Name: Calke Abbey
Rating: 5.0

Calke Abbey

Main Street, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire DE73 7JF, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Calke Abbey 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 powerful stories of a 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. Escape into the ancient and fragile habitats of Calke Park and its National Nature Reserve.

Price starts from £15.40 for Adults(18 years and over), £7.70 for Children(5-17 & under 5s free) and £38.50 for Family(2 Adults and up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Parkland: 600-acre historic parkland with National Nature Reserves, ancient oaks including the ‘Old Man of Calke’, deer park and secluded ponds.
Garden: Walled garden bursting with seasonal colour, home to a rare surviving auricula theatre, domed orangery, faded glasshouses and gardener’s bothy.
House: Baroque-style mansion with peeling paintwork and abandoned rooms, portraying the dramatic decline of a country house estate.
Stableyard: Preserved as they were found, historic stableyard and riding school, created to house and exercise thoroughbred racehorses.
St Giles Church: Overlooking the estate is a 19th-century restored church with bell tower, Gothic revival windows, glass window and family monuments.
Calke Explore: Outdoor recreation area with natural play, cycle hire, walking trails, car park, toilets, Changing Places facility and refreshments kiosk.
Discover the spectacular state bed with embroidered Chinese silk hangings, hidden for over 200 years.
Meet the mighty 'Old Man of Calke', the estate's ancient oak tree.
Watch fallow deer roaming through historic parkland.
Walk or cycle the Tramway Trail for sweeping countryside views.
Stroll through the pleasure grounds to the flower garden with its unique auricula theatre.
Shopping: Gift shop, second-hand bookshop and plant sales in the Stableyard.
Family-friendly things to do at Calke Abbey: From wild adventures in the woods to family bike rides around the estate, there are lots of ways to make great memories as a family at Calke Abbey. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and all the information you need to plan your day out.
Things to do in the garden at Calke Abbey: Discover a vibrant and productive walled garden, look inside the faded glasshouses and explore Calke's fascinating collection of garden buildings.
Exploring the estate at Calke Abbey: A visit to Calke Abbey is a rare opportunity to explore acres of historic parkland, home to bats, birds, butterflies, and ancient trees that predate the house itself. Reconnect with the natural world on a walk in the park, or explore the estate on two wheels to take in this vast and ancient landscape.
Things to do in the house at Calke Abbey: Calke Abbey is the house where time stood still, vividly portraying a period in the twentieth century when many country houses did not survive. Discover why Calke Abbey is affectionately known as the ‘un-stately’ home and uncover fascinating collection items.
Things to see and do at Calke Explore: Calke Explore is open all year round, offering lots of opportunities to get outdoors and active at Calke Abbey, with easy access to walking and cycling routes, cycle hire facilities, natural play areas and a refreshments kiosk. Find out more about outdoor adventures at Calke Explore here.
Outdoor activities: Cycling at Calke Abbey - Get wonderful views from your saddle as you explore the ancient parkland at Calke Abbey on a leisurely bike ride along the Tramway Trail. Discover Calke's cycle-friendly trail, code of conduct and cycle hire information here.
Top trails: The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey, Calke Abbey to Staunton Harold trail, New woodland walk at Calke Abbey.

Facilities

Parking: No parking charge, but per person admission price applies (see Prices section for more details). 3.6-metre height restriction on archway.
Food & Drinks: Enjoy hot and cold drinks, tasty snacks and light meals.
Toilet: Located in the stableyards, gardens and at Calke Explore.
Dogs allowed: Dogs are free to roam the parkland under close control. They're welcome in the stableyards, gardens, restaurant, shop and second-hand bookshop, provided they're on a short lead.

What to see

History of Calke Abbey: A visit to Calke Abbey, like so many National Trust places, is a step back in time. But Calke is not presented like other country houses of its day. Paintwork is fading and peeling; vast collections of personal belongings are left as they were found. Here, the past is remarkably well preserved, in estate buildings, archaeology and the family’s belongings.

For more information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/calke-abbey/history-of-calke-abbey

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

House:

Adult (18+): £15.40 with Gift Aid, £14.00 without Gift Aid.
Child (5–17), under 5s free: £7.70 with Gift Aid, £7.00 without Gift Aid.
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £38.50 with Gift Aid, £35.00 without Gift Aid.

Park and Gardens:

Adult (18+): £8.00
Child (5-17) under 5s free: £4.00
Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children): £20.00

Pricing URL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/calke-abbey#place-prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

House: 11:00 - 15:00
Calke Park National Nature Reserve: 08:00 - 16:30
Garden: 09:30 - 16:00
Restaurant: 09:30 - 16:00
Shop: 09:30 - 16:00
Stables: 09:30 - 16:00
Partially open means that one or more aspects of Calke are shut. This will be displayed as closed under the list of opening times.

Time may vary please check here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/calke-abbey#place-opening-times

Address: Main Street, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire DE73 7JF, UK

Post Code: DE73 7JF

Council: South Derbyshire

County: Derbyshire

By road: On A514 at Ticknall between Swadlincote and Melbourne. Access from M42/A42 exit 13 and A50 Derby South. Entry via Ticknall main entrance only.
By train: Derby 9½ miles; Burton-on-Trent 10 miles.
By bus: From Burton-upon-Trent (High Street): Midland Classic to Swadlincote Bus Station (Routes 4, 9, 19) and then Arriva (Route 2) and alight at Ticknall (Calke Abbey Entrance). From Derby Bus Station: Arriva (Route 2) and alight at Ticknall (Calke Abbey Entrance). From the entrance, it's a 1½ mile walk through the park.
Parking: No parking charge, but per person admission price applies (see Prices section for more details). 3.6-metre height restriction on archway.