Calke Abbey
Derbyshire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby DE73 7JF
Telephone 01332 863822
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- No parking charge but per-person admission applies; main car park by Ticket Office plus Calke Explore; 3.6m height restriction on archway; postcode DE73 7JF
- Access
- Designated accessible parking; accessible toilets and Changing Places; Tramper and wheelchairs to borrow; buggy service to house and gardens; gravel paths with some steep slopes; house and orangery have steps
- Facilities
- Restaurant, café and kiosk, shop, plant shop, second-hand bookshop, toilets, guided tours, EV charging at Calke Explore
- Dogs
- Free to roam parkland under close control; on short leads in stableyards, gardens, restaurant, shop and bookshop; assistance dogs welcome in all areas
- Safety
- Uneven terrain in Kitchen Garden, orchard and park; steps in house and orangery; grotto and ice house not wheelchair accessible
Calke Abbey is a Baroque mansion the National Trust deliberately preserves in a state of gentle decline rather than fully restoring - peeling paintwork, abandoned rooms, and the vast collections of a family who rarely threw anything away. Reviewers say this makes it stand apart from other stately homes, and it has also been used as a filming location for Peaky Blinders.
Worth the trip
The "un-stately home" presentation itself - rooms left in a state of decline that tell a different story to the average restored country house.
Before you go
Allow time for the walled gardens and wider walks, which reviewers say draw as many visitors as the house itself.
Reviewers consistently praise Calke Abbey's distinctive character as an intentionally unrestored 'un-stately' home, with peeling paintwork, taxidermy and untouched rooms creating an atmosphere very different from more polished National Trust properties. The extensive parkland, ancient oaks, walled garden and tunnels are highlighted repeatedly as worth a full day alongside the house, with the cafe and restaurant praised for coping well with large crowds on busy days. Visitors are advised to arrive early and see the house before the gardens to avoid the busiest periods. The estate is also noted as popular for dog walking and as a filming location for television productions.
Baroque mansion deliberately preserved in a state of decline rather than fully restored
“National Trust house. Plenty of history to see here. Well worth a visit. Used for filming of some Peaky Blinders Immortal Man scenes and other shows filmed here. The Library is amazing. Great walks to be experienced…”- eric jones, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Easy access and parking and a decent cafe/restaurant to sample before exploring the trails, home and gardens.” - Lee
- Facilities
- “The cafe and restaurant were both excellent with enough seating for lots of visitors.” - noah cawley
Common questions about Calke Abbey
Where is Calke Abbey?
Calke Abbey is in Derbyshire, England, at Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby DE73 7JF.
Do you need a ticket to visit Calke Abbey?
Yes - Calke Abbey is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Calke Abbey?
Yes - Calke Abbey offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the stately home itself or within its grounds. See the Stately Homes You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
Is Calke Abbey dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Calke Abbey - one reviewer noted: “…dly and manage the place superbly. Very dog friendly too and hope to return in the near future to explore more o…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
What is the highlight of visiting Calke Abbey?
The "un-stately home" presentation itself - rooms left in a state of decline that tell a different story to the average restored country house.
