Summer in Derbyshire is magical as I found out one sultry summer’s day while the country was in the middle of a heatwave.
Unphased by the 30° weather I found myself embarking on a day-trip to Calke Abbey.
The National Trust property is set around 15 miles and around 40 minutes away from Derby.
The country house estate nestled in 600 acres of countryside in Ticknall.
It’s a country house like you’ve probably never seen before.
Have you ever read Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations?
Calke Abbey is the architectural embodiment of Miss Havisham, a genteel and classy dame who lives in a state of elegant decay.
This embracing of the past, replete with peeling paintwork, faded wallpaper and remarkably well preserved family antiques makes Calke Abbey one of the most intriguing buildings I have visited in my life.
The grounds hold an equal amount of ‘say what now?’ disbelief.
Take a short five minute walk through a winding forest and you will find a secret stone wall garden.
I’m totally not into nature but even I got snap happy at the seemingly endless array of flowers.
Another point of fascination is the ice house.
Yes there is an ice house at Calke Abbey.
It was a place where people in the olden days stored ice in the winter to be used over the summer in the large abbey.
The final jaw-dropping moment was seeing grazing deer not far from the ice house, their beautiful brown ears twitching upwards in lazy curiosity as I walked past a herd.
How many surprises could Calke Abbey throw on me?
It turns out quite a lot.
My visit to Calke Abbey was a fun, interesting day out.
Although I’m not the biggest fan of nature (the friendly note to watch out for ‘abseiling caterpillars’ in the forest put the fear of God in me) I would highly recommend a visit to Calke Abbey.
Location: Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby DE73 7JF
Here are a selection of photos from Calke Abbey. Have you been and what are your thoughts?
1. Calke Abbey
Calke Abbey is an historic country house estate which is proud of its heritage, cleverly melding grandeur with decaying gentility. | Ria Ghei
2. Calke Abbey
There are over 4,000 books in the library at Calke Abbey. | Ria Ghei
3. Calke Abbey
The Church of St Giles tucked away on the grounds of Calke Abbey is a pretty building with stunning stained glass windows. | Ria Ghei
4. Calke Abbey
The 18th century Chinese bed locked away in a glass case for preservation is a captivating focal point inside Calke Abbey. | Ria Ghei