Foremark Reservoir, near Swadlincote, is a popular destination offering a blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. Created in the 1970s, it provides a vital water supply for the region. Surrounded by woodland and open countryside, the reservoir attracts walkers, birdwatchers, and anglers. Its shores are home to diverse wildlife, and the water itself supports various aquatic species. With accessible paths and scenic views, Foremark Reservoir offers a peaceful escape and opportunities for outdoor enjoyment in South Derbyshire.

Foremark Reservoir

Foremark Reservoir has a capacity of approximately 6,140 million gallons and reaches a maximum depth of around 70 feet. Its construction involved building an earth embankment dam to impound water. Water is primarily pumped from the River Dove to fill and replenish the reservoir. From Foremark, water is then transferred onwards to the nearby Staunton Harold Reservoir. This interconnected system ensures a reliable water supply for the surrounding areas in Derbyshire and Leicestershire. The engineering behind the reservoir is a crucial aspect of its function.

Foremark Reservoir Facilities

Foremark Reservoir offers visitor facilities including convenient parking and accessible toilets. The National Trust operates a popular refreshment kiosk, providing drinks and snacks. Families can also enjoy the dedicated children’s play area. Picnic areas are available for enjoying the scenic surroundings. For recreation, there are marked walking trails around the reservoir and opportunities for birdwatching. While swimming and boating are restricted to protect the water supply and wildlife, the focus is on enjoying the natural environment through walking and observation. Parking is available on-site, with charges applicable. National Trust members can park free of charge. The car park is locked by 8 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. For a detailed map and more information, you can refer to the National Trust’s resources on Foremark.

Burton Sailing Club at Foremark Reservoir

Foremark Reservoir is home to an active sailing club, offering racing and recreational sailing for various skill levels. Members enjoy regular racing events and likely benefit from training opportunities. A range of dinghy classes can be seen on the water. The club provides a social environment for sailing enthusiasts and essential facilities for its members.

Bays and Benches at Foremark Reservoir

Visitors are welcome to bring picnics and enjoy them throughout the nature reserve. There are formal picnic areas with benches provided and also hidden bays along the woodland walk. Dogs are welcome at Foremark and can explore various woodland and waterside routes. They can be off-lead in many areas if under close control but should be kept on short leads around car parks, visitor facilities, playgrounds, picnic benches, and along the bridleway, which is a multi-use route often used by horse riders. Dogs are not allowed in the water due to potential dangers such as blue-green algae.

Woodland Trail at Foremark Reservoir

The woodland surrounding Foremark Reservoir offers a delightful contrast to the open water, providing varied habitats and scenic walking trails. These woodlands are a mix of both established and more recently planted areas, creating a diverse environment for wildlife and offering different experiences for walkers. The trail at the southern end of the reservoir hugs the shoreline offering lovely views across to the dam. Delve deeper into the woodland to see ancient trees with paths leading through the dappled shade to the water below.

Carvers Rocks, located at the southern tip of the reservoir, is recognised as an SSSI for its valuable geology and plant life, including one of Derbyshire’s last patches of lowland heath adorned with blooming heather.

A Circular Walk around Foremark Reservoir

Enjoy a scenic circular walk around Foremark Reservoir. Cross Dragonfly Bridge at the southern end of the reservoir and follow the footpath to a road alongside Repton Scrubs. Continue through the natural beauty of Repton Common before returning to the reservoir’s main entrance via the Ticknall to Milton road. This route offers varied landscapes and opportunities to appreciate the area’s wildlife and tranquillity. The walk is around 4.5 miles in length but does not follow the shoreline on the east side of the reservoir. The walk is not waymarked so kit yourself out with the appropriate OS Map.

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Carvers Rocks is a stunning nature reserve at the southern edge of Foremark Reservoir in South Derbyshire. The site features dramatic gritstone outcrops shaped by erosion over thousands of years. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare wetland and heathland habitats. The reserve is home to diverse wildlife, including dragonflies, woodpeckers, and rare plants. Managed by the National Trust, Carvers Rocks offers scenic trails through woodland, marsh, and open heath.

