Calke and Stoneywell Talks Service

What is the Talks Service?

Interested in learning more about Calke Abbey or Stoneywell? Our knowledgeable speakers will come directly to your group to deliver a talk on a range of topics, helping us to share detailed and illustrated stories about these places with you. 

Some of the talks can be delivered online, including the general talks. Please enquire for more details. 

All talks are well researched by passionate volunteers, and the money we raise helps us to look after these special places for generations to come. 

How to book a talk

We charge a flat rate of £50 per talk, which goes directly towards looking after Calke Abbey and Stoneywell. For smaller groups, please get in touch to discuss a discount, and for groups over 50, we suggest a fee of £1 per person. 

We have a range of well-researched topics available for both Calke Abbey and Stoneywell, listed below. Please choose a topic and let us know your preferred date, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your group.

For all bookings and enquiries, please send us an email or call 01332863822. 

Calke talks

All our speakers have an excellent knowledge of the Calke Estate and the Harpur-Crewe family, and offer talks on a wide range of fascinating subjects, including:

• General talk on Calke
• The history of Calke’s gardens
• The family and servants
• Conservation at Calke
• Architecture 
• Archaeology 
• The paintings and artists of Calke

Stoneywell talks 

To discover more about the Arts and Crafts cottage at Stoneywell or the Gimson family history, book an illustrated talk on one of the following topics:

• General talk on Stoneywell 
• The garden at Stoneywell 
• The Arts and Crafts Movement and its relationship with Stoneywell
• Arts and Crafts: Architecture
• Ernest Gimson: life and work 
• The Gimson story: three generations at Stoneywell
• Conservation at Stoneywell
• William Morris