Our work
Very little has changed here
© National Trust / Don Godfrey
Caring for Calke
Unlike many country houses Calke has not been restored to its former glory.
When we began to care for Calke in 1985 a decision was made to present the house as it was found. Essential repairs have ensured the structure is safe, but the house is little restored on the inside. When it comes to looking after Calke we repair, not restore.
Limeyards and tramway
The tramway will open again as footpaths
© Bill Cove
Calke Park is home to a section of a 19th-century tramway that connected brickyards and limeyards to the Ashby canal, and it has been given new life as a footpath for walkers.
In 2012 sections of the Ticknall tramway will be open to the public, and further work will continue in order to open more. Look out for walking trails and more.
Grotto
The Grotto in the pleasure grounds
© Gillian Day
Used as a cool retreat on a summer stroll in the 19th century, the Grotto added grandeur and fantasy to the garden. Like many aspects of Calke, it has declined and become fragile.
Consolidation and repair will begin in 2012 to protect the structure and make the Grotto safe once more. Then plans can made to build a path down inside the Grotto to experience the refreshing pools.
Brewery
Fancy a tipple?
© Gillian Day
The redundant outbuildings of one of our lovely holiday cottages, Southwood House Farm, are going to be converted to become the site for a microbrewery.
Our friends at Tollgate Brewery, who are regulars at our fine food fairs, are going to move to the Calke estate. Planning will begin in 2012 so watch this space. From the brewhouse tunnels of old, to a whole new site - ale will return to Calke.
Completed project: bio-mass boiler
Our new bio-mass boiler runs on wood chip and has replaced inefficient LPG gas and electric heaters.
The project, which ran from April – August 2011, has enabled us to heat areas of the property with renewable energy.
