Home via Calke House Derby

Time to say goodbye to Trevor and his wonderful staff at 'The Talbot'.

As I have previously mentioned with time on our hands we try and avoid motorways on our journeys, so once again we found ourselves travelling on the undulating country roads north towards Derby.

We had planned to stop off at Calke Abbey near Ticknall. From what I have read it sounded an interesting place set in 240 acres of land, part of which is a designated National Nature Reserve where wildlife comes first. Admission to the house was by timed tickets and as we were in the first group of the day we had time to look around part of the estate. As usual I was keen to see the walled gardens.

Their border display of dahlias was wonderful and the size of some of the flower heads amazing. Through the archway we entered the vegetable plots where the collection of pumpkins was in progress. (I had noticed that all the produce grown is used in their restaurant.) In each of the plots a scarecrow had been created, which would no doubt amuse the younger

visitors to the house.

I noticed there were lots of ideas for keeping the kids amused apart from the usual play area. If getting around the estate was a problem then there was a buggy service. (From the main gate to the car park the driveway is over a mile long!)

We looked out over the large lake only to be told during the tour of the house that it is a reservoir and doesn't belong to the estate. Before the creation of the reservoir the owner would drive out of the estate along a road into the neighbouring area. It was hard to believe as it seemed to fit in so well with the surroundings bearing in mind that most stately houses have some water feature. We had hoped to visit the Church but of all days it was closed due to the fall of a large tree the previous day. The estate has trees at least 400 years old.

Inside the house was certainly stepping back in time. Built in the 1880's little has changed in its faded splendour. The house closes for 2 consecutive days so that the curtains and shutters can be closed for long periods to protect the furnishings and ancient wallpaper. The owner was certainly eccentric and throughout we saw shells, fossils, and what I can only describe as junk in numerous table top display cases that had been hoarded from their travels. We were also able to look at a large collection of stuffed birds in no end of rooms.It was all so different - just organised chaos! Fascinating visit all the same. I guess you could say it is an historic treasure and quite unique considering how many country houses have disappeared over the years.