Calke Abbey

About

With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey, the un-stately home, is unlike other great country estates. Inside the Baroque mansion, you’ll find a contrast between decadence and dereliction, echoing the story of a country house in dramatic decline. There’s always something new to discover, with a vast and unique collection at Calke Abbey and new displays on show throughout the year. Visit the Calke Abbey website to find out what’s on.

But it is far from a place where time stands still: the historic parkland is home to woodlands, wetlands, hay meadows, and areas of National Nature Reserve. The parkland supports an array of different wildlife, including Calke’s herd of red and fallow deer and a flock of rare- bread Portland sheep. There are lots of ways to explore the parkland with a variety of waymarked walks to choose from, including short circular walks and longer hikes around the wider estate.

Discover the walled garden, with new displays to admire every season. Visit the Physic Garden and take in beds bursting with seasonal produce and colour, a glasshouse vinery, and a productive orchard, echoing the history of Calke’s working garden. Other highlights include a rare surviving auricula theatre, a Georgian Orangery, and faded glasshouses.

Head to Calke Explore for a bigger adventure and go wild in the natural play area and spend the afternoon climbing, swinging, and spinning. Or hire a bike from cycle hire and enjoy a smooth ride along the multi-use Tramway Trail, perfect for all ages and abilities.

There’s plenty of places to refuel after your adventure, with a shop, second-hand bookshop, restaurant, café, and refreshment kiosk at Calke Explore available.

Accessibility 

Designated accessible parking in the main car park and at Calke Explore. Accessible toilets available in the stableyards, gardens and at Calke Explore. Wheelchair and tramper available to borrow. Gardens and parkland have hard gravel paths and some steep slopes.

The route to the ticket office, restaurant, cafe, second-hand bookshop and shop is level and dressed with gravel. The route to the house and Pleasure grounds is a tarmac surfaced path with a steep slope.

Wheelchairs and trampers are available for visitors’ use. Wheelchairs and trampers can be borrowed for no extra charge, subject to availability from the Ticket Office. We recommend booking one in advance. Trampers can be used throughout the gardens and areas of the parkland.

An induction loop is available at Calke in the ticket office, house, restaurant, café, shop and at Calke Explore by counter of the refreshment kiosk.

Accessible routes are available to the gardens, ground floor of the house, around the restaurant, café, and shop. At Calke Explore, there is a short wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly trail and the multi-use Tramway Trail. 

Large print and braille guides can be borrowed from the ticket office.