Southwood House Farm

This large, comfortable house is a great place to get together with family and friends for a break or special occasion. There's plenty of space to gather by the fire, at the dining room table or in the garden, with spacious bedrooms to retreat to. The house has plenty of character, with period fireplaces and beams, and sits in a former farmyard with other historic farm buildings (not accessible to guests) and views over open farmland. It's next to a microbrewery - the Milk Parlour, carrying on an old tradition of brewing at Calke, and there's plenty more to see across the estate. 

You have free entry at most National Trust places during your stay, and it's only a couple of miles from the heart of the Calke Abbey Estate. Its historic mansion is nicknamed the 'unstately home' thanks to its peeling paintwork and abandoned rooms which show the dramatic decline of a country house estate. As well as the Baroque-style mansion, the historic stableyard and riding school have been preserved as they were when the estate came into the National Trust's care, and you can walk to St Giles Church, a restored 19th-century church with a bell tower.

The walled garden is full of seasonal colour, and there are 600 acres of parkland with National Nature Reserves, herds of red and fallow deer, and sheep and Longhorn cattle grazing in summer. Listen out for birds in the meadows. Calke Explore is an outdoor recreation area with adventure play and plenty of facilities, there are waymarked walks, and the multi-use Tramway Trail is perfect for bikes. You can take a leisurely walk to Staunton Harold, an area of countryside in our care with wildflower meadows, woodland walks and open water.

Of course, there's a National Trust café, restaurant and shop to enjoy at Calke, and lovely villages in the surrounding area, with pubs, places to eat, shops and galleries.

There are two other holiday cottages on the Calke Abbey Estate - Heath End Lodge (sleeps three) and Ticknall Lodge (sleeps three).