Pictures of Calke Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Ticknall, in the county of Derbyshire

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About Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey was built between 1701-1703. The building, in the Baroque style, was built for Sir John Harpur. It is an extraordinary house, almost completely without adornment to both the exterior and interior. Instead of the normal collections of fine furniture, priceless paintings and objects d'art, the visitor is treated to a fascinating display of stuffed birds, mammals, fossils and other natural history relics, all laid out in rooms untouched since the 1880's.

The collection is the result of the house passing down a line of eccentric owners, all who had a deep and abiding interest in the natural world around them and sought to preserve their findings. There are many curiosities to be seen, plus the fun of invisible corridors, underground tunnels and a secret garden! Then suddenly, almost as if in a change of scene, in one of the bed chambers your eye's are drawn to a superb Chinese Silk bed from the 18th century.

Crippling death duties led to the house being transferred into the care of the National Trust. The surrounding parkland is managed with an eye to nature conservation, there are historic oaks, walled gardens, a restored Orangery and a deer park.

Other buildings on Calke Abbey estate include a church and farm buildings with animals. There is a well stocked shop, a cafe for refreshments, and during the season several special event days are held, each with a different theme. The house is also available for corporate events and functions.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Calke Abbey.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Calke Abbey

Staunton Harold Reservoir	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)	Pictures
Staunton Harold Hall	(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Melbourne Hall	(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Staunton Harold Church	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
New Lount Nature Reserve	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Ashby de la Zouch Castle	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction S)	Pictures
Conkers	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Grace Dieu Priory	(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Moira Furnace Museum	(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Elvaston Castle	(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction NE)	Pictures

All attractions in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Calke Abbey

Staunton Harold, in the county of Leicestershire (1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction SE)
Staunton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book when it was held by Henry de Ferrers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Swarkestone, in the county of Derbyshire (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction N)
Swarkestone is a small enchanting village which grew up on the reeeded banks of the River Trent.
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Ashby de la Zouch, in the county of Leicestershire (3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction S)
This town takes its name from the La Souche family, lords of the manor from about 1160. The Norman prefix distinguishes Ashby from other towns of similar name.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Repton, in the county of Derbyshire (4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction NW)
Repton is one of England's most ancient towns, it was once the capital of the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and the church there is the burial ground of Saxon Kings.
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Burton upon Trent, in the county of Staffordshire (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction W)
Burton-on-Trent is an attractive town, it has a pleasing market place surrounded by pleasant properties, some being timber-frame black and white.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Derby, in the county of Derbyshire (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction N)
This is the premier town of the Shire, it is steeped in history with roots stretching to Roman times - the legions had a camp...
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Tutbury, in the county of Staffordshire (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction W)
This picturesque little town in the Dove Valley is dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle.
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Long Eaton, in the county of Derbyshire (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NE)
Long Eaton is a small town lying on the River Trent around 8 miles east of Derby. The town has a history stretching back to the 7th century, but was for many centuries naught but a sleepy agricultural village.
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Loughborough, in the county of Leicestershire (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E)
The joyous sound of bells made in Loughborough have been rung all over the world since 1858, the date that John Taylor of Oxford...
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Church Broughton, in the county of Derbyshire (11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW)
Church Broughton is an attractive Derbyshire village lying in open countryside that is perhaps best noted for its ancient church dedicated to Saint Michael.
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All towns in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Willington Station	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction NW)
East Midlands Airport	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)
Peartree Station	(6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction N)
M1 Junction 23A	(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction E)
M1 Junction 24	(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction E)
Birmingham International Airport	(26.7 miles, 43.0 km, direction SW)
Calke Abbey to London	(106.3 miles, 171.1 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Calke Abbey

Hotel Name
The Hardinge Arms	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction NE)
The Queens Head Hotel	(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction S)
The Priest House On The River	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NE)
Unicorn Inn	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W)
Ramada Newton Park Burton	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W)
Donington Manor Hotel	(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction NE)
Thistle Hotel and Conference Centre East Midlands Airport	(6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction E)
Express By Holiday Inn Nottingham East Midlands Airport	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction E)
Days Inn Hotel Donington(Derby South)	(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NE)
Hermitage Park Hotel	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts