
Discover more at Calke Abbey
Find out when Calke Abbey is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
With a calendar of guided tours inside and out, there are lots of ways you can learn more about Calke Abbey and get the most out of your visit. Find out what tours are currently available, how to book and what to bring here.
Discover more about the historic collections and stories of Calke that you wouldn’t normally see, with a choice of two guided tours this winter.
Please note: all visitors, including National Trust members, need to pre-book their guided tour.
The buggy service will be available daily from 10.30am – 2.30pm (subject to volunteer availability) during winter, providing visitors with mobility needs or wheelchair users access to the house and gardens from the ticket office.
Available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6 November 2023 –29 February 2024, excluding Christmas Day.
Featuring for the first time this winter, delve into Calke's varied collection and discover items you've never seen before on this exclusive tour. Every object has a different tale to tell and provides valuable insight into the history of Calke and its people. Unearth these stories with your knowledgable guide.
Available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 November 2023 – 29 February 2024.
Follow in the footsteps of the people who kept this great house running like clockwork and discover their stories and the contributions they made to this great estate. Explore rooms and spaces specifically connected to the servants, venturing into areas not seen on the normal visitor route.
Garden tours are unavailable until spring 2024.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11.30am and 2pm
Ever wondered what secrets are buried in Calke’s gardens? Join a garden guide to discover the hidden history of the walled gardens, tucked away in the wooded pleasure grounds – from its faded glasshouses and boiler buildings, to the abundance of vibrant flowers and colourful produce overflowing from the beds.
Where to meet: Tours start at the front of the house by the sundial – look out for the garden guides in red shirts. Tours last approximately 45–50 minutes.
Booking: Not needed, although tours are limited to 15 people to ensure you get the most out of your experience. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
What to bring: Please wear suitable clothing for this outdoor tour and consider bringing a brolly in case of wet weather. We’re not deterred by a bit of rain!
Accessibility: The garden paths are accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, although there are some steps into the glasshouses. A Tramper is available to book during your visit.
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome to join a garden tour.
We have a programme of exclusive guided walks, approximately monthly, on a range of different topics. Keep an eye on the events page to find out about upcoming walks.
Park guided walks are unavailable until spring 2024.
Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 11am and 2pm
If only these trees could talk... Calke’s ancient parkland is steeped in history, from its roots as a religious ground to its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve. So what stories does this vast landscape have to tell? Join our knowledgeable park guides to find out – whether you’re new to Calke or a seasoned walker, we guarantee you’ll discover something new on these fascinating rambles.
Where to meet: Tours start outside the ticket office – look out for our park guides in red shirts. Walks last around 90 minutes.
Booking: Not needed, although groups are limited to 20 people on a first come, first served basis.
What to bring: We recommend wearing sturdy footwear, such as walking boots or comfortable wellies, and suitable clothing for the weather.
Accessibility: There may be steps, uneven ground and hills, so these walks aren’t suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs – but we can be flexible and tailor walks to suit your ability. Speak to a park guide for more information.
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a lead, except in the Deer Park – ask a park guide if today’s walk is suitable for dogs.
Find out when Calke Abbey is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Discover the 'un-stately' home at Calke Abbey, where peeling paint and abandoned rooms vividly portray a period when many country houses didn't survive.
Explore a vibrant and productive walled garden, look inside the faded glasshouses and explore Calke's fascinating collection of garden buildings.
Reconnect with nature and make yourself at home in acres of historic parkland on the Calke Abbey estate in Derbyshire.
Calke Abbey is the place where time stood still. Discover the history of the 'unstately home' as a religious priory and family home for 12 generations.
Discover a collection of contrasts at Calke Abbey, from lavish treasures such as the State Bed to a vast collection of decaying household objects, natural history and more.
Thanks to a dedicated team of speakers, we offer a Talks Service to bring Calke Abbey and Stoneywell’s stories directly to your group or society.