Inside extraordinary 12-bedroom country mansion as former school goes up for sale for first time in 200 years

A HUGE countryside mansion that comes with it’s own tennis court and a library is up for sale for the first time in 200 years. The stunning Grade I Listed Nunnykirk Hall in Northumberland, which boasts 12 bedrooms, private offices and a music room, is on the market for £1.5 million. BNPSNunnykirk Hall is a Grade I listed Country House[/caption] BNPSFor the last 45 years it has been occupied as a school[/caption] Built in 1825 for the wealthy Orde family, who amassed a fortune breeding racehorses in Morpeth, the Georgian mansion has 20,000sq ft of living space over three storeys. The house was turned into a school for children with learning difficulties in the 1970s, but was shut this summer because of a falling number of pupils attending. Whilst the house designed by architect John Dobson is in need of some modernisation, it could undoubtedly be transformed into a stately family home again. The owners have retained the original period features which include marble fireplaces, coving, iconic columns and elaborate plasterwork. READ MORE IN MONEY NEWS GOING UP Pound jumps as Kwasi Kwarteng scraps plan to abolish 45p top rate tax NO BENEFIT I’m a single mum on Universal Credit - I eat one meal a day to keep electric on Andrew Black, from estate agent Savills, said: “Nunnykirk is in a very private position. “This will be the first time it has been sold since it was built for the same family. “Despite the fact it was used as a school for 45 years, they have left intact all the wonderful features like cornicing. “The main core of the house is still very much a family home and you have options as to what you want to do with the wing at the back, you have flexibility.” Most read in Money CASH IN Exact date you’ll receive £324 cost of living helping hand GOING UP Pound jumps as Kwasi Kwarteng scraps plan to abolish 45p top rate tax TAKE NOTE Martin Lewis issues mortgage warning to home buyers as interest rates set to soar DRIP DROP Thousands to get water bill discount as 11 suppliers fined - see if you qualify 'WE GET IT' Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng ditch scrapping 45p tax rate after backlash THAT'S A WRAP Quality Street axes iconic bright plastic wrappers on chocs after 86 years Black added: “It is going to cost money to refurbish and that is reflected in the guide price but it is a nice footprint for someone to put their own stamp on.“It’s a modernisation project rather than taking on something that’s a wreck.“Nunnykirk has been called the finest of Dobson’s early houses – he built many of the country houses in Northumberland.” The property sits in 7.5 acres of land – which has been in ownership of the family since 1716. Read More on The Sun WORST NOEL I'm so skint I'll buy my Xmas presents from Poundland…I go without electricity CHANGE OF MIND Major change to childcare rules set to save money for parents Privately situated in a wooded valley, the land includes a large mature walled landscaped garden, former bothy, tennis court and lawns that lead down to the River Font. There is also a playing field. BNPSThe dining room and library are both well-proportioned reception rooms[/caption] BNPSMany original period features have been retained including feature fireplaces, ornate plaster work, cornicing and beautiful woodwork[/caption] BNPSOne of the features includes a porte-cochere with ionic columns leading to the outer hall[/caption] BNPSThe mansion sits in 7.5 acres of land in this unspoilt rural location[/caption]