Calke Park Staunton Harold Reservoir walk
Enjoy this delightful stroll around Calke Park's Staunton Harold Reservoir, taking in the sites of St Giles Church and Calke Abbey itself.
See carpets of wildflowers flourishing in spring and summer
For a springtime detour, why not follow our additional route (red dotted line on the route map), which will lead you to a carpet of bluebells in May. Look out for yellow cowslips in the spring and yellow rattle in the summer months on the main lawns in front of the Abbey.
Map
Start:
Calke Abbey main overflow car park, grid ref: SK367226
1
Follow the exit road from the main car park, walking past the front of the Abbey, the church and the entrance of Home Farm, which takes you into Calke Village.
Calke Abbey
Sir John Harpur built the mansion seen today between 1701 and 1704. Named Calke Abbey in 1808, it incorporates the original Elizabethan house and is built on the site of a 12th-century Augustinian priory. The lack of agricultural input on the main lawns in front of the Abbey has enabled a diverse range of wild meadow flowers to flourish. Look out for yellow cowslips in the spring and yellow rattle in the summer months.
2
Turn left at the main road, which will take you into the reservoir car park.
Staunton Harold reservoir
The name Staunton comes from the local term for limestone, while Harold was the 12th-century Lord of the Manor. The reservoir holds 1400 million gallons and was built by Severn Trent Water between 1957 and 1964, to supply the city of Leicester.
3
Walk along the Severn Trent permissive path along the boardward to the weir.
4
The path takes you along the deer fencing, around the deer enclosure and back into the park.
Deer enclosure
At one time, Calke's deer herd would have roamed the park but they are now confined within the park's large enclosure. The stags are particularly spectacular in October during the rut, when they are at their most active and noisy.
5
Optional detour: Where the deer fence turns left, downhill, you have the option of following the path straight on (dotted red line on the route map), keeping the stone wall to your left. Alternatively, if taking the shorter route to return to the walk start point (red route line on the map), follow the deer fence as it turns to the left and proceed towards the Abbey.
6
If following the shorter route (red line on the map), turn right here and continue to the walk starting point at the car park. (If following the detour route, skip straight to direction point 7).
The bird hide
A bird feeding station was erected in 2009 and was shortly followed by the hide in the autumn, which was constructed by a volunteer warden. Visitors are encouraged to record their sightings in the folder provided. Also, be sure to look out for some of Calke's little owls, which can very often be seen sitting on posts in the deer enclosure during the day. Other birds seen in this enclosure include all three species of woodpecker and summer visiting spotted flycatchers.
7
Detour continued: continue to follow the track (from point 5 on the route map), passing Serpentine Wood on your left.
Serpentine Wood
Calke's Serpentine Wood is one of the best places to see carpets of bluebells in May.
8
Go through the small gate and up the steps, keeping the ponds on your left. Follow the high path back to the car parks.
End:
Calke Abbey main overflow car park, grid ref: SK367226