The Origin of the Name Carvers Rocks

Carvers Rocks was historically known as Repton Rocks in 1836 and later as Dawson’s Rocks, possibly linked to the Dawson family of Repton Waste Farm. The current name is believed to come from Lawrence Carver of Ticknall, born in 1701, or his family. Another theory suggests the name derives from the weathered, carved appearance of the gritstone formations. Over time, the local association with the Carver name took hold, shaping the identity of this striking Derbyshire landscape. Other names may have included Lowes Rocks and Hartshorn Rocks.

The Geology of Carvers Rocks

Carvers Rocks’ dramatic presence is rooted in geology. Formed during the Carboniferous period, around 300 million years ago, they are part of the Millstone Grit series. These layers of coarse-grained sandstone were deposited by vast river systems flowing across what was then a tropical region. Over millions of years, subsequent layers of sediment buried the gritstone, which then solidified under pressure. Later tectonic activity and erosion by ice and water sculpted the landscape, eventually exposing these resistant gritstone outcrops we see today. Unlike softer sandstones, gritstone contains larger quartz grains, making it more resistant to erosion, leading to the sculpted formations visible today.

Carver Rocks SSSI

Carvers Rocks SSSI, features a mosaic of habitats that support a diverse range of wildlife. The acidic grasslands and heathland provide a habitat for species such as the common lizard, butterflies, and moths. Ancient oak and birch woodlands shelter woodland birds, while buzzards and kestrels soar overhead. The rocky outcrops host specialist lichens and mosses, thriving in the exposed conditions.

Wetland patches and the Foremark Reservoir fringe attract waterfowl, including the Great Crested Grebe. Marshy areas support dragonflies, damselflies, and rare plants like bog asphodel and sundew. Seasonal highlights include spring bluebells and autumn fungi, making Carvers Rocks a vital site for biodiversity and conservation.

Heathland at Carvers Rocks

At Carvers Rocks, the upper regions feature a rare patch of lowland heath, characterised by heather (Calluna vulgaris) and acidic grassland communities. This habitat is uncommon in Derbyshire, making it ecologically significant. The thin, nutrient-poor soils atop the gritstone formations support heather, which blooms vibrantly in late summer and early autumn. This heathland provides habitat for various invertebrates, including butterflies and moths, and reptiles like the common lizard. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining this delicate ecosystem due to its rarity and biodiversity value.

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The Ticknall Tramway and Limeyards offer a fascinating glimpse into the industrial past of this South Derbyshire village. Built in the late 18th century, the tramway was a pioneering horse-drawn railway used to transport limestone. This valuable resource was quarried from the nearby limeyards, a hive of activity where stone was processed into lime for agricultural and building purposes. The remnants of both the tramway and the limeyards provide a tangible link to a time of significant industrial development in the region. Exploring these sites reveals the ingenuity and hard labour that shaped the landscape and local communities.

Ticknall Limeyards in the 1800s

The image depicts the Ticknall Limeyards in their bustling heyday, a stark contrast to their present state. The scene is dominated by numerous circular lime kilns, their tops glowing with intense heat and emitting plumes of smoke, visually confirming the text’s description: “Imagine the smoke, grime and dust filling the air…” Workers are shown actively tending to the kilns, some shovelling material while others oversee the burning process. A horse-drawn tramway, a key element of the Ticknall industrial landscape, snakes through the yard, transporting raw limestone or finished lime. The text further explains, “The structures before you are the old lime kilns. They were used to burn crushed limestone using coal as a fuel.” The illustration vividly brings to life the text’s account of the kilns working “24 hours a day,” highlighting the intense industrial activity that once characterised this location.

