Mr C and I took a trip out the other day. We've been saying for a long time that we should visit Calke Abbey as it's fairly close to where we live but never managed it, well, that's now ticked off the list.
Calke Abbey is a baroque house built on the site of a former priory and completed in 1704 for Sir John Harper. I won't go over all the history, you can read that yourself, but basically the house and estate were owned by successive Harpur baronets and were ultimately inherited by Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe (the last baronet) who was devoted to his collection of natural history specimens. The house and estate were passed down the generations and finally into the hands of Charles Harpur-Crew. His sudden death led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and in 1985 the estate was transferred to the National Trust.
The National Trust have done remedial works rather than a full restoration, and the interiors of the house remain as it was found in 1985. More or less untouched. It's as though the family just upped sticks and walked right out. It's quite eery seeing everything like that.
You start you tour around the stable buildings which are huge in themselves! Then you make you way down to the main house.
I wasn't prepared for how much 'stuff' there was in the house. It's so cluttered but the Harpur-Crewes were a wonderfully eccentric family who loathed to throw anything away so therefore amassed a massive collection, well, of anything and everything really. There's beautiful crockery, clothing, fine art and many more fascinating pieces from years gone by. The biggest collection is the stuffed animals and birds. They're bloody everywhere, peering at you from every corner. Quite freaky.
Come take a little tour around with me. I'm not showing too much because you really should go yourself.
Gadgets and gizmos and childhood toys and an awesome Vest pocket Kodak camera!
Butlers pantry
The Library
I think the following stuffed things and toys were all in the Yellow Room but don't quote me on that. There were so many rooms it was hard to keep up and remember. Towards the end this room was used as a storage room.
The bedroom of Sir Henry Harper and Nanette, Lady Crew, is shown exactly as The National Trust found it. Clothes, shoes, fancy parasols, all sorts.
Doesn't matter who you are, we all have to go!!!!
Through the eery servants passage and into The Kitchen.
All items as they were found. This main kitchen was abandoned in the 1920's due to a reduction in servants as a cost cutting measure. Just look at those pot and pans, just left there.
The cellars and the tunnels are incredible but you don't have to exit through these, there is another way out if you'd rather.
We didn't think for one minute we'd be in the house as long we we were, but time just slips away as you're wandering around. We still had plenty of time to explore the church and the gardens though.
But sadly not time to wander the vast grounds. And they really are vast with woods, ponds, deer park, and Tramway trail. That will take another day. We will come though and for sure in the Spring/Summer with a picnic and blanket in hand, especially as we now know it's close by.
Calke Abbey is an utterly fascinating place, capturing the eccentricity of the families that lived there.
A special place frozen in time.
Promise me you'll go visit?
If you want to read more or get visit info click here.
Your photography is amazing in this post! Not gonna lie, every time I see the name of this place, I think it says Cake Abbey. Now THAT is my idea of a good day out!
ReplyDeleteKirstie | Behind The Scent
Aww thanks so much Kirstie, tried really hard with them and it paid off! It's funny every time I typed Calke Abbey it corrected to Cake Abbey!!! xx
DeleteLovely blog post and great photos Steph! Looks like a really nice place to visit :)
ReplyDeletewww.radhikarecommends.com
Thank you Radhika. It's fabulous, you really must go one day. x
DeleteI am speechless, this is such a lovely place to visit. Absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeletexo
Anastasia
http://www.natbees.com
It's like stepping back in time, an amazing place Anastasia x
DeleteI love stuff like this! I'd love to visit when the kids are a bit older, since it's quite close. Your photos are amazing Steph, fab post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comments Lianne x
DeleteThe library looks amazing, I'd love to have my own room filled with books one day. The cellar looks really cool too :) Glad you had a nice day out! x
ReplyDeleteThe whole place is fascinating, we're going back for a second look this spring! x
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