AN independent school in Somerset that closed a year ago due to falling numbers is on the market.

The entire freehold of the former Bruton School for Girls is being offered on a guide price of £9million.

Interested parties are being invited to bid for the whole site of individual lots.

The trustees of Bruton School for Girls have instructed the education and charities team of global property consultancy Knight Frank to bring to market the former site at Sunny Hill, Bruton.

The property is located in an outstanding rural setting and is the rarest of opportunities to come to the market.

It comprises a wide variety of buildings that extend to in excess of 125,000sq ft and include teaching, boarding, administrative, staff accommodation and recreational facilities, all set within 34 acres of grounds.

Sunny Hill occupies a west facing elevated position with far reaching views across countryside. Just two miles away are the hotel, restaurant and gardens of The Newt, which was once the home of the Hobhouse family, who were founders of the school.

The boarding and day school closed at the end of the summer term 2022.

READ MORE: Bruton School for Girls set to close.

The operation of the Sunny Hill Nursery, which is part of the Bruton School for Girls charity and located on part of the site, continues to operate and will be unaffected by the sale.

Emma Cleugh, head of the education and charities team at Knight Frank, said: “This is the rarest of opportunities for an incoming purchaser to acquire a beautifully situated collection of buildings with potential to create something really special in the future.

"Subject to the necessary planning consents, the property would be suitable for a mix of uses and development given its scale and this could include redevelopment for residential or leisure use, such as homes, seniors housing or a hotel.”

A spokesperson commenting on behalf of the trustees of Bruton School for Girls, said: “We are extremely mindful of the significance of the site to the local community, and any offers will be considered in this context.

"The trustees intend to use the proceeds of the sale to further the objects of the charity, which is to promote the education in Bruton of girls of all school ages and of boys aged under eight.”