Ticknall Limeyards Today

Looking at the photo above, the Ticknall Limeyards today present a tranquil scene, a stark contrast to the industrial activity depicted in the earlier image. The landscape is now dominated by greenery, with trees and vegetation reclaiming much of the site. The remnants of the lime kilns are still visible, appearing as moss-covered stone structures, partially collapsed and overgrown. The tramway lines are no longer present, and the overall impression is one of nature gradually absorbing the industrial past.

Ticknall Limeyards and the National Trust

The Ticknall Limeyards are owned and managed by the National Trust, as they are part of the wider Calke Abbey estate. The National Trust’s philosophy for managing industrial heritage sites like this generally leans towards conservation that acknowledges the site’s history without necessarily aiming for full restoration. They often prioritise stabilisation to prevent further decay and make the sites safe for visitors, while also allowing nature to take its course to a certain extent.

The focus is often on interpretation, helping visitors understand the site’s past and its significance. This can involve information panels, guided walks, and sometimes carefully managed access to certain areas. In the case of Ticknall Limeyards, which are also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their geological importance and the presence of calcareous grassland and orchids, the National Trust’s management would also prioritise ecological conservation. This means balancing the preservation of the industrial remains with the need to protect and enhance the natural environment that has developed there.

Therefore, the Limeyards are likely managed to be safe and accessible for visitors to explore, with information provided about their history. The visible ruins are preserved to prevent further collapse, but there’s likely no attempt to rebuild or recreate the industrial processes that once took place. Instead, the site is presented as a historical landscape where nature and industry have intertwined, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

Blackwater Pit at Ticknall Limeyards

Blackwater Pit at Ticknall Limeyards reveals the area’s industrial past. Its steep limestone sides show how deeply it was quarried. A historical photo featured in Ticknall Life captures a stone-crushing machine once used here. The article by Bryan Smith is well worth a read and includes a map of the area pinpointing the different limeyards. Over time, the pit flooded, transforming into a tranquil water-filled basin. Today, it is surrounded by woodland, with wildlife thriving around its clear, reflective waters. Walkers explore the scenic trails, passing remnants of lime kilns and tramways that once powered the local industry.

Ticknall Tramway

The Ticknall Tramway was a pioneering horse-drawn railway constructed in the late 18th century, primarily to transport limestone from the quarries and limeyards around Ticknall to the Ashby Canal. This was a crucial link in the transportation network, facilitating the distribution of lime for agricultural and building purposes across the wider region.

Raw limestone was transported from the quarries to the limeyards for processing, and then the burnt lime was moved to the canal for onward shipping. It also likely carried coal to fuel the lime kilns and potentially other goods related to the industrial activities in the area.

The tramway utilised wooden rails, later replaced with cast iron, upon which wagons were pulled by horses. The gauge of the track was 4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm). Horses would pull the loaded wagons along the track, providing a more efficient and faster method of transportation compared to traditional carts on roads. The incline of the terrain sometimes required multiple horses for heavier loads, and careful management was needed for descents.

The Route of the Ticknall Tramway

The main line of the tramway was approximately 12.8 miles (20.6 km) long. It stretched from the lime quarries and limeyards around Ticknall down to Willesley Basin on the Ashby Canal. Within the Ticknall area, there were various branches and sidings to serve different quarries and industrial sites. The route generally followed the contours of the land, utilising cuttings and embankments to maintain a relatively level track. While the main terminus was Willesley Basin, the tramway’s network was centred around Ticknall, connecting the various industrial activities to the canal system.

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Beyond the manicured flowerbeds and productive kitchen gardens lies a fascinating network of spaces essential to maintaining Calke Abbey’s horticultural beauty. The Gardeners’ Bothy, a humble yet vital structure, provided a place for the team to rest and plan their work. A ‘secret tunnel’, though perhaps not entirely hidden, offered a practical route for transporting materials unseen by the family. Furthermore, the stove houses played a crucial role in nurturing delicate and exotic plants, ensuring a vibrant display throughout the seasons. These often-overlooked areas reveal the dedication and ingenuity behind Calke’s stunning landscapes.

