Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

The site on which Calke Abbey was built was an Augustinian priory from the 12th century until its dissolution by Henry VIII. The present building, named Calke Abbey in 1808, was never an abbey, but is a Baroque mansion built between 1701 and 1704. The house was owned by the Harpur family for 300 year until it was passed to the National Trust in 1985 in payment of death duties.

The current house was rebuilt by the 4th baronet, Sir John Harpur, between 1701 and 1704. The 10th baronet, Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe was devoted to his collection of natural history specimens. When he died in 1924, his daughter, Hilda Mosely, sold some of his collection of birds, butterflies and fishes to pay death duties. When she died in 1949 she was succeeded by her nephew, Charles Jenney who changed his name to Charles Harpur Crewe (born 1917). His sudden death in 1981 led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and the estate had to be handed over to the nation by his brother Henry.

Set in the midst of a landscape park, the National Trust present Calke Abbey as an illustration of the English country house in decline. A huge amount of remedial work but no restoration has been done and interiors are almost as they were found in 1985 so the decay of the building and its interiors has been halted but not reversed. The Trust manages the surrounding landscape park with a focus on nature conservation. It contains such features as a walled garden, with a flower garden and a kitchen garden.

Opening Times

Opening days and time vary throughout the year. Please check the website.

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Ticket Prices

Park and stables admission:
Adult £1.70,
Child 60p,
Family £4.40.

House and garden:
Adult £8.80
Child £4.50
Family £22.10

Garden only
Adult £4.80
Child £2.60
Family £12.30.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

Telephone: 01332 863 822

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