1) There are over 600 acres of playground
How big is your back garden? Ours is over 600 acres! With woodland walks, wide open meadows and plenty of pathways, you can have loads of fun exploring the parkland here at Calke Abbey.
Don’t forget that Calke Explore is open all year round for a family adventure in the woods. With natural play, a giant bug hotel and lots of things to climb on, the kids can go wild in nature while you relax with a cuppa.
In the rest of the estate, Serpentine Wood is a popular, winding woodland route, while the Tramway Trail is ideal for family bike rides. If you prefer to step off the beaten track, pick up a park map and have your own unique half-term adventure.
2) The display of autumn colours is fabulous
As the leaves begin to turn the park becomes a kaleidoscope of colour with every shade of gold, brown and yellow you can imagine. Take a walk to see the 'Old Man of Calk' our 1000 year old oak tree, kicking up the leaves as you go. Head up to the gardenba nd see the scarecrows in their autumnal glory and our super diplay of weird and wonderful, gourds, pumpkins and squashes on the theatre. You'll be amazed at the variety of colours, shapes and sizes
3) There’s loads of weird and wonderful wildlife
Autumn is the perfect time to go wildlife spotting. Look out for red and fallow deer in the Deer Park; it's rutting time so the males look magnificent as they strut their stuff, with their super antlers, deep red coats and rumbling bellows, it's certainly a sight and sound to behold. Make sure you keep an eye to the skies in search of birds who spend the winter here as they start to arrive during the autumn months, great flocks of redwings and fieldfares take advantage of the seeds, nuts and berries on offer throughout the parkland. Don't forget to keep your eyes on the ground too though and see how many weird and wonderful fungi you can spot, the meadows provide a good spot for the many colours of waxcaps that spring up in October and November.
