HISTORIC Compton Acres in Poole, home to some of the UK’s most picturesque gardens, is up for sale.

Current owner Bernard Merna has decided to part ways with the attraction he purchased eight years ago, and is accepting offers in the region of £5million.

The 10-acre site, established in 1924, will remain a tourist attraction as the gardens are listed.

Aside from the Italian Villa, which is a separate business, Compton Acres boasts seven award-winning gardens, restaurant facilities and planning permission for a small hotel.

“There should be no local concern about the future of the gardens,” said a Compton Acres spokesman. “Legal agreements already exist with the council to guarantee the gardens will remain open to the public.

“Access to the gardens and businesses within the retail areas will continue as normal throughout the sale process.

“No jobs at the attraction are under threat in any way in the process of the sale.”

Compton Acres has proved a popular destination with tourists and Dorset residents, with tens of thousands paying to see attractions such as the specialised Italian and ornate Japanese gardens every year.

The spokesman added: “The Italian Villa, run by Beales Gourmet, is a separate business and continues to trade as normal with numbers of bookings for functions and weddings already particularly high for this year.

“Again, any sale of Compton Acres will not affect the ongoing running of the business.”

Estate agent Savills is handling the sale. Kevin Marsh, in its Southampton office, says considerable interest has already been shown.

In 2009, plans for a £4million hotel at Compton Acres were approved by the Borough of Poole.

Planning chiefs gave the green light to a scheme that included the 36-bedroom hotel, five residential apartments and an 18-metre tower with trees on the top.

This structure took inspiration from a 14th-century tower, The Torre Guinigi, at Lucca in northern Italy.