Calke Abbey

Infobox Historic building

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caption=Calke Abbey
name=Calke Abbey
location_town=Ticknall, Derbyshire
location_country=England
architect=
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coordinates=
engineer=
construction_start_date=1701
completion_date=1704
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Calke Abbey is a country house near Ticknall, Derbyshire, England, a Grade I listed building [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=82818&mode=quick Images of England, architectural description] ] and a property of the National Trust. The site was an Augustinian priory from the 12th century until its dissolution by Henry VIII.

The present building called Calke Abbey was never actually an abbey, but is rather a Baroque mansion, built between 1701 and 1704. The name "Calke Abbey" was given to the house in 1808.

History

The estate had belonged to the Harpur family from 1622 to 1985. They were baronets from 1626, and the last (Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe, 10th Baronet) died in 1924. The sudden death of Charles Harpur-Crewe (born 1917) in 1981 led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and the estate had to be sold by his brother Henry (born 1921). [http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/calke.htm]

To the side of the is large Quadrangle of buildings forming the old stable yard and farm, complete with old carriages & farm implements. The out buildings incorperat a brewhouse, that was linked to the main house by a tunnel.

Present day

Set in the midst of a landscape park, the National Trust presented Calke Abbey as an illustration of the English country house in decline. Little restoration has been done and interiors have remained untouched since the 1880s. The Trust manages the surrounding landscape park with an eye to nature conservation. It contains such features as a walled garden, with a flower garden and a former physic garden, now managed as a kitchen garden. The facades have all been cleaned since the above right photo.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-calkeabbey/ Calke Abbey information at National Trust]
* [http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/calke.htm Page from Save Britain's Heritage about the National Trust's acquisition of Calke Abbey]
* [http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/features/calke/ Another Calke Abbey page]
* [http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/475454 A page of photos, mainly of the garden]
* [http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/areas_a_h/calkeabbey.htm Another photo page, again mainly of the garden]