The Gardeners’ Bothy at Calke Abbey

Step inside the Gardeners’ Bothy at Calke Abbey, a space that echoes with the daily rhythms of horticultural work. This humble room, filled with tools and reminders of tasks past, served as the heart of the garden operations. Imagine the gardeners gathering here, perhaps discussing entries for the Ticknall Village Hall show, their prize certificates proudly displayed. The walls, lined with these accolades and various tools, speak of practical knowledge and dedication. Note the seed drawers, a testament to careful planning for future blooms and harvests. This bothy offers a glimpse into the hardworking lives that shaped Calke’s celebrated landscapes.

The ‘Secret’ Gardeners’ Tunnel at Calke Abbey

Venture into the intriguing tunnel at Calke Abbey, a practical yet somewhat mysterious passage. This subterranean route offered a discreet way for gardeners to move around the estate. Imagine them transporting plants, tools, or harvested produce unseen by the family or visitors above. The tunnel speaks to the functional design of the gardens, prioritising efficiency and maintaining a sense of seamless operation. It’s a hidden artery that supported the beauty and productivity of Calke’s grounds.

The Stone Trough and Hand Pump at Calke Abbey

Beside the Gardener’s Bothy sits a sturdy stone trough and a weathered wooden handpump. This practical setup served the kitchen and physic gardens, providing a place to wash freshly harvested vegetables, perhaps even medicinal herbs. The trough, worn smooth by time and use, collected water drawn from below by the pump. This simple yet essential feature highlights the self-sufficiency of Calke Abbey’s past, where even the washing of produce was a hands-on process.

The Flower Garden Backsheds at Calke Abbey

The Flower Garden Backsheds at Calke Abbey served as essential support structures for the vibrant flower garden. The two sheds provided practical spaces for the gardeners. One acted as a “sitting in” shed, offering a sheltered area with a fireplace for breaks and respite. Visible in the photo is the fireplace. The other housed a small boiler, crucial for heating the glasshouse within the flower garden, ensuring the survival of delicate plants.

The Cockle Stove in Calke Abbey Gardens

A cockle stove is a type of heating system that warms air within a chamber surrounding a firebox and then circulates this heated air, often through ducts, to warm rooms. Unlike stoves that directly radiate heat, cockle stoves are early forms of central heating. They are typically masonry-built and designed for efficiency in distributing warmth throughout a building.

The cockle stove at Calke Abbey, installed in 1828 by Harrison of Derby, is a rare survival of this technology. Harrison of Derby was a known firm of the time, and their involvement suggests a quality installation. This particular stove would have been crucial for maintaining a stable, warm environment in the glasshouse, allowing for the cultivation of delicate and exotic plants even during colder months. Being a rare example, it offers a valuable insight into 19th-century heating technology and the specific needs of maintaining a large estate’s gardens.

East Stove House in Calke Abbey Gardens

The East Stove House at Calke Abbey Gardens, was a vital component of the estate’s horticultural operations. This structure housed a stove, likely a cockle stove given the date of the other one, which provided heat for an adjacent glasshouse. The consistent warmth generated within the stove house would have been essential for cultivating tender and exotic plants, extending the growing season and allowing the Victorian gardeners to showcase a wider variety of flora.

The photo shows a brick-built structure with remnants of the heating system. You can see arched openings that would have been part of the stove itself or the flues for distributing heat. The presence of a large metal container might be related to fuel storage or water heating. While appearing somewhat dilapidated now, the East Stove House stands as a testament to the ingenuity and effort invested in maintaining the gardens at their peak. It highlights the importance of controlled environments in Victorian horticulture and the dedication of the gardeners who managed them.

