Living in a grade I listed property which people pay to visit is the stuff of fairy tales, although getting there can involve an awful lot of hard work and determination.

Award-winning TV and film producer Justin Bodle, who bought Groombridge Place, near Tunbridge Wells, 15 years ago, is the first to admit that – but the pride at owning it never diminishes.

“I bought Groombridge Place 15 years ago and spent 10 years renovating the house both inside and out,” he said. “It took so long because everything had to be done so carefully and I wanted to preserve exactly all the features and the stunning panelling. The panelling alone took two years to renovate.

“When I came to see it, it was in the pouring rain and it just instantly made me fall in love with it, as it does for many people. I spent a year trying to buy it and finally when the owner sold it to me I was so happy. It is so English a country home, so stunning a home.”

Living somewhere like Groombridge had been a lifelong dream for Justin, who started out selling airtime at Thames Television, went on to bring the world Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show and is now an internationally recognised producer. “I was lucky enough to grow up in another stunning home at Lower Slaughter Manor in Gloucestershire,” he said. “My parents threw me out of the door at 17 and sold the manor. I decided that I would do whatever it took to have a house for my children like I had grown up in. It took 25 years of hard, hard work before I could buy Groombridge. Yes it is a fairy tale but my own fairy tale. I am one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to live in such stunning home.”

Groombridge is where Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley was shot in 2005 – although not by Justin – and he used it as a location for his own 2009 mini series The Day of the Triffids, starring Natasha Richardson, Eddie Izzard and Vanessa Redgrave.

His work today includes running Purecom Entertainment International and The Hot House, which supports and invests in British talent in the business. He said: “British actors are really incredible and most cut their teeth on British television.”

Now working on several projects, one is a feature film shooting in the jungles of China later this year, about naturalist and conservationist Ruth Harkness who helped to save the panda from extinction.

He said: “This is a huge project which I have been working on for five years already and it will be almost seven by the time it’s in our cinemas.”

Justin brings a small slice of Hollywood to Kent. He said: “I am lucky to have many friends – some celebrity and many not. All are the same once you take the cameras away! We are all celebrities to people that matter to us.”

GROOMBRIDGE PLACE

Until Wednesday, August 31, Groombridge Place presents: The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grew Up, transforming the attraction near Tunbridge Wells into the world of J.M. Barrie’s well-loved book.

The historical gardens and estate will have popular characters from the story performing, with plays including Bed Time At The Darcy’s, a 15 minute interactive performance; Hook’s Hideout, also 15 minutes and Pan’s Journey To Neverland, a 45 minute spectacle. Young visitors can also join in at Tiger Lily and The Crocodile’s workshop and sing, dance and play and meet the characters who will be wandering the grounds throughout the day, as well as get their face painted or take a boat ride up the canal. For details go to groombridgeplace.com