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Calke Abbey
The un-stately home and country estate
Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF
Important notice
From Monday 14 October until Thursday 17 October, the main entrance and Calke Explore will be closed while we carry out significant repairs to the driveway. Calke is still open and accessible via Staunton Lane. Please follow the diversions in place.
Opening times for 19 October 2024
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 Gift aid Standard Adult £7.50 Child £3.75 Family £18.75 Group Adult £7.13 Group Child £3.56 House
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £13.75 £12.50 Child £7.00 £6.25 Family £34.50 £31.25 Group Adult £11.88 Group Child £5.94 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Welcome in all areas of Calke.
Kiosk
Enjoy light refreshments from the kiosk at Calke Explore.
Bookshop
Browse the second-hand bookshop by the shop.
Licensed for civil weddings
Enjoy a country-style barn wedding in the Riding School.
Café
Enjoy light refreshments in the café.
Plant shop
Plants on sale outside the restaurant.
Car park
The main car park is adjacent to the Ticket Office. There is an additional car park at Calke Explore.
Restaurant
Enjoy hot and cold drinks, tasty snacks and light meals.
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.
Shop
Browse the shop for special gifts.
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.
Toilet
Located in the stableyards, gardens and at Calke Explore.
Guided tour
Explore the gardens and parkland with a guided tour.
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.
Level access/terrain
Level access to the restaurant, café and shop.
Accessible toilet
Available in the stableyards, gardens, and at Calke Explore.
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).
Braille (guide or menu)
Speak to a member of the team at the ticket office to borrow a copy.
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.
Changing Places
Available at Calke Explore
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.
Designated parking
Available in the main car park adjacent to the Ticket Office and 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.
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.
Transfer available
A buggy service is available, providing visitors with mobility needs or wheelchair users access to the house and gardens from the ticket office.
Large print (guide or menu)
Available to borrow where written information is in place.
Virtual tour
Virtual tour, room and object guides are available in the entrance hall to the house on request.
Level access to food outlet
Entrance to the restaurant and café both have a level path.
Wheelchairs available
Available upon request subject to availability from the Ticket Office.
Level access to shop
The floor is even and the entrance is through the restaurant.
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.
By bicycle
Planning your visit
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.
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Events at Calke Abbey
Take a look at our upcoming events, including guided walks and tours, displays in the house, and much more!
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
Join us on a spooky adventure this October half term!
Put on your scariest costume and get stuck in this half term, as we celebrate Halloween. Venture into the spooky tunnels, where an underground forest now lies or go on a hunt to spot creepy creatures hiding around the Stableyards and Pleasure Grounds.
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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.
Article
Christmas at Calke Abbey
From Christmas light and illuminations to meet and greets with Father Christmas and Mrs Claus, find out how you can celebrate the festive season at Calke Abbey.
Upcoming events
Take a look at the events coming up at Calke Abbey.
Things to see and do
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.
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Family-friendly things to do at Calke Abbey
Find inspiration for family days out at Calke Abbey, with natural play trails, cycle hire at Calke Explore, and family activities to keep the kids entertained all year round.
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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.
Thatch Cottage
A beautifully restored thatched cottage with a modern rustic interior, set within Calke Abbey.
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
Reframing Calke: viewing platform
Discover a different view of Calke as part of the Reframing Calke project.
Event
Nature's Home: needleworking nature display
Admire nature indoors this season with a display from Derby Textile & Embroidery Group.
Event
October half term: the spooky tunnels at Calke Abbey
With all the wet weather this year, the parkland has grown out of control and taken over the tunnels this half term.
Event
October half term: Halloween trail at Calke Abbey
Celebrate the spooky season with us this half term on our Halloween trail.
Event
Rutting at Calke walk
This event is now sold out. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause. The deer rut is a particular highlight of autumn at Calke, as bellowing roars echo across the park. Join a park guide on a walk through the Deer Park to see it in action.
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.
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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
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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.