With its gabled, late-Victorian red-brick exterior and oak-panelled interior, Cournswood House could almost be Bletchley Park, the English country house at the heart of the recent Oscar-nominated drama The Imitation Game, about the cracking of Germany's wartime Enigma code. 

So it is appropriate that at least two of Cournswood's long-term residents have had strong Bletchley connections.

The first was wartime Naval cryptographer and Enigma codebreaker Dillwyn Knox, who bought it in 1921 and lived there until his death in 1943. 

His funeral was attended by many from Bletchley Park, and a memorial stone to Knox can be found bordering the property.

And the current owner, businesswoman Sharon Constancon, is related to the Leon family who once owned Bletchley Park.

'I only discovered this when I went on a visit to Bletchley Park with my uncle,' says Sharon. 'The Leon family donated the building to the Government in 1937 for use as a code-breaking centre.'

While both are in Buckinghamshire, Cournswood House is in the south of the county - in ten acres of secluded woodlands in the picturesque village of North Dean - while Bletchley Park is in the town of Bletchley in the north, 20 miles away.

During the Second World War at Bletchley Park, Dillwyn Knox led the team that made the first breaks into the code Germany was using, and he encouraged Alan Turing - the subject of The Imitation Game - in his work there. 

Although Knox does not feature in the new movie, he was portrayed by actor Richard Johnson in the 1996 television film Breaking The Code, which starred Derek Jacobi as Turing and Prunella Scales as his wife Sara.

Cracking mysteries seems to be something Knox enjoyed in his private life too, as novelist Agatha Christie was a good friend and often visited Cournswood.

'I fell in love with Cournswood House the moment I saw it,' says Sharon, who bought it in 2003. 'It's an outstanding property with lots of potential.'

Apart from the main house, there are two cottages, offices, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym, and woodland with lakes, Japanese-style bridges, waterfalls and fountains. 

The pool is in a glasshouse, where vines thrive in the heated environment.

'The grapes are perfect for making chutney,' says Sharon. A separate glasshouse houses the Jacuzzi and a herb garden.

There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms (two en suite) and five reception rooms. The large drawing room has high ceilings, ornate cornicing and a fireplace with carved wooden mantel and surround.
Double doors open on to a triple-tiered terrace, with an open barbecue, that overlooks the lakes and woodlands.

In the dining room, solid parquet flooring continues through to the serving room, reached through a pair of oak double doors.

The modern kitchen is a chef's delight, with Gaggenau and Miele ovens.

In the centre is an island incorporating a breakfast bar and storage units. 'I love entertaining and the kitchen offers everything you could possibly want,' says Sharon.

The reception hall features a sweeping staircase to the first floor, where there are the bedrooms and bathrooms as well as two dressing rooms and a TV/cinema room.
The master bedroom opens on to a circular balcony with stunning views over the gardens, lakes and woods.

In the library, still concealed behind one of the wall panels, is Knox's private safe.

One of the property's cottages overlooks the lakes, while the other is on the edge of the woods.

'Both cottages are ideal for short- or long-term lets or for staff, friends or family visits,' says Sharon.

At the entrance to the property there are electric gates with majestic stone golden eagles perched on top of pillars.

'I'm moving to downsize,' says Sharon. 'I'll miss the privacy, security and tranquillity, not to mention the wildlife, such as deer, red kites and ducks.'

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