Calke Park is a rich and varied landscape, from rolling grassland to ancient oaks. 80 hectares of the 240 hectare park is a National Nature Reserve, of international wildlife importance and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
A brief history of the park
Calke Park began its life as a ‘Park’ in the 17th century at a time when huge areas of common land were being enclosed and woodlands felled. During the 18th century, the Park was enlarged and re-modelled in an informal manner and a deer shelter was built. A flock of rare Portland sheep was also introduced - and can still be seen today.
A series of protective landowners has ensured that Calke Park is a ‘time capsule’ supporting plants and species from thousands of years ago. Today, over 250,000 visitors enjoy Calke Park, many by enjoying one of the self guided trails or joining a guided walk.
Ancient trees
© David Slade
In 2004 Calke Park was designated as a National Nature Reserve because of the quality of its wood pasture, one of the rarest habitats in Europe. Some of the trees at Calke are amongst the oldest in Europe - two of the oaks are over 1,000 years old!
These trees pre-date the Park and original House, having once been part of the ancient wildwood of the area. Many rare insects live on these ancient trees including over 350 types of beetle. Woodland birds such as great spotted and green woodpeckers, nuthatch, tree creeper, tawny owl, little owl and tits also nest in the trees.
Many types of fungi are associated with ancient trees too such as Chicken-of-the-Woods and very rare ones like the oak polypore only found on oaks of more than 400 years old. Calke also has a large bat population including the uncommon serotine bat, sometimes known as the ‘posh’ bat as it tends to be found around stately homes.
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Grassland and grazing
The majority of the pasture at Calke is ‘unimproved’ and over the years the vegetation has only been managed with livestock grazing. This has created a diverse grassland structure with high quality soil that benefits plants, invertebrates and small mammals. Controlling the level of grazing also means that the trees aren’t damaged by livestock through compaction and erosion.
Ponds and weirs
© National Trust / Calke Abbey
At the heart of the park is a series of two culverts and a weir located between four ponds, which were built by the Harpur Crewe family in the 18th century and used for fishing and recreation by the family. Survey work has highlighted the importance of the weirs and ponds in providing a habitat for the native white-clawed crayfish which is a protected species, frogs, toads and other wetland wildlife such as dragonflies and damselflies.
The ponds are flanked by marginal plants which provide a rich source of nectar for insects which is especially important for many of those that are also associated with the deadwood and ancient trees.
Funded by Biffaward, a project is underway to restore the historic weirs, improve the water quality and create a new wetland habitat and boardwalk area. Whilst the work has been taking place special stone rockeries have been created beneath the water’s surface to act as refuges for the white clawed crayfish.
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A farmed estate
The Calke Estate remains typical of a working country estate. The relative lack of intervention over the years has meant that the Estate is a good example of a pre-World War II, pastoral English lowland farmed landscape.
240 hectares are managed in hand by the National Trust’s Warden’s Team, working from Home Farm. They maintain the diverse and significant wildlife habitats and look after 300 ewe in hand sheep flock, including 50 rare breed Portland ewes and a Deer herd.
The Calke Estate also includes:
- Six farm tenants
- Two commercial dairy farms
- Two part time holdings farming with extensive agri-environment schemes
- One primarily diversified equestrian livery business
- One commercial organically farmed arable, beef, sheep and pig farm
The old deers
© David Slade
Calke is home to a herd of red and fallow deer. A deer shelter was built in the park in 1773 amid old ridge and furrow land. Much of the 19th-century perimeter wall of the site, which has lean-to open sheds, has been lost. In 1973 and 1974 the deer were brought back as an enclosed herd and visitors can now walk round most of the perimeter.
Besides being interesting to watch, the deer also provide a source of venison which is used seasonally in the restaurant at Calke.
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