Enormous 150-year-old orphanage with 28 bedrooms is on the market for £3million

An order of nuns have put their 150-year-old home up for sale with an asking price of £3m.

The Carmel of the Holy Spirit, in Bradfield on the edge of the Peak District, comes with 28 bedrooms, two cemeteries and 18 acres of land. Known locally as Kirk Edge Convent, it was originally built as an orphanage and then used as an industrial school for girls.

But it's been used as a monastery ever since it was gifted to the order by the Duke of Norfolk, whose sister was a Carmelite nun, in 1910.

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The Association of British Carmels told the BBC the decision to sell came about after being faced with heating costs of £30,000 a year, adding the nine remaining nuns would be relocated to one of its other Carmels in the UK.

Speaking last month the order's president said it was a 'difficult time for the sisters, who are busy preparing to leave'.

The Carmelites hope is that the convent is bought by another religious organisation and said all proceeds from the sale would be invested in the organisation's other properties.

Because the Carmelites are a closed order, meaning the nuns are separated from outside life, the building retains many of its original features.

Hunters Estate Agents say the property would be an 'ideal purchase for a religious organisation, holiday camp, hotel and spa or wedding venue'. But added, that subject to planning permission, it could be redeveloped into housing.

It adds: "The buildings are situated within just under 18 acres of land where there are three hermitages and two cemeteries with the latter relating to benefactors and sisters."