Calke Abbey House and Estate

Built for the Harpur family in 1703, Calke Abbey (often called The House That Time Forgot) has remained virtually unaltered since the death of the last baronet, Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe in 1924. With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.

Discover the tales of an eccentric family who amassed a vast collection of hidden treasures. Visit the beautiful, yet faded, walled gardens and explore the orangery, auricula theatre and the kitchen gardens.

Owned and managed by the National Trust, Calke Abbey is set in beautiful parkland containing ponds, ancient oaks and open pasture.

Calke deer park contains a herd of over one hundred fallow and red deer. The large parkland trees scattered throughout the park are mainly oaks and are remnants of a vast forest that historically covered much of this area. These ‘veteran’ oaks are important for the invertebrates (beetles, flies and bugs) that thrive on them. This is because of the amount of dead timber that occurs both on standing trees and on fallen limbs or trunks on the ground.

Much of Calke Park is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Look out for parkland birds like nuthatch, tree-creeper, little owls and all three species of British woodpeckers. Within the park, areas of bracken are being controlled to allow grasses and herbs to come through. These areas are grazed by longhorn cattle during the autumn and part of the winter.

Toilets are open year round from dawn to dusk. Opening times for the restaurant, shop and Calke Abbey itself vary. Dogs are not permitted in the house or formal gardens but are allowed on leads within the estate.

Description of Facilities

On site toilets, restaurant/cafe (seating 180), licensed bar, gift shop, picnic area, site ranger/tour guide available - pre booking required (please contact for prices).

Disabled Facilities:

Loads to see and do key

Upcoming Events

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Ale Trail
26 May 2013
17:00 to 19:00

A circular walk through the Calke estate with a stop at Tollgate Brewery for some ale tasting and nibbles. 5 mile walk, part of the National Forest Walking Festival. Booking Required on 01332 863822

Craft Skills Day
28 May 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Our building team will help you try your hand at bricklaying, stone carving, joinery and lead work demonstrations. Activities for children and adults. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Calke Alive - 19th Century
29 May 2013
12:30 to 16:00

Meet Scullery maids to squires, boot boys to baronets - they all have a tale to tell.

Normal admission charges apply.

Walking in the Footsteps of...
29 May 2013
14:00 to 15:30

Walk in the footsteps of our wardens and experience a day in the life of our parkland. Forage for things found on the estate. Part of the National Forest Walking Festival. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Calke Camp
01 June 2013 to 02 June 2013
13:00 to 12:00

Enjoy an afternoon of nature activities, camp overnight in the Park and we'll take you on a night walk and share campfire stories. Your tea, supper and breakfast will be sourced from the Calke estate and other local suppliers. Booking Required on 01332 863822 Adult £35 Child £25 Family £100. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Father's Day Forage
16 June 2013
11:00 to 15:30

Find beer near the brewhouses, take the chilli challenge in the gardens and sample some of dad's favourite treats. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

The Garden of Imagination
13 July 2013 to 30 August 2013
10:00 to 16:00

Discover the Garden of Imagination and seek out our wild grass labyrinth. Hide away and weave your way through willow tunnels. Stumble across stories and enter a hive of activity everyday of the school summer holidays. Garden Ticket Required. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Wedding Open Day
14 July 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Come and take a look at The Riding School as a perfect venue for your special day. Meet our partners Honeysuckle and Castle who will tell you all you need to know about getting married at Calke Abbey. More Information: Honeysuckle and Castle, 01332 871654, info@honeysuckleandcastle.co.uk Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

As You Like It, by The Lord Chamberlain's Men
20 July 2013
19:00 to 22:00

This all male troupe of travelling players breathes new life into this summer comedy classic. As You Like It tells the tale of pastoral romance, cross-dressing and love-notes, poetry, gentle satire and slapstick. Booking Required on 01332 863822. Tickets Adult £14, Child £8, Family £45.

Fine Food Fair
04 August 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Celebrate local food that's grown, raised, baked or caught within a 30-mile radius. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and tastings by our Calke chefs. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Quad Summer Nights Film Festival
09 August 2013 to 10 August 2013
19:00 to 22:30

Two nights of film screenings in the spectacular grounds of Calke. Arrive early and bring our own picnic and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Booking Required on 01332 290606 or at http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/

Warden's Craft Skills Day
13 August 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Hands on activities and demonstrations from trimming sheeps feet to helping build a stone wall. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Country Come Dancing
15 August 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Join us for a dance through the centuries in the Riding School. Find out about the history of country dancing and dance the day away. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

The Lost Village of Calke
17 August 2013 to 18 August 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Watch our archaeologists at work and help them piece together the lost village of Calke. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Hidden Estate
12 September 2013
11:00 to 15:00

Hop on a bus tour and with our wardens and delve into the wider estate. Discover the hidden parts of Calke Park. Booking Required on 01332 863822. Tours are at 11am, 1pm and 3pm Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Wedding Fayre
22 September 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Bonhams Valuation Day
25 September 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Bring your items to be valued by experts from Bonhams Auctioneers specialising in silver and jewellery, pictures, ceramics, furniture, clocks and works of art. Valuations: £2 per item or £5 for three items. Normal per person park admission applied (members free)

Caring for Calke's Collection
03 October 2013
10:30 to 14:30

Explore the conservator's workshop and talk to our experts. Find out how they care for our vast collection and get some hands on experience. Includes a coffee and cookie. Booking Required on 01332 863822. Tickets £5. Sessions are at 10.30am & 2.30pm. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Fungal Foray
12 October 2013
10:30 to 12:30

Join us on this fun walk around Calke Park looking at different types of fungi. Afterwards enjoy a delicious soup and roll followed with a home made cookie and hot drink in our restaurant. Booking Required on 01332 863822 Tickets Adult £10.50, Child £6. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Apple Day
13 October 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Join us at one of our most popular events and celebrate the English apple and orchards in our beautiful gardens. There will be juicings, tastings, puzzles and apple advice, something for all the family. Garden Ticket Required. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Deer Park Walk
19 October 2013
14:00 to 16:00

Join one of our wardens and enter the Deer Pen at Calke which is usually not accessible to the public. Enjoy a drink and a cookie after this fascinating walk. Booking Required on 01332 863822. Adult £7.50 Child £3.50. Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

Wedding Open Day
20 October 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Fine Food Fair
27 October 2013
11:00 to 16:00

Pumpkin Party
31 October 2013
11:00 to 15:30

Buy a pumpkin at Calke or bring your own. Decorate it in your own style and add it to our fabulous display. Garden Ticket Required Normal per person park admission applies (members free)

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