ONE of Oxfordshire's most palatial hotels and wedding venues has gone up for sale – and is set to be snapped by investors from the Far East.

Grade-II listed Eynsham Hall went on the market this week, the asking price a cool £8.25m.

Christie & Co, who are selling the 135-bedroom mansion, have said they are already getting strong interest from potential buyers in Japan and China.

Director Jeremy Jones said: "The interest from the Far East will be strong because of the demand for such heritage properties.

"Bicester Village [which has long been a popular destination for Asian tourists in Oxfordshire] is easily accessible from Eynsham which will also increase the profile/ interest in the property."

Christie & Co said it 'fully anticipated' that Enysham Hall would continue operating as a hotel and venue, and more than likely be enhanced.

The 1908 building, designed by renowned architect Sir Ernest George, is being sold by its current owner Richard Upton, co-founder of property firm Cathedral Group PLC.

He acquired Eynsham Hall in 2005 and has since invested more than £3m in an extensive refurbishment program.

The main hall has been revamped and now boasts 'unique, luxury bedrooms', a new brasserie and, according to Christie & Co, 'sumptuous country house ambiance'.

Some of the accommodation in the grounds and conference facilities have also been refurbished.

The comfortable country house feel inside is now juxtaposed with an 'extraordinary' art collection including works by Banksy, Gavin Turk and Sir Peter Blake.

Mr Upton and his company have also won planning permission during their tenure to create 80 new guest bedrooms, purpose-built conference facilities with capacity for 250, and a new spa and swimming pool complex with direct access to the main hall.

But having embarked on the overhaul, Mr Upton then merged the property side of Cathedral with publicly-quoted property company Development Securities Plc, now rebranded as U+I.

As the 'hotel portfolio' was not part of the sale, Mr Upton said he was now 'disposing' of Eynsham Hall to focus his role as deputy chief executive of U+I.

He commented: "We have taken Eynsham Hall to a new level of turnover and profitability but there is still a lot more potential for this magnificent hotel.

"Sadly, I am not in a position to dedicate the time to take Eynsham Hall to the next stage."

He added: "This is a fantastic opportunity for an investor to acquire a gem of a property run by an extraordinary team."

Christie & Co are jointly marketing the hall with Nick Sweeney.

For more information, or to put in a bid, go to christie.com