Sarah and I were enjoying a short break in Leicestershire. Well … I was enjoying a break. Sarah was working away. On our second day, while Sarah went back to Syston, I took the opportunity to visit Calke Abbey in Derbyshire.

The house didn’t open until after 12, so I took the opportunity to have a look around some of the estate. I began by following a path that led up to St Giles Church, which is situated within the estate boundaries.

St Giles Church is Calke Abbey‘s private chapel.

From there, I wandered over to the ‘Garden of Imagination’.

This contained lots of activities to stimulate young minds.

Through one of the gates was the walled garden.

The Orangerie was in need of repair … a theme that would be revisited again in the house.

The walled garden was spectacularly colourful.

Then I made my way back down to the house.

There was a special exhibition called Humankind taking place. I decided to take a quick look around. HumanKind explored stories of loneliness and isolation, kindness and compassion, past and present, through former individuals who lived at Calke Abbey.

I found the story of one of the housekeepers with the hidden secret of an illegitimate child particularly moving.

Finally, it was time to enter the house.

Calke Abbey was originally founded as a priory around 11.15. However, it was after it was purchased by Sir Henry Harpur in 1622 that it was rebuilt and took the shape that we see today.

That said, National Trust describes Calke Abbey as ‘the unstately home and country estate’.

This is because you are immediately overpowered by the sheer quantity of items in each room.

As you move through the house you begin to see the fascinating story of a country estate in decline. The National Trust have left the house as they found it, repaired not restored, and it shows the story of a family of hoarders.

This is in spite of the fact that only a third of the items remain.

The rest having been sold off to pay death duties.

The Harpurs were a family who kept themselves to themselves and shunned London life and aristocratic social circles.

It was all a fascinating time capsule.

Equally interesting were the tunnels running underneath the house which were used by the servants.

Back at surface level, I took a look around the stable complex.

It was then time to move on. I just had time for a quick visit to Staunton Harold Church.

The church is situated in the Staunton Harold Estate, next to Staunton Harold Hall, originally the seat of the Shirley family, though it has changed hands a few times in the last century.

It is also known as The Chapel of the Holy Trinity.

To be honest, it’s an interesting church to visit, but nothing outstandingly interesting.

After the quick look around the church grounds, it was now time to head back and pick up Sarah at the end of her working day in Syston. Visiting Calke Abbey and Staunton Harold Church is a fascinating day out and highly recommended.