Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Yesterday, Wednesday, was a perfect February morning for what is still winter. It was cold (very for us) but sunny with blue skies and that fresh smell that spring cannot be far away. So we headed off to Calke Abbey one of England’s Old Country Houses. So please join us on our tour of just part of this estate.
First of all let me explain that this is not a ‘Abbey’ despite the name. At one time back in the 12th century there was an Augustinian Priory on this site, but that disappeared when Henry VIII dissolved most of the religious establishments across the country.
The Estate which was a well wooded ‘Park’ land then passed to various families, then in 1622 it was acquired by Henry Harpur. It then remained in the Harpur Family, later to become the Harpur Crewe Family untill 1924 when the last owner died.
The House we see today is a Baroque Style Mansion House dating to the early 1700’s and had a named change to Calke Abbey on the instruction of the family in 1808.
But Calke Abbey was much more than a Stately Home. The Estate consisted of many farms, extensive Parkland and Deer Park, Walled Gardens more for sustainability than just pleasure.
Holme Farm, Calke
The whole estate employed a great many workers and by the nature of transport, agriculture and sport also required many horses….so it is not surprising that The Stable Block is quite something in its own right…
Calke Stable Block
The Harpur Crewe family had a great reputation for the care of their animals (not just the many horses) so I guess it is no surprise to see what a grand building was created as the Stable Block. Within the building there are many other trades needed for a large estate to function. Tack Rooms, workshops, slaughter house, a fire station and of course a blacksmiths workshop…
At this time of the year our Tour cannot take in the interior of the House. The National Trust who now maintain the house have ensured the large but quirky collection assembled by the past families is there for all to see. Over the winter months the house is closed to allow for important conservation work. It is a very different collection to that one normally finds in a ‘Stately Home’ and dare I say much more interesting.
But in February the Park Land is a wonderful location for a winter walk worth visiting just for that alone.
Only a brief Guided Tour but one I hope may wet your appetite to find out more and perhaps visit one day. As for the winters day it was great even till sundown
Just a suggestion for this weeks DP Photo Challenge – Tour Guide.
Go and see what other have suggested on this link:-
via Photo Challenge: Tour Guide
8th February
(C) David Oakes 2018
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 