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The gardens at Calke Abbey offer a captivating glimpse into the estate’s rich horticultural heritage. The kitchen garden, with its aged walls and weathered glasshouses, evokes a sense of faded grandeur. The flower garden bursts with vibrant, seasonal blooms, while the tranquil physic garden reveals a fascinating collection of medicinal plants once used for healing. Together, these gardens provide a peaceful retreat, brimming with history and natural beauty.

The Flower Garden at Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey’s flower garden, a testament to Lady Georgiana’s passion, offers a captivating glimpse into historical horticultural practices. Built in 1856 the garden features a unique auricula theatre thought to be England’s oldest surviving example. This meticulously maintained space, with its original Victorian layout, is “bedded out” twice yearly, mirroring 1850s techniques. The garden features Victorian-era glasshouses, which were used to grow exotic plants and extend the flowering season. Throughout the year, the flower garden bursts with colour – from early spring bulbs to summer roses and vibrant autumnal hues. It provides a serene space for visitors to wander, while also offering a glimpse into the horticultural tastes and traditions of the estate’s former owners.

The Kitchen Garden at Calke Abbey

Looking out across the expansive green lawn, the ghostly outlines of former garden beds whisper tales of Calke Abbey’s industrious past. This was once a thriving kitchen garden, a vital source of fruit, vegetables, and flowers for the household. More than just a place of production, it served as a tranquil retreat for the family.

On colder days, the family would seek refuge in the heated orangery, with its distinctive arched windows, surrounded by exotic plants.

The garden’s vibrant purpose faded after the Second World War, and by the 1970s, it had been ploughed up for pasture, leaving behind only the subtle contours we see today. These faint remnants, now softened by time and grass, serve as a poignant reminder of Calke’s heyday and the self-sufficient lifestyle it once embodied.

The Physic Garden at Calke Abbey

The Physic Garden at Calke Abbey is a fascinating glimpse into the estate’s working past. In the late 1700s, it was a practical space where herbs were cultivated for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Glasshouses and heated frames were later introduced, allowing the gardeners to grow vegetables and exotic fruits year-round, including cucumbers, melons, grapes, and even pineapples. This productive garden was largely functional, with the family unlikely to visit.

Today, the Physic Garden remains the main productive garden. It is now home to areas dedicated to cut flowers, vegetables, herbs, and soft fruits, as well as orchards of apples and plums. In spring, the garden comes to life with neatly arranged rows of emerging plants, promising an abundant harvest later in the year. Despite its practical purpose, it offers a peaceful, rustic beauty, with pathways lined by lavender and bordered by neatly pruned fruit bushes.

Scarecrows in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey

The scarecrows in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey are a charming and playful feature, adding a touch of whimsy to the historic, working garden. They are created by the garden team and volunteers, often dressed in period-style or rustic clothing, giving them a characterful, old-world charm. These scarecrows serve a practical purpose by deterring birds from feasting on the fruit and vegetable crops, but they also contribute to the garden’s storytelling, evoking the spirit of its agricultural past.

Throughout the year, the scarecrows sometimes take on seasonal themes, reflecting events or changes in the garden. Their presence adds to the Physic Garden’s quaint, lived-in atmosphere, making it feel like a working, yet slightly enchanted, part of the estate.

The Vinery in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey

The Vinery in one of the glasshouses at Calke Abbey’s Physic Garden is a fascinating remnant of the estate’s productive past. Built to cultivate grapevines, it reflects the Georgian and Victorian-era fascination with growing exotic fruits in England’s temperate climate. The glasshouse, with its heated frames and controlled environment, allowed the gardeners to extend the growing season and produce plump, sweet grapes for the family’s table—an impressive luxury at the time.

Grape Varieties Grown in the Vinery

The Vinery in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey is home to several historic and distinctive grape varieties, each with its own unique characteristics:

Buckland Sweetwater – A traditional English dessert grape, Buckland Sweetwater was popular in Victorian glasshouses for its sweet, juicy flavour and pale green skin. It ripens early, making it well-suited to the temperamental British climate, and was prized for its delicate sweetness.

