The Smithy in Calke Abbey offers a glimpse into the estate’s working past. Once needed to keep farm equipment, tools, and horseshoes in good repair, the ancient forge is fitted out with original bellows, an anvil, and a much-worked hearth. Look inside and imagine the smell, noise, and sensation of the blacksmith’s work, where iron was shaped through fire and craftsmanship over generations.
These atmospheric images capture the historic Smithy at Calke Abbey Stables, a preserved glimpse into the working life of a blacksmith from years gone by. The focal point is the forge, with its aged brick hearth and large, timeworn bellows resting beside it, once used to fuel the fire for metalwork. Hanging on a hook near the hearth, the blacksmith’s hat and coat remain untouched, as if waiting for their owner’s return, adding a poignant sense of stillness and nostalgia. The dim lighting and rustic textures of the space highlight the craftsmanship of the past, evoking the sounds and heat that once filled this workshop.