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A-MAZE-ING HOME

Lose yourself in this incredible £1.6million mansion that comes with its own garden maze designed by one of the world’s top puzzle makers

World-renowned maze designer Adrian Fisher put his seven-bed manor - complete with 576 square-foot labyrinth in the garden - up for sale after he and his wife decided to downsize

A STUNNING seven-bed mansion boasting an outdoor swimming pool and a MAZE in the back garden has gone on sale for £1.6m.

Portman Lodge in Dorset was bought in 2002 by Adrian Fisher - dubbed 'the Michael Jordan of maze designers' - and his wife Marie after the couple fell for the Grade II property's vast gardens and Regency architecture.

 Regency-era Portman Lodge is on sale for £1.6m
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Regency-era Portman Lodge is on sale for £1.6mCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Adrian, who has created more than 700 mazes in 40 countries, immediately recruited students at nearby Kingston Maurward College to help plant 900 English yew tree hedges into a stunning 579 square-metre maze.

At the centre is an eight-sided, 16ft tall folly tower, which Adrian built in traditional Dorset style using local flint.

He said: "The beauty of the folly is that it is a building which has no sense or practical purpose. It is totally foolish.

"Every time my grandchildren, or children of our friends, come over they want to run around the maze, play hide and seek, or look out from the tower.

 The property comes with a stunning maze in the back garden, complete with 16-foot folly tower
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The property comes with a stunning maze in the back garden, complete with 16-foot folly towerCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The tower was built in traditonal Dorset style using locally-mined flint
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The tower was built in traditonal Dorset style using locally-mined flintCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The tower contains a Gothic mirrored interior
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The tower contains a Gothic mirrored interiorCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The mansion includes a spacious wine cellar
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The mansion includes a spacious wine cellarCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

"The act of creating the maze was fun with everyone getting involved and there was a real sense of achievement.

"That's the community you're moving into when you come to Dorset.

"It's a rare privilege to have a beautiful garden and living here has been a terrific
experience.

"There are lovely views out of the house, whether it's in the day, dusk or flood lit at night - it's a lovely setting.

 Adrian and Marie are reluctantly selling the property as they no longer need the seven spacious bedrooms
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Adrian and Marie are reluctantly selling the property as they no longer need the seven spacious bedroomsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The mansion also boasts a large swimming pool in the back garden
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The mansion also boasts a large swimming pool in the back gardenCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The house also boasts two shower rooms
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The house also boasts two shower roomsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Adrian and Marie bought the mansion in 2002
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Adrian and Marie bought the mansion in 2002Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The house has seven bedrooms, three reception rooms, two shower rooms, a bathroom and an adjoining two bedroom annexe
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The house has seven bedrooms, three reception rooms, two shower rooms, a bathroom and an adjoining two bedroom annexeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

"I hope that whoever comes to live here will enjoy it as much as we have."

Portman Lodge, on the edge of the village of Durweston, Dorset, overlooks the water meadows of the River Stour.

It was built in the 1830s by Lord Portman, and Adrian and Marie are only the second family to own it.

The house has seven bedrooms, three reception rooms, two shower rooms, a bathroom and an adjoining two bedroom annexe.

 The house was built in the 1830s by Lord Portman, and Adrian and Marie are only the second family to own it
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The house was built in the 1830s by Lord Portman, and Adrian and Marie are only the second family to own itCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The house also has a spacious kitchen
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The house also has a spacious kitchenCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The maze is made up of 900 yew trees
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The maze is made up of 900 yew treesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The house is ideal for a large family
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The house is ideal for a large familyCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

The castellated folly tower, with mirrored interior, was a later addition and provides stunning views over the carefully manicured gardens.

Adrian and Marie decided to sell up after their youngest child left for university, and have put the home - complete with maze - on the market with Savills for £1.65 million.

Realtor Simon Neville-Jones added: "It is rare to find such a fantastic property within easy reach of excellent schooling.

"This house is ideal for a family seeking a well proportioned period residence with superb garden and grounds, and a variety of interesting features including the maze."



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