Leon Millot – This red grape variety originated in France and is known for its early ripening and disease resistance, making it ideal for cooler climates. It produces deeply coloured grapes often used in winemaking, with rich, fruity notes and a hint of spice.

Seyval Blanc – A white grape variety, Seyval Blanc is widely grown in the UK due to its ability to thrive in cooler conditions. It produces crisp, refreshing white wines with citrus and apple notes, making it a favourite among English vineyards.

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Pleasure grounds are ornamental gardens or landscaped areas designed for leisurely enjoyment, often found around stately homes, country estates, or grand houses. They were particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, influenced by the English landscape garden movement.

Unlike formal gardens, which were symmetrical and highly manicured, pleasure grounds were typically more naturalistic and picturesque. The idea was to create a setting that felt both cultivated and a little wild, offering a sense of romance and escape. Pleasure grounds were meant for gentle recreation—walking, socializing, and contemplating nature – rather than practical use, like kitchen gardens or working farmland.

The Pleasure Grounds at Calke Abbey

The pleasure grounds at Calke Abbey reflect the romantic elegance of 18th-century landscape design. Winding paths lead past lush lawns, ancient trees, and ornamental planting, creating a tranquil space for leisurely strolls. Highlights include the Grotto and the Ice House, adding a sense of mystery and charm. A sundial near the house offers a timeless focal point, while the scenic, naturalistic setting makes the grounds perfect for gentle recreation and quiet contemplation.

The Grotto at Calke Abbey

The Grotto at Calke Abbey is a charming 18th-century garden feature, designed as a rustic retreat within the pleasure grounds. Built from local stone, its weathered, cave-like structure offers a secluded spot for quiet reflection. Once a fashionable addition to romantic landscapes, the Grotto now adds a touch of mystery and nostalgia to Calke’s historic gardens.

The Ice House at Calke Abbey

The Ice House at Calke Abbey is a historic, subterranean structure once used to store ice for preserving food. Built into a shaded bank, its domed brick chamber kept ice frozen well into summer. A testament to 18th-century ingenuity, the Ice House offers a glimpse into the estate’s past, blending practicality with the charm of the surrounding pleasure grounds.

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The brewhouse tunnel at Calke Abbey offers a fascinating glimpse into the estate’s historical workings. This subterranean passage connects the brewhouse to the main house, a testament to the practicalities of a self-sufficient estate. Its construction speaks to the desire to move goods, in this case, likely brewed beverages, discreetly and efficiently. The tunnel’s existence highlights the layered history of Calke Abbey, where both grand displays and everyday functions played vital roles.

Currently, the National Trust is celebrating spring at Calke Abbey, and the brewhouse tunnel is part of the festivities. It has been decorated with a special display of handmade blossom and illuminated with coloured lights, creating an eerie but festive experience. Exploring this space reveals the hidden infrastructure that supported life within the abbey’s walls, now transformed into a seasonal spectacle.

Calke Abbey’s brewhouse was a hub of activity, providing a vital necessity for the estate. Weekly brewing sessions yielded substantial quantities of beer and ale, with records from 1821 showing production exceeding 12,500 gallons of beer and 2,000 gallons of ale between April and December.

This output primarily served the residents and workers of the Calke estate. However, this practice ceased around 1860. The advent of railway transport to Melbourne enabled the importation of beer from external breweries, rendering the estate’s own brewing operations obsolete.

This pair of images showcases the rustic interior of Calke Abbey’s brewhouse. The first captures a ground-level view, highlighting large wooden vats and ceramic vessels that dominate the space, reflecting its historical function.

A weathered wooden door and a glimpse of a loft suggest a working environment frozen in time. The second image shifts focus to the building’s structure, with a large wooden vat perched atop a brick platform. Exposed brick walls, showing age and wear, reveal the building’s history, while a dark, arched doorway adds depth. The high, timbered ceiling and windows suggest a spacious, functional workspace. Together, they illustrate the brewhouse’s integral role in the estate’s self-sufficiency.

