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Calke Abbey
The un-stately home and country estate
Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF
Important notice
Cycle Hire at Calke Explore is closed today (7 June) due to poor weather. It will reopen tomorrow as normal, we're sorry for any disappointment this may cause.
Opening times for 8 June 2025
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 16:00 Calke Park National Nature Reserve 08:00 - 18:00 Garden 09:30 - 17:00 Restaurant 09:30 - 17:00 Shop 09:30 - 17:00 Stables 09:30 - 17:00 Cycle Hire 10:00 - 16:30 Partially open means that one or more aspects of Calke are shut. This will be displayed as closed under the list of opening times.
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £15.40 £14.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £7.70 £7.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £38.50 £35.00 Park and Gardens
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £8.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £4.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £20.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
Welcome in all areas of Calke.
- Bookshop
Browse the second-hand bookshop by the shop.
- Café
Enjoy light refreshments in the café.
- Car park
The main car park is adjacent to the Ticket Office. There is an additional car park 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.
- Electric vehicle charging point
Three AC electric charging points are available in the car park at Calke Explore. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, ChargePoint, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging partner, RAW Charging's website (www.rawcharging.com/drivers) to download the app before your visit.
- Guided tour
Explore the gardens and parkland with a guided tour.
- Kiosk
Enjoy light refreshments from the kiosk at Calke Explore.
- Licensed for civil weddings
Enjoy a country-style barn wedding in the Riding School.
- Plant shop
Plants on sale outside the restaurant.
- Restaurant
Enjoy hot and cold drinks, tasty snacks and light meals.
- Shop
Browse the shop for special gifts.
- Toilet
Located in the stableyards, gardens and at Calke Explore.
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.
- Accessible route and/or map
Accessible routes are available to the gardens, the ground floor of the house and around the restaurant, café and shop. At Calke Explore, there is a short wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly trail, and the multi-use Tramway Trial.
- Accessible toilet
Available in the stableyards, gardens, and at Calke Explore.
- Braille (guide or menu)
Speak to a member of the team at the ticket office to borrow a copy.
- Changing Places
Available at Calke Explore
- Designated parking
Available in the main car park adjacent to the Ticket Office and at Calke Explore.
- Induction loop
Available at Calke in the Ticket Office, house, restaurant and café, shop, or at Calke Explore by the till counter of the kiosk.
- Large print (guide or menu)
Available to borrow where written information is in place.
- Level access to food outlet
Entrance to the restaurant and café both have a level path.
- Level access to shop
The floor is even and the entrance is through the restaurant.
- Level access/terrain
Level access to the restaurant, café and shop.
- Narrow corridors
Narrow corridors and glass cases within the house. Please leave large backpacks in the lockers within the bag storage room by the west side of the house (free of charge).
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Tramper available for use throughout the gardens and areas of the parkland; however, it's strongly recommended that you pre-book.
- Seating available
Available inside and outside of the café and restaurant, in the house, and gardens, or there are benches and an outdoor seating area at Calke Explore.
- Steps/uneven terrain
In the Kitchen Garden, orchard area of the Physic Garden and park, there are areas of uneven terrain. The house and orangery both have steps, and the grotto and ice house are not wheelchair accessible.
- Transfer available
A buggy service is available from 10am to 5pm, providing visitors with mobility needs or wheelchair users access to the house and gardens from the ticket office.
- Virtual tour
Virtual tour, room and object guides are available in the entrance hall to the house on request.
- Wheelchairs available
Available upon request subject to availability from the Ticket Office.
- 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.
Parking: no parking charge, but per person admission price applies (see Prices section for more details). 3.6-metre height restriction on archway
Sat Nav: If using SatNav please use postcode DE73 7JF, or use latitude and longitude coordinates 52.808253, -1.472834
- 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.
- Cycling
Planning your visit
Article
Summer of Play at Calke Abbey
Enjoy a jampacked summer at Calke from 12 July – 3 September. Discover the Garden of Imagination, take on the balance bike course, go wild in the natural play area or ride along the Tramway Trail.
Article
Visiting Calke Abbey with your dog
Calke Abbey is a three pawprint rated place. Visiting with your dog is one of the best ways to explore Calke's vast parkland, gardens and stableyards.
PDF
Article
Accessibility at Calke
Discover what accessibility features we have at Calke, to help you enjoy your visit.
Venue hire
Article
Weddings at Calke Abbey
The Riding School at Calke Abbey is the perfect venue for a country-style barn wedding, nestled among 600 acres of country estate and rustic gardens – find out how to book your wedding here.
Highlights
Parkland
600-acre historic parkland with National Nature Reserves, ancient oaks including 1,200-year-old ‘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.
Eating
Restaurant and café in the Stableyard, takeaway refreshments at Calke Explore and seasonal pop-up outlets year-round.
Shopping
Gift shop, second-hand bookshop and plant sales in the Stableyard.
Spotlight events
Article
Summer of Play at Calke Abbey
Enjoy a jampacked summer at Calke from 12 July – 3 September. Discover the Garden of Imagination, take on the balance bike course, go wild in the natural play area or ride along the Tramway Trail.
Article
Guided tours at Calke Abbey
Explore more of Calke Abbey on a guided tour, walk or talk – from behind-the-scenes tours in the house to garden and parkland rambles.
