A 13th-century abbey near Abingdon is for sale for £2.75m to prevent a rural retreat from being forced to move.

The abbey is owned by the charity, The Abbey Sutton Courtenay, which runs it as a centre for contemplation. However, the Grade One listed abbey and additional buildings are in a poor state and need urgent renovation.

To continue using the building, the charity is looking for a buyer who is prepared to buy the abbey - and lease it back to the charity for at least 30 years.

The trust has secured £1.8m of Lottery Heritage funding, provided they raise £1.5m by March 30, 2008. The proposed works also include the refurbishment and extension of the existing residential block.

Chris Wilmshurst, a partner of Kemp and Kemp Property Consultants, who is handling the sale and leaseback, said: "This is a most unusual proposition.

"The buyer will be saving a piece of national heritage and ensuring the ongoing use of the abbey, getting a building that will have £3.5m spent on it and at the same time acquiring a sound investment."

The trust wants to sell the grounds and buildings, but not their business, to secure the lottery funding and to raise further funds to ensure the preservation of the historic abbey.

It is a requirement of the Heritage Lottery Fund that the charity remains as tenants for at least 30 years.

Mr Wilmshurst added: "Even when the market dips and slows, property is always a sound medium to long-term proposition, especially when the property is as historic and desirable as the abbey."

For sale are the original abbey with its magnificent great hall, sitting rooms, kitchens, offices and six bedrooms; a guest house with 20 bed spaces in 14 bedrooms and further outbuildings and barns.

There are four acres of lawns, a walled organic vegetable garden, cottage garden and woodlands.

Mr Wilmshurt added: "The guide price is £2.75m but we expect to exceed this figure. Despite 33 years' experience in the property market I've never come across an opportunity like it."

Abbey acting director Adrian Rance said: "A possible buyer will not only become the owner of a major Grade I-listed building but also will contribute to the transformation of the lives of the many people who come to the abbey."