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St Giles’ Church, nestled within Calke Abbey’s grounds, offers a serene historical glimpse into the past. Originally a parish church for the village of Calke between 1160 and 1834, it’s now a private chapel. Notably, St Giles was a ‘peculiar’, exempt from the Bishop’s jurisdiction, a status abolished in the 1800s.

The church today is mainly the result of restoration by Sir George Crewe, 8th Baronet (1795-1844) between 1827-1829. Interwoven with the Calke estate’s history, it houses intricate family memorials, reflecting the Harpur-Crewe lineage. The church’s tranquil atmosphere and modest architecture provide a counterpoint to the abbey’s grandeur. Surrounded by the estate’s parkland, St Giles’ stands as a testament to centuries of local history and worship.

The photo above shows the main stained glass window in St Giles Church, Calke Abbey. It’s a vibrant, three-panel Victorian piece, featuring detailed religious scenes with figures in flowing robes. The central panel depicts a possible blessing or investiture, while the side panels show gatherings.

The window’s rich hues of red, blue, and yellow are characteristic of 19th-century stained glass. Geometric patterns and floral motifs surround the figurative scenes, adding to the window’s intricate design. The window is framed by a pointed arch and flanked by decorative stone carvings.

The above photo captures the serene interior of St Giles Church at Calke Abbey, offering a straight, eye-level view down the nave. The church’s simple elegance is evident in its light-coloured walls, punctuated by arched windows that allow soft daylight to filter in. A vibrant red carpet runs the length of the nave, contrasting with the pale stone floor and leading the eye towards the stained glass window at the far end.

Rows of wooden pews line either side, inviting contemplation. The ceiling, painted a calming blue with subtle detailing, adds a touch of colour to the otherwise understated space. A framed heraldic artwork on the left wall and a faded inscription on the right provide historical context. The overall impression is one of peaceful tranquillity, highlighting the church’s historical and spiritual significance.

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The old stables at Calke Abbey are a complex of buildings with a rich history. The stately brick stables were built in 1712-1716 by William Gilkes of Burton. The riding school was likely added between 1730 and 1770 by Joseph Pickford. The stable block consists of four ranges around a courtyard and features a two-story structure, a moulded stone plinth, chamfered quoins, and a hipped Welsh slate roof.

An outer stable block, (photo above) including stables, a barn, and a smithy, was constructed in the early 19th century, with the smithy potentially dating back to 1761. The smithy retains much of its original machinery, including the bellows.

The Carriage House at Calke Abbey

The south elevation of the carriage house has a clock face in the pediment, and the weather vane is a replacement from 1750. The interior includes late 18th-century stalls and fireproof construction with iron and brick vaults. The brewhouse in the east range retains some of its original machinery.

The Stable Yard at Calke Abbey

The above photograph showcases the Stable Yard at Calke Abbey, a spacious and functional complex of red brick buildings surrounding a central courtyard. The surrounding stables are simple and utilitarian. A tower rises above the stables, topped by a weather vane, adding a touch of architectural detail. Overall, the photograph captures the functional beauty of the Stable Yard, highlighting its simple, symmetrical design and its well-preserved state.

The Gamekeepers Cottage at Calke Abbey

The Gamekeeper’s Cottage (seen above) at Calke Abbey is located beside the Riding School. It has been left to decline and looks like it hasn’t been touched since the National Trust acquired Calke Abbey in the late 1980s. The cottage apparently has gunshot holes from when the gamekeeper and Sir Vauncey used to practice their aim. There are hooks in the ceiling where the gamekeeper would hang his kills. Sir Vauncey’s only confidant was his head gamekeeper, Agathos Pegg, who regularly accompanied him on shooting expeditions.

