Calke Abbey — A Fascinating Un-stately Manor - Beyond Downton Abbey: A Guide to 25 Great Houses - page 75

The Saloon of Calke Abbey served as the family museum. It holds the Harper Crewe
collection of oddities from around the world. While inventorying Calke's treasures and
Victorian clutter, National Trust curators discovered an exquisite 18 th century State Bed
with Chinese embroidered silk hangings, packed in its original crate. The bed was a wed-
ding gift from the royal family to the owners of Calke Abbey in 1734. In near mint condi-
tion, the State Bed is now on display.
The Caricature Room walls are covered with dozens of satirical cartoons cut out from
magazines in the late 18 th century. It's all part of the eccentricity that is Calke Abbey.
Site specific
Calke Abbey is located in Ticknall, Derbyshire, about 25 miles southwest of Nottingham.
Owned/operated by the National Trust
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey