THE Abbey House Gardens, made famous by the Naked Gardeners, has gone on the open market with a £3.5 million price tag.

Earlier this year it was revealed that the internationally renowned attraction one of the two major tourist hotspots in Malmesbury, would be sold following the marriage breakdown of the couple who spent two decades creating it.

The Grade 1 listed house features the Abbot’s Hall thought to date back to the 13th Century.

Agents have highlighted the “Michelin star English garden, extending to about 3.8 acres, which is the work of the present owners, who with much flair have created a garden which has achieved international acclaim.

“Styling themselves as The Naked Gardeners, the house owners have brought life and colour back to the property, and the business element enables the public to enjoy the fruits of their labour which in turn has boosted the economy of the town.”

Current owners Ian and Barbara Pollard started creating the gardens back in 1996 and their efforts, along with their clothes optional days, won them national and international fame.

Mayor of Malmesbury Sue Poole said the town was worried about what would become of the gardens following the sale.

“It is not the fact that it is changing hands, it is the fact that the business may go and that is a worry for the town.

“It is very, very sad,” she said. “They have worked so very hard together to make the business and it must be heartbreaking now to have to leave it and go somewhere else. They have done so much for the town quite apart from the gardens."

They have brought business into the town and they have supported all sorts of things.”

The house and grounds are being marketed by Strutt and Parker and Savills in Cirencester.