Calke Abbey

Bluebell beginnings

We have started to see some glorious native bluebells in our Serpentine Wood.

Visit Calke park in the next few weeks and enjoy a sea of bluebells.

Spotted a few already? Why not help us track them and put them on our bluebell map.

Add to our map

© National Trust

Horsing around

Don't miss this unique event on Saturday 19 May, 11am - 3.30pm.

Enjoy the thrills and spills of the Midland Driving Trials and watch The British Carriage Driving Association.

Have a go at sand sculpture alongside the world-famous sand sculptor 'Sandy' Andy Robertson.

Part of the Breath of Fresh Air Project

© National Trust

Gardens time forgot

Visit the beautiful, yet faded, atmosphere of Calke's walled gardens.

See inside the gardener's bothy, with tools and pots left lying around it feels as though it were left only yesterday.

As you walk round you may even spot our very own bees and their hives.

Discover more about the gardens...

© Gillian Day

Go wild in our wild parkland

Calke Park is an ancient and fragile habitat.

It is home to some oak trees dating back to over 1,000 years ago. In 2004 the park was designated a National Nature Reserve. It is teeming with diverse wildlife to look out for.

Discover more about the park...

© Don Godfrey

An un-stately home

Room after room reveals the fascinating and often strange possessions of the eccentric Harpur Crewes, from crocodile skulls to carriages.

We give you a real opportunity to see how many of Britain’s stately homes ended up - in a state of terminal decay. It's a sad reminder of similar houses that didn't survive.

Discover more about the house

© National Trust / John Parkinson

Getting into character

Throughout the year you can meet a variety of characters.

Whether it's Sir John and Dame Catherine Harpur welcoming you to their new home, or it's some 1940s war time folk boosting morale on the home front with a tea dance, you're sure to get involved with Calke's vibrant past.

Find out more about Calke Alive

© Gillian Day

Squirt's stable

Come to Squirt the Stallion’s stable during your visit to Calke for lots of fun things to make and do.

Open weekends from March to October 11.30am – 3.30pm.

Explore the stable yards with our detective trail and afterwards go wild in our play area.

© Gillian Day

Search our treasures

Did you know that you can search the entire collection at Calke from the comfort of your own home?

The National Trust Collections website allows you to search collections from every National Trust place. Have a look at our collection highlights and search specific interests.

See if you can spot them on your visit.

Search the Calke collection

© National Trust

Treasure hunts for techies

Geocaching is a 21st-century treasure hunting game. Use a GPS-enabled device to discover geocache containers hidden at GPS coordinates throughout the park.

We have two GPS systems available from the ticket office and we recommend two hours to enjoy the adventure.

What will you find?

© Gillian Day

St. Giles Church

Calke has a religious history dating back to the 12th century when an Augustinian priory was built on the site.

Centuries later Calke was given the title ‘Abbey’ in 1808 and the parish church of St. Giles was built in 1826.

Visit the church and spot features including a narrow tower and embattled nave.

© John Parkinson

Wildlife walk

Follow this walk and see the diverse wildlife Calke Park has to offer.

With much of the parkland being designated National Nature Reserve status you’re sure to see creatures big and small.

Click here for the wildlife walk

© National Trust / Harry McMahon