Calke Abbey

Near Ashby is one of the most unique National Trust sites we've visited. Calke Abbey is similar to many in that it is a great and imposing house surrounded by a large estate with very impressive gardens and an ancient church. Furthermore, as with many such country manors in the late 1800s, it played an important part in the lives of the Derbyshire nobility. The fascinating difference is that the house was virtually abandoned in the 1920s and has been preserved nearly untouched since. As a result, we were able to experience the atmosphere and decor of a Victorian stately home – untouched with very little displaced. Certainly Kassie was impressed with the classroom, whose school supplies, teaching implements and children’s paraphernalia were left as if after a lesson… a century ago!

We hope that the National Trust, which spends millions to refurbish Royal beds to their former glory, will also see the wisdom in preserving such vivid snapshots of life in the past.

Date of Our Visit: August 2005