Calke Abbey was built in 1701-4 and is surrounded by a beautiful landscaped park. Calke Abbey is described as a English country house in decline, very little has changed inside the house since the 1880's which includes the natural history collection of the Harpur-Crewe family who lived there since 1622.
 Visit the National Trust website for more information on admission prices and opening times. 
20/05/06

To see a map of the area click here

Calke Abbey, the south front

From the house looking towards the church

A short walk from the south front of the house is St. Giles church

St. Giles Church

Path from the church to the pleasure grounds

In the pleasure grounds there are many colourful shrubs and trees

Entering the walled flower garden

Flower garden, at top left is the Auricula Theatre
 which was designed for displaying potted plants and of course auriculas.

The east side of the house

Unusual tree

The beautiful parkland

A short walk from the east side of the house, hidden out of view is the Grotto

The Grotto

Deer Park

New leaves backlit by the sun

Near the Ice house is this view of Staunton Harold Reservoir

Calke Abbey

A Relative, Calke Abbey and Ticknall

St Georges Church Ticknall

In the churchyard of St George's church in Ticknall is the burial place of Ann Banton ( 1790-1892 ), she was my great, great, great grandmother. She worked for a time as a Dairy Maid in 1811 under Sir Henry Harpur until she was married to George Banton in 1812.
She must have been very highly thought of by the Harpur family, on her 100th birthday she was treated to venison, roast beef and plumb pudding by Sir Vauncey H. Crewe, Bart. and the Hon. Lady Crewe on the Harpur-Crewe Estate.

                                   Carol Carlin 2006 

Ticknall, the lane off the main road in the village is called Banton Lane, Ann Banton lived in one of the cottages.

© Copyright Carol Carlin 2003-2008