MULBERRY founder Roger Saul is selling his family home, Abbotts Sharpham, near Glastonbury.

The estate, dating from the Bronze Age is being marketed for £8million through Carter Jonas Rural and Roderick Thomas, in affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate.

It includes a 15th century manor house, cottages, deer park, orchards, organic farm and a mill in over 268 acres.

Its traditions, architecture and history were part of the inspiration behind Mulberry.

The first lot, which is available as a whole or in lots, boasts sublime gardens, indoor swimming pool, tennis court, stables, cider orchard, meadows, and 44-acre woodland.

The second lot, the 24-acre Mill complex, has its own private drive, includes farm buildings and timber clad buildings with an arched 18th century stone fronted showroom. There’s also a solar plant, carp pond, fruit orchard, meadows and a 250-tree organic walnut orchard and production plant.

A further 200 of organic arable pastureland are divided into two further lots.

Roger Saul and his wife Monty first bought part of Abbots Sharpham in 1977 and then acquired the remainder of the estate.

They then embarked on a historical restoration. In 1993 4,000 English hardwood trees were planted. In 2003 the farmland was taken organic and restored, the deer park created, walnut and fruit tree orchards planted with miles of avenues and hedges put in. In 2007 a purpose-built spelt mill was created with offices and warehouse.  Today the estate features stocks of red deer and Shropshire sheep as well as the spelt that gave birth to the Sharpham Park organic food brand.

Mr Saul said: "Over the years we have uncovered more of its history and heritage. As well as all the original features in the older parts of the house, underneath the surface was an historic gem waiting to be uncovered; both house and park alike having been divided up over the generations by feuding siblings.”

With views of the famous Glastonbury Tor, Abbotts Sharpham is steeped in history, dating back to 957.

It was owned by the Abbots of Glastonbury for over 300 years. Richard Whiting, the last abbot of Glastonbury was taken from his favourite kitchen at Sharpham in 1539 to be tried and then hung, drawn and quartered by Henry VIII’s commissioners.

Sir Edward Seymour the Elizabethan poet was born there in 1543 and in 1707 Henry Fielding the author of Tom Jones was born in the Harlequin chamber.

In the 1990s Mr Saul debuted the Mulberry Home interiors collection with Abbots Sharpham as the backdrop. It launched worldwide in Elle Decoration’s first edition by its famous editor Ilse Crawford. Many of the features of the collection form the basis of the décor of the house today.

The main house features six reception rooms, an orangery, a farmhouse kitchen, domestic offices, an estate office, eight bedrooms and five bathrooms.

David Hebditch, Partner at Carter Jonas Rural, said: "“This is a stunning example of country living at its finest.

"It represents a very unique opportunity to acquire a family home that has been cherished and restored for nearly half a century, by a famous owner.

"A real gem with an extraordinary past, Abbots Sharpham will always be distinctive with original period features, grand rooms, charming gardens all set in the most exceptional location. It’s extremely rare for a home of this magnitude to be available on the open market.”

For further information, contact joint agents Carter Jonas Rural on 01823 428590 or visit www.carterjonas.co.uk or Roderick Thomas on 01749 670079.