Discover more at Calke Abbey
Find out when Calke Abbey is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Exploring the estate at Calke Abbey
A visit to Calke Abbey is a rare opportunity to explore acres of historic parkland, home to bats, birds, butterflies, and ancient trees that predate the house itself. Reconnect with the natural world on a walk in the park, or explore the estate on two wheels to take in this vast and ancient landscape.
Autumn in the parkland
Escape into nature this autumn. This magical season showcases the park at its best, as a kaleidoscope of colour washes across the landscape and fantastic fungi springs up all around.
Autumn walks
Lace up your walking boots and experience the awe of autumn on an adventure through the historic parkland.
See the leaves turn along the Lime Avenue, walk beneath a canopy of colour in Serpentine Wood, and enjoy the sound of crunching leaves beneath your feet.
The Tramway Trail is drenched in autumn shades and offers a picturesque walk or ride through woodland, pasture, and arable farmland. With a hard surface and a relatively flat terrain, this multi-use route is perfect for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
Download the property map to choose a waymarked walk or step off the beaten track to carve your own route through the estate.
Or venture into the wider estate on a walk to Tollgate Brewery's Milking Parlour. Walk along the Tramway Trail and then turn to follow the public footpath highlighted on our property map.
Fantastic fungi
With their other-worldly shapes and colours, fungi are truly fascinating and are a particular highlight of autumn. Keep your eyes peeled on your travels to see what treasures you can spot hiding in deadwood, trees, and leaf litter.
Click it, don't pick it
Fungi picking isn’t allowed at Calke. Help us ensure that everyone can enjoy the park at its best by not foraging at Calke and taking a photo instead.
Rutting season
The Deer Park comes alive in autumn with bellowing roars and clashing antlers, as the fallow bucks and red stags put on an adrenaline fuelled display of dominance to compete for the attention of the females.
Follow the purple waymarked walk around the perimeter of the Deer Park or perch on a bench in the corner of the main car park to witness this spectacle in action.
We recommend visiting first thing in the morning or just before dusk, as this is when they are most active.
Cycling at Calke
Get wonderful views from your saddle as you explore the ancient parkland at Calke Abbey on a leisurely bike ride. The Tramway Trail, a circular, multi-use trail, is perfect for family bike rides – it's relatively flat and there are minimal road crossings.
The best place to park for a bike ride is at Calke Explore, where you can jump straight on the Tramway Trail. You'll find a map of the route here, and outside the Ticket Office.
Cycle hire at Calke Explore
From Saturday 1 March – Sunday 2 November, cycle hire will be available at Calke Explore from 10am to 4.30pm (last hire 2.30pm) every weekend, bank holiday and on select school holiday dates. Please look at the opening times on our homepage to find out when these are.
Prices: £10 per adult bike, £7 per child bike (under 18s), and £7 per trailer (including dog trailers) for 2 hours hire. Balance bikes are free of charge.
All bikes and trailers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Park guided walks
Park guided walks are available from Saturday 1 March until Saturday 1 November.
Whether you're a seasoned walker at Calke or it's your first visit, a guided walk in the park is a great way to explore, and we guarantee you'll discover something you never knew about the estate.
Guided walks take place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 11am and 2pm (subject to volunteer availability), starting outside the Ticket Office. They're free and flexible, typically lasting around 90 minutes.
Ancient trees and woodland
A third of the historic Calke Abbey Estate is recognised as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. This ancient wood pasture and its historic avenues are home to over 650 veteran trees, more than half of which are considered ancient.
The ‘Old Man of Calke’ is perhaps the most well-known ancient veteran tree. At an estimated 1,200 years old, he certainly earns his title. Follow the pink waymarked walk from the main car park to visit the Old Man.
Many of the trees in the park are thought to be over 400 years old, which means they'd have been over 100 years old during Shakespeare's time. These ancient trees are a mix of species, such as limes, field maples, ash, beech and chestnuts, as well as oak.
Deadwood is good wood
While exploring the parkland, you might notice branches that have fallen and been left on the ground, as well as entire fallen trees. This deadwood provides a valuable habitat and Calke’s parkland is one of Britain's best sites for deadwood invertebrates. Calke is home to over 200 types of beetle that rely on deadwood – such as the wasp beetle, which mimics wasps to avoid predation.
Visiting with a dog?
The park is a great place to walk with your four-legged friend, with miles of woodland walks and open countryside to explore.
Please bear in mind that dogs are required to be on a short lead in areas around the estate. To help you plan your doggy day out, take a look at our dog walking guide below.
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Visiting Calke Abbey with your dog
Calke Abbey is a three pawprint rated place. Visiting with your dog is one of the best ways to explore Calke's vast parkland, gardens and stableyards.
Cycling at Calke Abbey
Discover picturesque views of the Calke Estate on a bike ride along the Tramway Trail, with cycle hire and guided rides available.
Family-friendly things to do at Calke Abbey
Enjoy family days out at Calke Abbey this autumn. Go wild in the natural play area, ride along the Tramway Trail or dress up in the nurseries. This half term, discover more about bats on a brand-new trail, before venturing through the spooky tunnels below.
Our work outdoors at Calke Abbey
From wildlife and woodland management to historic planting in the garden, discover more about the vital conservation work we do in the outdoors at Calke Abbey.
Eating and shopping at Calke Abbey
There are plenty of places to refresh and refuel at Calke Abbey, where you'll find a café, shop, second-hand bookshop and seasonal pop-up facilities throughout the year.
Countryside and woodland
Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.
Countryside and woodland in the Peak District and Derbyshire
Find out about the extensive countryside and woodland places to explore in the Peak District and Derbyshire, from rugged peaks to wide expanses of moorland.
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
