Calke Abbey is an intriguing place, and a glimpse of what happens to a country house when it falls into disrepair. Courtyards are overgrown, and the paint is peeling away, with little restoration having taken place.
Where is Calke Abbey located?
In the village of Ticknall, Calke Abbey sits on the border of Leicestershire and Derbyshire, close to the majestic Peak District.
What is the history of Calke Abbey to the present day?
Calke Abbey was privately owned until 1985, when it was handed over to the National Trust by the reclusive Harpur Crewe family. When the National trust took the property on, the full scale of its decline was revealed.
What is there to see and do at Calke Abbey?
Dubbed an ‘un-stately home', Calke Abbey is presented much as it was found by the National Trust. It serves to show just what can happen to a grand country house when left to fall into disrepair. Calke Abbey is surrounded by 600 acres of ancient parkland, and there is a lovely walled garden, with many charming places to explore, including an ancient deer park and the National Nature Reserve.