Things to see and do
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Calke Abbey
Enjoy family days out at Calke Abbey this summer. Discover a world of adventure in the Garden of Imagination, take on the balance bike course, go wild in the natural play area or ride along the Tramway Trail.
Article
Things to do in the garden at Calke Abbey
Explore a vibrant and productive walled garden, look inside the faded glasshouses and explore Calke's fascinating collection of garden buildings.
Article
Exploring the estate at Calke Abbey
Reconnect with nature and make yourself at home in acres of historic parkland on the Calke Abbey estate in Derbyshire.
Article
Things to do in the house at Calke Abbey
Discover the 'un-stately' home at Calke Abbey, where peeling paint and abandoned rooms vividly portray a period when many country houses didn't survive.
Article
Things to see and do at Calke Explore
Calke Explore is the perfect base to begin your outdoor adventures at Calke Abbey, with walking and cycling routes, natural play areas and facilities for everyone.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Cycling at Calke Abbey
Discover picturesque views of the Calke Estate on a bike ride along the Tramway Trail, with cycle hire and guided rides available.
Top trails
Trail
The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey
The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey is an accessible, multi-use trail with a figure-of-eight route, so you can explore the wider estate at your own pace.
Trail
Calke Abbey to Staunton Harold trail
Enjoy a leisurely walk from Calke Abbey to nearby Staunton Harold, with views over the reservoir, arable fields and woodland.
Trail
New woodland walk at Calke Abbey
Take a peaceful stroll through the historic parkland of Calke Abbey into Casey's Plantation, a new area of woodland where over 10,000 young trees are now growing.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Calke Abbey
There are plenty of places to refresh and refuel at Calke Abbey, where you'll find a café, shop, second-hand bookshop and seasonal pop-up facilities throughout the year.
Places to stay
Ticknall Lodge
An intriguing pentagonal gate lodge with elegant interiors surrounded by Calke Abbey parkland.
Southwood House Farm
The perfect get-together pad with seven bedrooms, a large garden and miles of parkland walks.
Wicket Nook Cottage
A cosy cottage packed full of character features and with stunning views over the Calke Estate.
Heath End Lodge
A former gatehouse to Calke Abbey, this cottage now stands in a peaceful backwater.
Upcoming events
Event
Nature's Home: Bird of the Month display at Calke Abbey
Discover the fascinating world of birds through our Bird of the Month display inside the house.
Event
Wander for wildflowers walk at Calke Abbey
As colourful wildflowers spring up from the ground, soak up the sight on a guided walk across the park.
Event
Summer solstice yoga at Calke Abbey
Celebrate the longest day of the year with a special yoga workshop in the Slip Garden.
Event
Looking at the Limeyards walk at Calke Abbey
Join the team on a guided walk of Calke's Limeyards to learn all about its past, present, and future.
Event
Summer evening yoga at Calke Abbey
Come and experience Calke like never before in an evening yoga workshop outside the historic house.
Event
Summer of Play: The Garden of Imagination at Calke Abbey
Ready, set go! Summer is here and the Garden of Imagination returns to Calke, packed full of every flavour of play.
Event
Festival of Archaeology at Calke Abbey
Come and join us as we celebrate the Festival of Archaeology at Calke, sharing the untold stories of discoveries made by Calke’s own archaeology volunteers.
Event
Cycling lessons at Calke Abbey
Are you new to cycling or haven't been on a bike in a while? Book a private lesson to help you build your confidence or learn to ride from scratch.
About 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.
Don't miss
• The stunning state silk bed, erected for the first time in 1985 after lying undiscovered since the 18th century
• Spot the ‘Old Man of Calke’, a 1,200 year old oak tree
• Visit the red and fallow deer in their restored enclosure
• Explore the Tramway Trail by bike or by foot
• Stroll through the pleasure grounds to the flower garden with its unique auricula theatre
History
Article
History of Calke Abbey
Calke Abbey is the place where time stood still. Discover the history of the 'unstately home' as a religious priory and family home for 12 generations.
Our work
Project
Project
Reframing Calke: windows and walls
Over time, the elements have taken their toll on this historic building causing the wood in the window frames to rot and masonry and render to fall away. A 24-week project began in July 2024 to repair the damage and ensure the house remains watertight.
Article
Protecting white-clawed crayfish at Calke Abbey
White-clawed crayfish have been successfully relocated from Calke Abbey to an Ark site. Discover more about this endangered species and the work we've carried out to help safeguard their future.
Article
Rare hazel dormice reintroduced into the National Forest
Rare hazel dormice have been reintroduced into the heart of the National Forest. Discover more about this endangered species and work we've carried out at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire to prepare for their arrival.
Article
Our work in the house at Calke Abbey
From everyday cleaning to specialist conservation, discover the work we do behind closed doors to preserve Calke Abbey and its collections for generations to come.
Article
Our work outdoors at Calke Abbey
From wildlife and woodland management to historic planting in the garden, discover more about the vital conservation work we do in the outdoors at Calke Abbey.
Art and collections
Article
Calke Abbey's collection
Discover a collection of contrasts at Calke Abbey, from lavish treasures such as the State Bed to a vast collection of decaying household objects, natural history and more.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Calke Abbey
Article
Calke and Stoneywell Talks Service
Thanks to a dedicated team of speakers, we offer a Talks Service to bring Calke Abbey and Stoneywell’s stories directly to your group or society.