Calke's red and fallow deer

Even though Calke Abbey is currently closed, we'll be sharing lots of photos from around the estate on social media – follow us @NTCalkeAbbey to spot a deer or two.

Red and fallow deer

Calke’s deer herd includes 30 red deer, named after their distinctive red coats, and around eighty fallow deer. Fallow deer are smaller than reds and have a variety of colourings – all of which can be seen in Calke’s herd.

The most common colour in fallow deer is tan or fawn, with white speckles and a black horseshoe at the top of the hind legs. You might also spot a paler colour, known as menil, in Calke’s fallow herd. In this pattern, the horseshoe on the rear is brown. Fallow deer can also be entirely white or black, with no markings at all.

Seasonal highlights in the deer park

During May and June, the fallow fawns and red calves are born. When they’re very young, they often hide in the bracken until they’re brave enough to explore the rest of the deer park.

Around October, the deer enter rutting season. The rut gives rise to spectacular behaviour from the stags, who can be seen sizing up their opponents and wallowing in mud baths. They’re also very vocal during rutting season – listen out for bellowing roars and grunts, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot clashing antlers as the stags fight for dominance. 

The deer shelter

Just off the original driveway stands the ruins of the deer shelter. Built in 1774, the deer shelter provided a winter feeding point for the deer which the Harpur-Crewe family could see from the house.

Nowadays the deer shelter is preserved in a state of ruin, but you can still explore it on foot. When Calke is open again, download the deer shelter walk and discover historic sights and sounds.