19 May 2010

Calke Abbey

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I keep a list of places that I must visit: that list just got longer! I'm adding Calke Abbey. I know I'm probably the last one on the boat for this one, but I've just discovered it through Teen Angster who was reposting it from Hello Mr. Fox (it's a-going viral, y'all!). It's just so, so perfect I couldn't resist adding to my blog as well.

Calke Abbey is near Ticknall, Derbyshire, England (those names always sound so romantic to my American ears). It was built between 1701 and 1704 by Sir John Harpur, the 4th baronet of his family. I'm not even sure what that means! The estate was passed down through the family, all the while suffering from neglect and various stages of abandonment. When the house was handed over to the National Trust in the 1980s, the estate had remained untouched since the 1880s! Rather than begin restoration, the Trust preserved the remains as an example of a country house in decay, halting the deterioration but not reversing it.

I imagine this is sort of like what Grey Gardens would have been like if someone had stepped in and preserved it before it went into total disrepair and ruin. Only on a MUCH grander scale.

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23 comments:

Carys said...

WOW!!! SUCH beautiful pictures, I want to live there!!!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

Anonymous said...

This is so amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Tess, That'll Do said...

Oh yes I remember Hannah's posting of this place. It's what dreams are made of! I hope to go someday.

BaronessVonVintage said...

Oh, my! Heavenly!

Unknown said...

i think MY list of travel destinations just got longer!
thanks for sharing, i can always use a good reason to jump over to england, the joys of living in europe is that these treasures aren't so far as they used to be

kfar.blogspot.com

Hannah said...

I was so confused when I saw this on my google reader! Glad you like them :)

Helen said...

oh wow all of those butterflies. i am always fascinated by them, i have 2 pinned butterflies in a frame.

FidgetFinds said...

Wowza! What a great step back in time!

Rosie said...

I saw these on her blog a few months ago and fell in love. It looks like a fabulous and haunting place. I want to live there!

Samantha said...

This sounds amazing!! I will try and visit it this summer :)
P.S. A Baronet is a British nobleman, but quite a low ranking one, so they just own a lot of land and get given a beautiful house! I think the title was generally passed down in the family too.

Karin said...

That's amazing! I have to visit it this summer when I'm in England. Now I really really want to go there. What other beautiful places are on your list?

reckless daughter said...

cool! I've been to several well-preserved country estates in England but this look awesome.

Dulcie said...

It's wonderful! You know, if you ever come to England you'll discover that the National Trust has a whole bevy of these beauties in its ownership. Worth considering a visit..? :P xx

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Ollie Otson said...

My gosh! This place looks amazing. I want to one day just go to England and never come back and live in the countryside. To dream.

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Les Ringardes said...

I love your pictures and your blog !

Nickie Frye said...

I saw a documentary on this place a while ago. Amazing!!!!! I think it was on PBS.

emma-joy said...

I went here a long while back.
It's so strange and so beautiful.

Carie said...

Beautiful, very ecclectic, Count me in....

Anonymous said...

This is why I try to check in once a week. Always something great to look at and ponder. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos.

IL GATTO SELVATICO said...

oooo...taxidermy