The Fire Engine at Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey houses a fascinating collection of carriages and vehicles in the Stable Yard, including the estate’s own hand-pump fire engine. This fire engine is a Newsham engine, a type that dominated the fire engine market in England in the early 18th century. Richard Newsham patented fire engines in 1721 and 1725. His engines featured two single-acting pistons and an air vessel within the tank forming the machine’s frame.

A Miscellanea at Calke Abbey Stables

This first photo captures a cluttered stable interior at Calke Abbey, filled with historical artifacts. Large stone wheels dominate the foreground, while a trough sits centrally. Assorted tools and machinery are scattered throughout, including a blue frame, a metal grinder, rakes, forks, a stool, and a small cabinet. The walls are rough and worn, with peeling paint, adding to the rustic charm. The overall scene offers a glimpse into the working life of the stables, showcasing the tools and equipment used in the past.

The second photo captures a dimly lit, brick-floored room, a storage area within the stables at Calke Abbey. Two carts, one with red accents and the other a simpler wooden frame, stand side-by-side. One of the carts is inscribed “Vauncey Harper Crewe, Calke Abbey, Derbyshire, 1901”. To the right, a wooden box bears the inscription “KENYA PRODUCE OF”. Long, rough-hewn wooden poles lean against the left wall, adding to the rustic atmosphere. The room’s brick walls and ceiling are weathered, hinting at its age.

The third photo showcases a collection of aged tools and equipment within Calke Abbey’s stables. Blue, wheelbarrows of differing sizes. Wooden frames and planks are scattered about, suggesting disassembled structures or repairs in progress. Long, weathered poles lean against the walls, hinting at agricultural use. A rustic wooden wheel lies on its side, and a metal chain hangs nearby. The varied collection evokes a sense of historical disarray, preserving the working character of the stables.

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Sunsets, those fleeting moments of fiery hues and soft pastels, hold a universal allure. They paint the sky with a masterpiece of colours, signalling the day’s end and the promise of twilight. People are drawn to their beauty, finding solace and wonder in the ever-changing canvas above. Sunsets offer a moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the natural world’s artistry. They evoke feelings of peace, romance, and nostalgia, making them a cherished spectacle across cultures and generations.

Sunset over Calke Abbey Parkland

This first image captures a serene sunset in Calke Abbey parkland. The sun, positioned near the horizon, casts a warm, golden glow across the landscape. The sky transitions from a soft blue on the left to a vibrant orange near the sun, with wispy clouds adding texture. A large, bare tree stands prominently on the left, its branches silhouetted against the sky. The foreground features a rolling green field with patches of sunlight highlighting the texture of the grass. A low stone wall runs across the midground, adding a rustic element to the scene. The overall atmosphere is tranquil and picturesque, showcasing the natural beauty of the park at dusk.

Sunset over Staunton Harold Reservoir

These next four images capture a tranquil sunset scene over Staunton Harold Reservoir. The setting sun, partially obscured by clouds, casts a warm, golden light across the sky and reflects on the water’s surface, creating a mirror-like effect. The skies are filled with a mix of soft blues, oranges, and yellows, with wispy clouds adding texture. The foreground features a shoreline with grasses and vegetation, leading to the calm water. In the distance, a treeline is visible, adding depth to the landscape.

Sunset over Scots Brook

This image captures a sunset over Scots Brook, leading to Staunton Harold Reservoir. The sun casts a warm light, blending pastel hues in the sky. A green field slopes towards the brook, with a faint path winding through it. Trees are silhouetted against the sky, adding depth to the landscape.

Sunset over Calke Abbey Parkland

This image captures a tranquil sunset in Calke Abbey parkland. The sun, near the horizon, casts a warm, golden glow through silhouetted trees. A path leads through a textured, grassy field, with hints of frost adding detail. The sky blends soft blues and oranges, with wispy clouds enhancing the scene.

The post Just Sunsets – Over Calke Abbey and Staunton Harold Reservoir appeared first on Photos of Calke and Beyond.