A Son of the Rock

Calke Abbey in Derbyshire is not actually an Abbey at all – and never has been. It is in fact a stately home but one of its owners thought that calling it an Abbey would give it a touch of gravitas.

Calke “Abbey” from distance:-

It is now run by the National Trust who took it over when the previous owner died. He had lived there more or less on his own for years with hardly any modern amenities and the place had been un”improved” for decades.

Unusually the National Trust decided not to restore the interior and contents but to leave them much as they had been found. This is in a gloriously cluttered and somewhat dilapidated state:-

Toy room:-

Rocking horse:-

Nursery clutter:-

Part of library:-

Clutter was also common in the larger rooms:-

At the end of the tour you can go through a tunnel which I think was intended for use by servants to access the stables without being seen by their employers or their guests. It brings you out at said stables:-

Looking towards the Abbey:-

Closer view of Abbey’s rear:-