Snowdrop walk from Calke to Dimminsdale
One of the first signs of spring is the emergence of snowdrops. Come along for a walk around Calke and visit neighbouring Nature Reserve Dimminsdale, managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, to see some great displays of snowdrops.
Map
Start:
Calke Abbey car park, grid ref: SK366226
1
From the car park walk along the exit road to pass the mansion and church on the left. As you approach the church look out for clusters of snowdrops, they can often be seen in this area. Cross the cattle grid and follow the road, the field to your left is often home to Calke's rare breed Portland sheep. You will recognise them by their sandy coloured fleece and curled horns. Proceed to the junction.
St Giles' church
This was the parish church of Calke from 1160-1834. The original medieval church was restored in the 16th and 19th centuries so has undergone many changes. It remains a consecrated church and can still hold marriages but only with permission and if you live within the parish boundaries. If you wish to visit the church you will need a garden ticket from the Ticket Office.
2
Turn right; then left at the next junction (signposted Melbourne). Continue downhill to the entrance to Dimminsdale Nature Reserve on the right.
Dimminsdale Nature Reserve
Dimminsdale Nature Reserve is owned by Severn Trent Water and managed by The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Like the Limeyards at Calke this area was used for mineral extraction in the 18th and 19th centuries. The pools that you can see are flooded quarries.
3
Follow the path down steps by overgrown limekilns. Turn left to follow the path, cross a bridge then uphill through the woodland with the drowned quarry on the right. The swathes of snowdrops grow at the end of a wooden walkway.
4
At the junction of paths take the steps on the right down to a bridge and then cross a gap stile on the left. Use the gravel track that leads to the road through another gap.
5
Cross over to meet another surfaced path through the gap stile. Turn right for 22yd (20m) then bear left. Walk along the path veering right along a hedgerow, uphill through two gates and into the park at a third gate in the stone wall.
6
Take the double track straight ahead; under power cables and on to the shallow valley with the deer shelter in the woodland up on the right. Soon you will see the mansion house. Turn left to return to the car park.
The deer shelter
The Calke Abbey building team have preserved this interesting building to prevent it deteriorating further. It was built in the 18th century 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 in the deer enclosure to the east of the House.
End:
Calke Abbey car park, grid ref: SK366226
