Family-friendly things to do at Calke Abbey

Little wheels cycle skills sessions

Put your cycling skills to the test on a balance bike course at Calke Explore.

Revisit every Thursday to tackle a brand-new course and build your confidence on two wheels by weaving through slalom poles, balancing over bridges, and tackling ramps.

Embark on a two-wheeled adventure

Get pedalling this summer along the Tramway Trail from Calke Explore. With a relatively flat route and fantastic views across the parkland, it’s the perfect route for a family ride.

Go wild in the natural play area

Discover natural play nestled in the woodland at Calke Explore and spend the afternoon climbing, swinging, and spinning amongst nature.

With cover amongst the trees, the natural play area is a great way to enjoy time in the outdoors, no matter the weather.

Useful things to know

Forgotten your sunhat? Borrow a hat or umbrella from the Shed of Imagination and then return it on your way out.

Looking to cool off? Build your own den in the Garden of Imagination or play in Calke Explore’s woodland.

Feeling peckish? Head to Snack and Relax in the Garden of Imagination or the kiosk at Calke Explore to purchase ice creams and other refreshments.

Feeling thirsty? Refill your water bottle in the restaurant, café, Shed of Imagination, or the kiosk at Calke Explore.

Need the loo? Toilets are available in the gardens and at Calke Explore, including accessible toilets.

Accessibility

A buggy service is available from the Ticket Office to the gardens, which is just a short walk away from the Kitchen Garden.

The Zen Zone is a designated quiet space in the Kitchen Garden for those that need to recuperate after an afternoon of active play.

There are many sensory elements throughout the Garden of Imagination, including a sensory tent, a barefoot walk in the Zen Zone and musical instruments in The Musical Magic Theatre.

The maze in Adventure Avenue and the racecourse in Hobby Horse Championships is 1.5 metres wide to allow for wheelchair users and there are also wheelchair-friendly hobby horses.

Where next?

Completed summer at Calke? Explore somewhere new and discover endless opportunities of play at all our places.

Planning your family visit

If you're planning a day out at Calke Abbey with the family, here is some useful information at a glance:

• Car parking is available at Calke Explore; if this is full, it's a 10-minute walk to Calke Explore from the main car park with accessible routes available.
• The natural play trail is open year-round at Calke Explore.
• The playground in the Stableyards is a short walk from the main car park.
• Baby changing facilities are available near the café and in the accessible toilet at Calke Explore.
• Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere on site.

Family friendly things to do around the estate

If you go down to the woods today, you'll discover lots of family-friendly activities at Calke Explore. Nestled into the woodland, Calke Explore is the perfect base for family adventures in the outdoors, including an exciting natural play area, open all year round.

You'll also find easy access to walking and cycling routes, along with cycle hire for all the family, and nature-themed activities during school holidays.

Follow the signs on the driveway to park at Calke Explore, where there's a refreshments kiosk, toilets, Changing Places facility and plenty of picnic benches.

Visiting Calke with a pushchair?

Planning a visit for you and your little one? Here are a few tips to bear in mind when visiting with a buggy.

For a level walk around the parkland, head to Calke Explore and venture onto the multi-use Tramway Trail. With hard paths and the choice between a shorter or longer route, its perfect for a family walk all year round.

Calke’s waymarked walks may include some areas of uneven terrain and steps, which can be navigated with a pushchair if you’re able to lift the buggy up shallow steps. You can find specific information about the terrain of each walk outside the ticket office.

If you’re planning a visit to the house or tunnels, it may be better to leave the buggy in the car as they can’t be taken inside. There is a space to leave them outside the house, but this is not undercover. Hip carriers are available for you to borrow to use around the house, subject to availability.

Buggies must be left outside the house. To avoid walking back down to the house to collect your buggy after emerging from the tunnels, leave them behind in the car and borrow a baby carrier from the house, subject to availability.

See displays all year round in the gardens, with wide paths suitable for pushchairs. There are no steps in the gardens; however, there is a slope up to the gardens and some narrow paths in the Physic Garden you may wish to avoid.

There is level access in the café and one step at the far end of the seating area in the restaurant. At busy times, we recommend the café or the raised seated area of the restaurant where there is more space between tables.