£30,000 a month to rent - but you do get the lake

Rents in London are known to be on the rise, but only a tenant with exceptionally deep pockets will be able to afford Gordon House.

The Grade II* home in Richmond is thought to be the rental market's most expensive London suburban property yet. It will cost £30,000 a month, or £360,000 a year.

The Queen Anne-style property has eight bedrooms, a 47ft-long ballroom, a library, and a wing designed by classical architect Robert Adam. There is parking for 11 cars, staff accommodation and landscaped gardens.

Estate agent Knight Frank, which is marketing Gordon House, believes it could appeal to a family needing a property to stay in while their own residence is refurbished, or perhaps as a corporate let. It might also attract a sports fan seeking a 2012 Olympics crash pad.

Ruth Barr, of Knight Frank Wimbledon, said: "Gordon House is a truly special property, partly because of its history, scale and grandeur but mainly because of its position on the Thames with views over Richmond Deer Park."

Gordon House was used as Brunel University office space until it was bought in 2002 by developer Octagon, which, guided by English Heritage, masterminded its restoration. Octagon sold it on to Private Property Group, but the recession meant PPG's £25million price tag was too high. A British buy-to-let investor paid £15million.

Gordon House could set a record for a suburban property but a Middle Eastern businessman has just agreed to pay £55,000 a week for a Knightsbridge penthouse.