved on, the council deemed that the cottages were no longer considered fit for habitation. Since then, the ancient building has been used simply for storage.

Clearing out decades of family clutter, it is clear that Patience Oetzmann has many wistful memories about the old house and fond recollections too about some of its former occupants.

"I've been answering my front door for the last 35 years, dealing with endless inquiries about whether 'the abandoned house' was for sale," said Patience.

"Selling it will give someone a unique and exciting restoration project and preserve an important historical building. It's time for Elms Cottage to look forward into another century."

Elms Cottage will be sold at auction on Wednesday, May 11. The guide price is £240,000 to £260,000.

The auction takes place at 2.30pm in the Amos Hall at Hobbs Parker's main offices at Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford. For more details call 01233 502222.