History
In 1536 the Nunnykirk estate, including a tower, was owned by the abbots of Newminster Abbey but fell to the Crown on the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1610 it was granted by the Crown to Sir Ralph Grey. Grey later sold it to the Ward family of Morpeth, Northumberland, Morpeth who built a manor house. In 1771 Ann Ward, the heiress of the Nunnykirk estate married William Orde, (the half brother of Sir John Orde, 1st Baronet, Admiral Sir John Orde). Their son William Orde, Jr. (1774–1843) rebuilt the house in a grand style designed by architect John Dobson (architect), John Dobson in 1825. William Orde, Jr. established a racing stud farm, stud at Nunnykirk and both he and his nephew and heir Charles William Orde (1810–1875) enjoyed considerable success as breeders. Their most successful horses were Beeswing (horse), ''Beeswing'', ''Nunnykirk'' (winner of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, 2,000 Guineas), and ''Newminster (horse), Newminster'' (winner of the St. Leger Stakes, St. Leger 1851). Since 1977, the house was occupied by a special needs school, known as Nunnykirk Centre for Dyslexia. The School closed in July 2022. {{authority control Country houses in Northumberland Grade I listed houses Grade I listed buildings in Northumberland Special schools in Northumberland Educational institutions established in 1977 1977 establishments in England Private schools in Northumberland