The Peak District & Derbyshire

The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey

Starting at Calke Explore, enjoy a leisurely walk or cycle through woodland, farmland and pasture, and discover some of the old horse-drawn tramway that linked Ticknall to Ashby. With an accessible figure-of-eight route suitable for cyclists, walkers, wheelchairs and pushchairs, you can tailor your adventure to suit you.

Multi-use trail

The Tramway Trail is a multi-use trail, so please share the paths with other visitors and don't forget to ring your bell when passing on a bike.

Trail information summary

DifficultyEasy*
Dog friendly**
Duration2 hours
Access: Easy***
DistanceMiles: 6.3 (km: 10.08) Full trail
DistanceMiles: 3.7 (km: 5.92) Short trail

*
A relatively flat walk on country lanes, woodland paths and stoned paths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**
Please keep dogs on leads near livestock and roads. For further details, please see Facilities section.
***
The Tramway Trail is Calke Abbey's accessible route. For further details, please see Access section.

DifficultyEasy*
Dog friendly**
Duration1.5 hours
Access: Easy***
DistanceMiles: 6.3 (km: 10.08) Full trail
DistanceMiles: 3.7 (km: 5.92) Short trail

*
A relatively flat route suitale for beginners and family bike rides. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**
Please keep dogs on leads near livestock and roads. For further details, please see Facilities section.
***
The Tramway Trail is Calke Abbey's accessible route. For further details, please see Access section.

OS map: Landranger 128

Near to Calke Abbey

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 10

Start point

Calke Explore car park, DE73 7JF

Step 1

At Calke Explore, join the Tramway Trail just beyond the main car park, and then turn left onto the hard path. Here, you’ll find the Tramway Trail map situated to the right of the path.

Step 2

When you reach the trail map, turn left to follow the path through the woodland. Continue along this path to the end of the woodland, and then up a slight incline towards a gate at Hogg’s Close corner.

Bluebells in spring

In spring, look out for a carpet of bluebells in the woodland. Although we're very familiar with bluebells in Britain, in the rest of Europe they're very rare and not found anywhere else in the world. It's thought that it can take up to 200 years for a continuous carpet of bluebells to develop on undisturbed ground. This slow spread means they are often an indicator of ancient woodland sites. Trampling by animals and people can damage the leaves and seeds of the bluebells, so please stick to the paths on your walk.

Two visitors walking their dog in the woodland in autumn at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire — Visitors walking their dog in the woodland at Calke Abbey. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 3

At Hogg’s Close corner, pass through the gate and bear left towards the driveway (be aware of cars approaching from the left). Take the track on the right, away from the driveway, with the dry-stone wall to your right.

The carriage drive

The track you're now walking along was part of the original driveway, which offered a sweeping view of the house as visitors arrived by carriage. Follow the bend to the left to see it. On your right, you'll notice what remains of the deer shelter. It was built here so the deer could be seen from the house, and provided a feeding point for the red and fallow deer. You'll need to retrace your steps back up to the bend in the historic drive – known as Lady's Close Corner – to continue this walk.

A cyclist with a baby seat enjoying the Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey with a meadow and woodland in the background — Cycling the Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Step 4

Continue until you reach a bend in the track, then look for a gate to your right. Pass through the gate and follow the path until you reach two pedestrian gates near a brick barn. Pass through the gates and continue along the path through farmland and woodland.

Images shows a family cycling away from the camera along a double track beneath a canopy of autumn leaves at Calke Abbey, with a child in the foreground and other cyclists further ahead — Cycling the Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Step 5

When you reach a squeezer stile on your left, do not cross the road but continue along the Tramway Trail to the right, which runs parallel to the road. Eventually, you’ll reach a road crossing. Cross the road and continue along the trail under a small bridge.

A family wearing helmets and coats cycles along the Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey, beneath a canopy of autumnal leaves — Cycling the Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 6

When you reach a sharp bend in the path, continue to your right along the Tramway Trail.

Step 7

Pass under another small bridge and continue along the trail until you reach a gravel track with some cottages on your right.

Step 8

Continue along the path until you come to a road crossing. Cross over, then pick up the Tramway Trail and continue until you reach a small tunnel. Pass under the tunnel, then continue to follow the path through another gate.

Step 9

When you reach another tunnel, take the right-hand pathway up to the trail (do not go under the tunnel this time). Turn right at the top, and pass a pond on your left.

Step 10

Continue to follow the trail alongside the main driveway until you reach Middle Lodge, where you will find two gates. Pass through the right-hand gate and continue along the hard track until you reach Calke Explore.

End point

Calke Explore car park, DE73 7JF

Trail map

A view of the water tower, positioned on a slight grassy hill with a large tree to the left at Staunton Harold

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.

Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF

01332863822

calkeabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

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