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Calke Crafternoons

Join the Summer of Play team for Calke Crafternoon sessions, every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the holidays in the Walled Kitchen Garden.

  • Booking essential
  • Admission applies

As part of Summer of Play, supported by Pokémon, get creative in the Walled Kitchen Garden with a series of craft sessions.

Tuesday 21 July: Create a bug magnifying glass (suitable for ages 3+) Thursday 23 July: Kite decorating (3+) Tuesday 28 July: Making bug wands (3+) Thursday 30 July: Decorate your own coasters (5+) Tuesday 4 August: Colour in your own puppet (3+) Thursday 6 August: Design your own tote bag (5+) Tuesday 11 August: Sew your own puppet (5+) Tuesday 18 August: Cross stitch bookmark (5+) Thursday 20 August: Design your own frisbee (5+) Tuesday 25 August: Decorate a cress head flowerpot (5+) Tuesday 1 September: Clay creations (3+) Thursday 3 September: Air dry clay (3+)

All materials are provided and children must be accompanied by an adult. The workshops will be held under shelter.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
Child Includes 1 child + 1 accompanying adult£5.00
Check admission prices

The basics

Booking number

Call 0344 249 1895

Accessibility

Toilets, including accessible and baby changing are available in the stableyards and gardens. It is level access from the car park to the main play hub in the gardens. It is a 5 -10-minute walk (approx.) from the car park to the gardens. There is a visitor shuttle buggy available on request from the ticket office which can take you to the house, gardens and back again.

Meeting point

Meet in the Walled Kitchen Garden, inside the stretch tent.

Suitability for children

Please see individual session details for age suitability.

What to bring and wear

Please dress for the weather. There are some areas of shelter and shade within the gardens. Head to the shed where we have a borrow box if you’ve forgotten your sun hat or need to borrow an umbrella.

Other

Pre-booking is advised but any remaining spaces can be booked on the day.

Upcoming events

On Screen at Calke Abbey 

Follow in the footsteps of Tommy Shelby and uncover how 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' was brought to life at Calke Abbey.

Event summary

on
1 Jul to 1 Nov 2026
at 09:30 to 16:00+ 123 other dates or times

Capturing Childhood in the Nurseries at Calke 

Explore the nurseries and meet the Harpur Crewe family through a series of large scale photographs, supported by CEWE. Dress up, play and read as the children would have done.

Event summary

on
1 Jul to 1 Nov 2026
at 11:00 to 16:00+ 105 other dates or times

Local Treasure, Global Connections: Museum Room Display 

Discover this year's Museum Room display and take a closer look at Calke’s State Bed hangings. Still in near- perfect condition, these Chinese silk hangings are a treasure of the National Trust.

Event summary

on
1 Jul to 1 Nov 2026
at 11:00 to 16:00+ 123 other dates or times

Botanical Watercolour Workshop 

Inspired by Calke's historic herbarium, join artist Kate Dawes for a relaxed botanical illustration class using pen and watercolour.

Event summary

on
2 Jul 2026
at 10:00 to 13:00