BURNHAM ABBEY, which was originally founded for a community of Augustinian canonesses in the 13th century, is on the market for £3.5 million after the final ten nuns moved out.

The Abbey has most recently been the home of an Anglican community, the Society of the Precious Blood. Of the remaining members, seven are now in nursing or care homes, and three have moved to live with the Community of the Sisters of the Church at their convent in Gerrards Cross.

The Abbey was built in 1266, in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, by the brother of King Henry III, reportedly as an act of thanksgiving after he was freed from captivity after the Battle of Lewes. The Abbey was built for a community of nuns who lived there until the Reformation. It became a private house, and then a farm, until it was sold in 1916 to the Society.

The Society of the Precious Blood (SPB) began as an active community in 1905, founded by Mother Millicent Mary in Birmingham. It adopted the monastic rule of St Augustine. But, as the Community grew, it adopted a stricter life of prayer, and, in 1916, 650 years after the first dedication of Burnham Abbey, SPB became a contemplative community at the Abbey.

Alastair Hunt, an SPB trustee, said: “As the Sisters of the Society have become older, it has become clear that Burnham Abbey is no longer a suitable home for the community. The SPB Sisters and trustees are seeking to find a suitable alternative charitable use for Burnham Abbey. This may, however, prove not to be possible. With this in mind, and conscious of our responsibility as charity trustees to make best use of SPB’s assets in accordance with its charitable objectives, we are also testing the market.

“A final decision regarding the future of Burnham Abbey remains to be made.”

The charity’s objectives include providing support to help “spiritual, emotional, and psychological health, and public education in the history and archaeology of the Abbey site”, he said.

The estate agents Knight Frank, who are marketing the Abbey, describe it as one of the best surviving medieval religious houses in Buckinghamshire.

The ancient buildings have been restored and maintained, and include an 18th-century timber barn and granary, Tudor walls and fireplaces, the ruins of a medieval infirmary and frater, and a three-bedroom cottage. There are also gardens stretching to almost three acres.