Reflections trail at Calke Abbey
Take in the beautiful views of the original drive and discover hidden views and spaces on this amble through Calke's ancient parkland.
Map
Start:
Calke Abbey main car park, grid ref: SK367226
1
Begin at the northern edge of the main car park with your back to the ticket office. Use the gravel path then down steps to the pond. Turn right and follow the deer fencing to the top of the hill, until it meets the old park boundary wall close to an interpretation board.
2
Turn left away from the deer fence and follow the path near the wall through Serpentine Wood.
Wildlife in Serpentine Wood
Birds of prey such as hobby, buzzard and the occasional red kite may be seen in Serpentine Wood, as well as woodland birds such as woodpeckers, tree creepers, nuthatch, starling and tits. More than half of the UK's 16 bat species have been recorded here, and the rough grassland is home to voles, shrews, wood mice, weasels and stoats. Badgers make their homes in the woods along with more than 350 types of beetles which thrive on the dead wood. Spot yellow archangel and bluebells in the woodlands in spring, and self-heal and sheep's sorrel in the grasslands.
3
Go through the kissing gate at the end of the wall and follow the woodland path which bears round to the left.
4
Come out of the wood into the Fisherman's car park.
5
Follow the narrow stoned then stepped path down from the car park to Betty's Pond. Bear left and go between the two ponds.
6
Take the gate to your right and follow the path directly uphill, through the wood pasture which is part of the National Nature Reserve. Do not cross over the stile but bear right to meet an avenue of ancient oak trees after 33yd (30m). Turn left to follow the avenue and then continue straight ahead to meet the road.
7
Cross the road and turn right walking parallel with the road until you meet the park boundary wall.
8
Turn left and follow the track keeping the wall on your right until you enter a small copse of trees and a large white gate. Look out for bat boxes fixed to some of the trees.
9
Turn left and follow the old main carriage drive, now stoned.
Old drive
This is the original drive to Calke and is the route that people would have taken in their carriages. Imagine that you are visiting the house for the first time and reflect on this impressive view.
10
Take a short detour right; uphill to view the preserved deer shelter. Retrace your steps downhill to the carriage drive. Turn right to the road.
Deer shelter
The shelter was built in the 18th century, amid old ridge and furrow land, to entice deer into the open parkland. The family could then observe them from the comfort of the house. Two hundred years later, red and fallow deer were re-introduced to Calke as an enclosed herd, and you can still see them today.
11
Turn left and walk parallel with road until you reach the visitor facilities and car park.
End:
Calke Abbey main car park, grid ref: SK367226
