The former Farnham home of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie is on the market for £1.1 million after almost four decades in the same family.

Glenn and Margie O’Brien moved into Lobswood Manor in Lower Bourne in September 1988 and raised their three children there.

Now, after nearly four decades, the couple have decided to downsize and put the historic five-bedroom property on the market.

Mr O’Brien said: “We bought in 1988. So it's the first time in nearly 40 years it's coming onto the market.

“Our children all grew up here and they went to the Tilford Village School and then on to various other places. And it's just been a lovely family house to live in.”

Barrie House, part of the original Black Lake Cottage and now incorporated into Lobswood Manor off Tilford Road, was occupied by Barrie and his wife, actress Mary Ansell, between 1901 and 1908.

It was during his time there that Barrie wrote The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island, widely regarded as an important precursor to Peter Pan.

The property also became a meeting place for figures from London’s literary and theatrical circles.

Arthur Conan Doyle, A.A. Milne and P.G. Wodehouse were among those associated with Barrie’s Allahakbarries cricket team.

Mr and Mrs O’Brien have spent decades researching the property's history and collecting material connected with Barrie, including books, photographs, newspaper cuttings and other memorabilia.

They say living in the house has given them “a unique sense of history” and sparked a fascination with the literary world that surrounded Barrie.

The property retains a number of historic features, including an inglenook fireplace and stone fireplace, and has gardens of around 0.64 acres and a self-contained annexe.

Mr O’Brien, who is in his 70s, said: “We've loved our time every minute of it, honestly, but we are downsizing.”

The property is being marketed for £1.1 million through Savills’ Farnham office.