The property will be sold by auction on 25 May

Nine-bedroom Metherell Towers in Beaworthy is being sold alongside the camp which is based on the home's land.

Opened in 1936 the North Devon Club of Beaworthy is thought to be one of the oldest nudist colonies in the country.

It was set up 68 years ago by journalist, writer and photographer Edward Hemingway, a cousin of writer Ernest Hemingway.

Discreetly positioned

The property is being sold in four separate lots with the main house being sold with a guide price of �250,000.

The nine-acre nudist camp, which has permission for 110 static caravans, is discreetly set back among the trees and established shrubbery and comes with its own clubhouse.

It has a guide price of �150,000.

An orchard and outbuildings are also being sold separately.

Gordon Millar of Stags, the agency handling the sale, said it was a highly unusual property.

More money needed

He said: "I don't know of any other naturist clubs in the West Country, certainly not tucked away in sleepy north Devon."

He said there had been a great deal of interest in the property including from members of the club, who want to keep the colony as a going concern.

He said: "I should think they should get together to try to buy what is effectively their club."

He says the house "is definitely habitable" but estimates it needs between �180,000 and �200,000 spending on it.