Eating and shopping at Calke Abbey

Image shows children's books and toys on shelves in the shop — The shop at Calke | © National Trust/Susan Guy

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. With indoor and outdoor seating available, you can enjoy hot and cold drinks, light meals, snacks and treats in comfort. Find the best places to stop off here.

Shopping at Calke Abbey

Pick up gifts inspired by special places in Calke Abbey’s shop, open every day in the stableyard. You’ll find a range of homeware, including National Trust favourites such as mugs and tea towels, as well as luxury gardening items to help you create a stunning back garden.

With nature-inspired accessories, books and stationery, locally sourced gifts, children's toys and a range of edible treats, there’s something to suit all tastes in Calke’s gift shop.

The second-hand bookshop

Find your next page-turner in the second-hand bookshop at Calke, offering a wide variety of titles for book lovers. The bookshop is just opposite the shop, at the entrance to the restaurant.

Having a clear out? We always welcome book donations, from fiction for all ages to biographies and reference books. Bring your books along to the second-hand bookshop and we’ll take them off your hands.

Thank you

It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.

Hand-picked flowers on a table in the restaurant at Calke Abbey, with two visitors enjoying refreshments in the background — The restaurant at Calke Abbey | © National Trust/Susan Guy

Eating at Calke Abbey

There are two cafés located in the stableyards at Calke Abbey. The restaurant is open daily serving a full menu of hot and cold drinks, tasty snacks and light meals. There is plenty of indoor seating in the restaurant, with additional seating in the courtyard.

The café, located near the ticket office, is open at weekends and peak times, serving a selection of drinks and snacks (including goodies for your dog). There is some seating indoors with additional sheltered seating in the courtyard.

Refreshments at Calke Explore

Nestled in the heart of the woodland at Calke Abbey, Calke Explore is an outdoor recreation area and the ideal place to start exploring the wider estate. There are additional facilities at Calke Explore, including a refreshments kiosk, which is open at weekends (weather dependant) and peak times, serving hot and cold drinks and a range of snacks.

Look out for pop-up refreshments, such as the barbecue and scoop ice cream at peak times. There's plenty of outdoor seating with some covered areas at Calke Explore, complete with tethers for dogs.

Staunton Harold reservoir café

The dog-friendly café at Staunton Harold is a pleasant half-hour walk from Calke, where you'll find light lunches and tasty snacks, including kids’ picnics, paninis and toasties and local Bluebells ice cream. Open daily, there’s limited indoor seating with additional seating outdoors.

If you prefer to park at Staunton Harold, you can find the café on Calke Road, Windmill Hill, Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 8DN.

Help us to go green

If you're buying takeaway drinks from any of Calke's food and beverage outlets, bring along a keep cup and help us to reduce the use of disposable cups. You'll get 25p off your hot drink, as well as doing the environment a favour.

Thank you

Every cuppa or tasty treat you buy helps us to continue looking after places for everyone to enjoy.

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.