A popular New Forest activities centre, with links to Girlguiding on the Isle of Wight, has gone on the market for £4m, even as the battle to save it continues.

Foxlease in Lyndhurst is one of five centres around the country being sold off by Girlguiding UK and it is being marketed by Savills estate agents.

Island-based guides maintain a room there and some are members of the Friends of Foxlease supporter's group.

Scores of Islanders have visited and camped on the historic estate building in the century since it was donated to GirlGuiding UK.

Isle of Wight County Press: The main building on the Foxlease site is a Georgian mansionThe main building on the Foxlease site is a Georgian mansion (Image: Savills)

Now, the tree-lined site at Clay Hill is being sold as a whole or in two lots.

Lot one has a guide price of £2.5m and includes the Grade II-listed Princess Mary House, which has 23 bedrooms and is the main building on the 65-acre estate. Also included is a three-bedroom bungalow, camping facilities and an outdoor activity area.

Lot two, up for £1.5m, comprises three cottages.

In 1924, Foxlease hosted Guiding's first world camp and it is described as having Georgian charm.

Read more: Isle of Wight Girlguiding to lose Hampshire's Foxlease site

Community bid to buy part of Girlguiding UK's Foxlease site

In a bid to buy the main part of the site and save it from closure, Foxie's Future, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) which has no links to Girlguiding UK, has been set up.

Its statement said: "Through Crowdfunding and other fundraising, Foxie's Future has raised approximately £78,200, with further pledges totalling £20,000.

"In addition, the charity has access to a further £150,000 of interest-free community lending.

"We have a number of grant applications pending consideration which, if approved, would equate to at least a further £2m of capital funding."

Isle of Wight County Press: The training and activities centre is ome of five sites being sold by Girlguiding UKThe training and activities centre is ome of five sites being sold by Girlguiding UK (Image: Savills)

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Revealing they have developed a three-year business plan, those behind Foxie's Future have also issued a rallying cry.

They said: "We need you to donate, to fundraise, to join the Foxie's Family, and to keep spreading the word. Your support could, quite genuinely, make all the difference to our success.

"We'll keep going for this goal and for the next generation of Foxlease and we hope you'll join us."

Nationally, the planned closure of the five Girlguiding centres, has put around 100 roles at risk.

Foxlease is only available to be booked out until December 31 and all 2024 bookings have been cancelled and refunded.

The Savills brochure describes the site as an "extraordinarily rare" opportunity to acquire a Georgian estate in the New Forest, adding the raft of accommodation "offers a range of potential alternative uses, subject to planning permission".

Isle of Wight County Press: Buildings on the 65-acre Foxlease site include Princess Margaret LodgeBuildings on the 65-acre Foxlease site include Princess Margaret Lodge (Image: Savills)

It reads: “Princess Mary House is located at the centre of the estate.

“The Grade II listed house was built in 1792 and offers attractive and well-proportioned principal rooms with floor to ceiling height windows.

“Further accommodation and self-catering facilities are provided within Princess Margaret Lodge, The Barn and The Coach House."