Discover the accessibility features at Calke, including our pre-bookable trampers, quiet spaces and Changing Places toilet. The historic house and gardens, sitting within a 1,000 hectare estate, present challenges in creating access for all, but we are taking steps to ensure that as many people as possible can explore Calke. Read more to discover how you can get the most from your visit.
Arrival and parking
There are brown signs to follow for Calke Abbey, with an oakleaf symbol. Access is via the Ticknall main entrance only.
There is a park admission point on the main drive, 0.5 miles from the entrance at Ticknall.
At this point, staff will scan National Trust membership cards or take admission for visitors to the park and garden.
A separate ticket is available from the main Ticket Office for the House.
There is a car park at Calke Explore, 0.3 miles beyond the park admission point at Middle Lodge.
There are 10 accessible spaces adjacent to the main facilities.
At peak times, there is grassed overflow car parking available.
As there is a one-way system through the parkland at Calke, you are unable to drive back to Calke Explore from the main visitor car park.
The main car park is located near the Stableyards.
There are 22 accessible spaces adjacent to the Ticket Office, and a further 10 spaces available for people with limited mobility.
To reach the accessible car park, turn right in the main car park and follow the road to the very end. There are then two further, signed, right-hand turns into the car park.
At peak times and for large events, overflow car parking will be used. Car park attendants are on duty at peak times and will assist you if you need blue badge parking near to the Ticket Office.
Dogs are welcome.
Assistance dogs only are welcome in the House and Tunnels.
Shortly after entering the Calke estate, you'll arrive at Middle Lodge. This is a park admission point where you'll need to show your National Trust membership card or pay for entry.
There are 22 accessible spaces in the main car park, adjacent to the Ticket Office.
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Visitor facilities
At the main site, there is a disabled toilet and a separate baby changing room. Both are located in the Stableyards, near the entrance to the Restaurant and Shop.
There is also an accessible toilet with a drop-down baby changing table in the Garden.
At Calke Explore, there is a disabled toilet and a Changing Places facility. A baby changing table is also in the disabled toilet.
There is a daily buggy service from 10am to 5pm (March to October) or from 10.30am to 2.30pm (November to February).
The buggy takes visitors between the Ticket Office, House and Gardens.
There are two buggies available, and one can transport visitors in wheelchairs.
Powered mobility vehicles cannot be taken on the buggy.
Wheelchairs and trampers (personal mobility vehicles) are available to borrow from the Ticket Office. Pre-booking is strongly recommended, by calling 01332 695329.
Large print and Braille guides are available for all areas at Calke, and can be borrowed from the Ticket Office.
Large print and Braille guides can also be found in the Entrance Hall of the House.
Sensory bags including ear defenders and figet toys are available from the Ticket Office.
There are no printed leaflets, but A4 copies of the map are available to borrow from the Ticket Office. Maps of the parkland, gardens and Tramway Trail can also be downloaded from the website in advance.
Our Easy Read Guide contains information of the key features and facilities that you will encounter on your visit. You can borrow a copy during your visit from the House, or view it online using the link below.
The restaurant and café are open daily, and additional outlets are open on busier days.
In all of the Food & Beverage outlets, there are large-handled cutlery and crockery, and straws.
There are induction loops at all till points.
There are picnic benches at Calke Explore, near the main car park, and outside the café. The tables outside the café are accessible, with a larger overhang on one side of the table.
Outside seating next to the restaurant is a mixture of fixed benches and chairs with arms.
Toilets are located at Calke Explore, in the main Stableyards and in the Gardens. There are accessible toilets at all three facilities, and a Changing Place facility at Calke Explore.
Picnic benches are available at Calke Explore and near the main car park, with views across the parkland and deer park.
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Exploring outdoors at Calke Abbey
There are several way-marked routes around the parkland, which are mostly uneven. There are several slopes throughout the estate, some of which are steep.
The Tramway Trail is a figure of eight route suitable for walkers, cyclists and mobility vehicles. It is between 3.7 and 6.3 miles long depending on the route taken. The route can be accessed from the car park at Calke Explore.
There are a number of benches and rest 'perch' benches around the parkland and gardens.
There are information boards at both Calke Explore and the Ticket Office, which include a map of the estate and a summary of the way-marked walks.
The gardens can be accessed via the buggy. The set-down point is just beyond the church path and there is a walk over level, fine gravelled paths of approx. 65 metres to access the gardens.
There are a number of benches in and around the gardens.
The grotto and ice house are not accessible for wheelchairs. The grotto has a pond of water approx. 1 metre deep.
There are some steep slopes approaching the gardens through the Pleasure Grounds, but level access throughout the walled gardens.
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Exploring the House (open March to October)
The ground floor of the house is accessible to wheelchair users. This includes the Entrance Hall, Lobby and Caricature Room. The Kitchen, Servants' passage and tunnels can be accessed on request.
Access to the first floor is via the main staircase, which has 26 wide, shallow steps. There is a chair on a landing after 13 stairs.
There is a circular route around the first floor, with the option to then exit via the stone stairs. This staircase has 18 steps with a handrail on the left.
Access to continue on to the second floor is via the stone stairs, climbing 27 steps with a handrail on the right.
On completing the circular route of the second floor, the descent is via 31 wide, shallow steps on the main staircase, which has a chair on the landing after 13 stairs. On the first floor, the exit route crosses the first-floor landing and then continuing down the 27 steps of the stone staircase.
Assistance animals are welcome in the House.
There is limited phone signal and no public wifi in the House.
You will need to show your membership cards or admission tickets at the Entrance Hall.
The House is quietest in the afternoon.
Lockers are available in the Bucket Passage, just beyond the Entrance Hall. Visitors are asked to leave larger bags here to help protect the historic interiors or collections. Please speak to a volunteer if you need to keep your bag on your person as you explore the House.
A virtual tour is available at the Entrance Hall.
A portable induction loop is available on request.
Sensory aids are available to borrow from the Visitor Resource Station in the Entrance Hall, including fidget toys and ear defenders.
Large print and Braille guides are available from the Entrance Hall.
Foreign language guides are also available, in French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Russian.
Light levels are low inside some areas of the House for conservation reasons.
On colder days, the log burner in the Entrance Hall is lit.
Seating is available in all rooms, as a mix of wooden chairs with arms and window seats.
Volunteers are on hand to assist with any requests for seating.
There are wheelchairs available to borrow, on both the ground and first floors, as well as metal walking sticks with adjustable heights.
You'll find one of the largest history collections in the National Trust at Calke.
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Visual Story
Our Visual Story can help you prepare for your visit to Calke Abbey. It contains information and photos of the key features and facilities that you will encounter on your visit.
