Calke Abbey
- from GBP 15
- Ideal for kids, teens, dogs
- Good on a rainy day
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What's on here
October Half Term Scarecrow Competition Trail
Until 1 Nov
On Screen at Calke Abbey
Until 1 Nov
Spooky Tunnels at Calke Abbey
Until 1 Nov
Local Treasure, Global Connections: Museum Room Display
Until 1 Nov
Capturing Childhood in the Nurseries at Calke
Until 1 Nov
1-to-1 Cycling Lessons: Learn to Ride at Calke Explore
Until 1 Nov
Why go
- The Museum Room displays the State Bed’s embroidered Chinese silk hangings, preserved in near-perfect condition after more than 200 years hidden away.
- The 1,000-year-old Old Man of Calke stands among hundreds of veteran trees.
- Walk or cycle the accessible, figure-of-eight Tramway Trail for views across the estate.
Opening hours
Today08:00 – 18:00Show all
Don't miss
- Nursery photographsLarge photographs introduce the Harpur Crewe family and show how their children lived.Nurseries
- Photography collectionSee items from the house’s photography collection with members of the house team.House
- Carriages and agricultural toolsOld carriages and farm implements are displayed in the former stable and farm courtyard.Stable and farm courtyard
- Restored tramway tunnelThis restored tunnel belonged to the Ticknall Tramway, which carried limestone from the estate’s quarries to the Ashby Canal.Beneath the access road
Know before you go
- No booking, dress-code, bag or security-check rules are specified.
Tips for your visit
- Cycle hire and guided rides are available for exploring the Tramway Trail.
- Bird hides are at the main car park and Calke Explore.
- Join a seasonal guided walk led by the ranger team.
- A mobility buggy runs between the ticket office, house and gardens.
- The house and orangery have steps; the grotto and ice house are not wheelchair accessible.
With kids
- Calke Explore has natural play areas, facilities and refreshments. It is a starting point for estate walking and cycling routes.
- Young children can run, climb and play in the woodland play areas.
- Fallow deer roam the parkland and may be seen grazing.
Interesting facts4
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A tunnel links the former brewhouse in the outbuildings to the main house.
Calke Abbey - Wikipedia -
The Tudor manor forms the core of the present house, with parts still visible in its courtyard.
Calke Abbey - Wikipedia -
The former deer park is a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for wood pasture and deadwood invertebrates.
Calke Abbey - Wikipedia -
The walled garden’s former physic garden, once used for medicinal plants, is now a kitchen garden.
Calke Abbey - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Calke Abbey, DerbyshireBob Astill
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National Trust - Calke Abbey.Laura Foulds Moody
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Deer At Calke AbbeyderelictCHEESEBURGER
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Calke Abbey, The National Trust ,Ticknall,Derbyshire,21st,June,2010,E…Nick Short
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Calke Abbey - the 'un-stately home'Osprey Drones
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Bringing rare dormice back to Calke Abbey in DerbyshireNational Trust
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HumanKind art installation at Calke AbbeyUniversity of Leicester
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Garden of Imagination at Calke AbbeyNT Midlands
History
Calke was a religious priory before becoming the Harpur family home for 12 generations. Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe collected natural history specimens. After his death, Hilda Harpur Crewe sold part of his bird, butterfly and fish collection to pay inheritance taxes.
- c. 1100Harold de Leke founded the estate church and gave it to the priory.
- 1115–1120Richard d’Avranches founded Calke Priory, an Augustinian house dedicated to St Giles.
- 1537The priory’s lands were leased to John Prest for 99 years.
- 1622Sir Henry Harpur bought the estate.
- 1701–1704Sir John Harpur rebuilt the house as a Baroque mansion.
Show all
- 1841The house received its last major redecoration.
- 1915The Ticknall Tramway closed.
- 1985The estate passed to the National Trust to settle inheritance tax.
How to get there
- ParkingThe main car park is beside the ticket office; another car park is at Calke Explore.
Accessibility
- Step-free entry Accessible routes reach the gardens, the house ground floor, restaurant, café and shop.
- Accessible trail The figure-of-eight Tramway Trail is accessible and accommodates walking and cycling.
Sources: Calke Abbey - Wikipedia · Calke Abbey | Derbyshire | National Trust · Events at Calke Abbey · Days out with kids | Calke Abbey | National Tru… · Calke Abbey - Wikipedia · Abbaye de Calke - Wikipedia · checked 24 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +441332863822
Questions and answers
Why is Calke Abbey called an abbey?
The house took the name in 1808. It stands on the site of an Augustinian priory, but the Baroque mansion was never an abbey.
What church overlooks Calke Abbey’s estate?
A restored 19th-century church with Gothic Revival windows and Harpur family monuments overlooks the estate. It remains consecrated and occasionally holds services.
Has Calke Abbey appeared in films or television?
The estate has featured in Outlander and Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
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