We visited National Trust’s Calke Abbey for the first time last week, and I absolutely fell in love with the gardens there. They went on and on, from rambling pleasure grounds, overgrown and wild, to formal gardens, a kitchen garden, fields, meadows and a grotto. There was so much to see and smell there. The children loved seeing it all and Boo was running about exploring, through the many doorways, which I loved seeing, imagining the winding paths behind them all, so here I am sharing the wonders of the Calke Abbey gardens..
Doorways, there’s something so magical about doorways, hidden and run down..
Oh to have wisteria like this. I absolutely adore it, and love to see it in all of its splendour…
We were out there for a good couple of hours, just meandering around the gardens (well, I meandered, whilst Boo covered miles running about!). It was an exploration and adventure, up winding pathways and through beautifully laid out lawns. Oh, to live at Calke Abbey…
I’ll be sharing more from this visit in a couple of days here, too, so look out for more Calke Abbey!
Every time I read your posts I feel like I NEED NT membership. I will get around to signing up at some point! x
You do need it! And look out for Saturday’s post then 😉
It looks stunning! Beautiful photos x
It is stunning. I want to go again!
Oh that really does look magical, can’t wait to visit the rest of Calke Abbey with you.
It’s so beautiful, Anne. Yes, come and visit more with me in a couple of days 🙂
lovely garden images and that wisteria is amazing!
Oh, there was loads of it, I just couldn’t capture all of the magic!
There is something very magical about these gardens…perhaps it’s the doorways (which I LOVE). Look forward to seeing the follow up posts.
Yes, those doorways had me mesmerised – they were everywhere, with ‘secret’ little paths leading off them.
awesome pics and what a great way to spend the day!
Absolutely! So pretty there x
Wonderful, this is why I love having a NT membership, to have places like this to see. It looks spectacular!
Yes, we love ours and make sure we get plenty of use out of it!
I love NT gardens, and that looks like a great one to visit. A walled garden too… my favourite!
Me, too! And there were just loads of walled gardens within the garden!
This looks like such a pretty place to visit! That wisteria is stunning! x #HDYGG
There was loads of it – so beautiful x
so lovely 😉 love a bit of nature with the toddler :))) x
Oh yes, my kids just run about as they have space!!
I am in awe of the place and your photos! Sigh! What a pretty place =) #hdygg
Oh, it is awe-inspiring. So stunning x
Ooh, haven’t been to Calke for ages-fabulous place to explore. Obviously I’m loving the gnarled tree especially 🙂
It’s brilliant, isn’t it? One of my favourites so far, I think. Of course – I always think of you when I photograph a tree! x
I absolutely love all those pots filled with geraniums, WOW! The doorways in the old stone walls look like entrances to a secret garden. Beautiful!
That’s exactly how I saw every doorway, and there were so many of them! Beautiful place x
It was, and thank you x
My dream would be to have a walled Victorian garden with cold frames and several large greenhouses … and lots of help to keep on top of the weeds. Ah well – when my numbers come up ….. !
Sounds wonderful!
My best friend lives near Calke Abbey, Monkey and I are staying with her in the school holidays so I think we may visit here one day.
Oh, lovely. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, lots of space to roam about in x
Wow! What a gorgeous place 🙂
I love those blue shelves!
It’s stunning!
That first shot of the door: Wow! It’s beautiful. I love the brick walls as well.
I loved all of the doorways, and they were numerous!
gorgeous photos! what a fabulous day!
Thank you very much 🙂
I need to go here! How beautiful and look at that plant theatre. Amazing.
It’s so beautiful – yes, visit!
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We keep saying we must go back to Calke Abbey again. I haven’t been there in years and yet it is just down the M1 to us and we are National Trust members. Looking forward to your next post on it.
It’s so beautiful there and loads to explore. Go back!