Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey

A country house of the 16th and 17th centuries, extensively remodelled in 1702–4 possibly by William Johnson of Nottingham. A portico was added to the south elevation in 1806–8 by William Wilkins Senior, at which time the staircase added in 1728–9 by James Gibbs was removed. Further alterations were made in 1841–2 by Henry Stevens.

The building is constructed of rubblestone, brick, render and sandstone ashlar from Pistern Hill quarry. The roofs are hidden behind balustraded parapets. A moulded plinth, second floor band and richly moulded cornice run across the façades. The basement and two principal storeys sit on a basically rectangular plan of early 18th-century date with pavilions projecting at the angles, built around the courtyard of the earlier house and incorporating parts of that structure, which accounts for certain irregularities in the plan.

The south elevation displays a 3-7-3 bay arrangement. At its centre stands a three-bay pedimented Ionic portico over a basement with coupled pilasters, added by Wilkins. The basement forms a porch arcade to the present main entrance with a half-glazed door. This is flanked on each side by three glazing bar sashes in stepped keyed and moulded architraves. Above, a central doorway, now a window, features a sumptuous moulded architrave with a broken segmental pediment on lavish consoles. It is flanked on each side by three glazing bar sashes in stepped keyed and moulded architraves, with seven similar windows above. The projecting three-bay pavilions at either end feature three tiers of similar fenestration, flanked by giant fluted pilasters on tall bases and with a rare form of composite capitals based on a plate in Philibert de l'Orme's treatise on architecture published in the 17th century. The capitals are set well below the cornice, with the orders repeated on the return elevations.

The east elevation is of 2-10-2 bays. The paired end bays continue the theme of the pavilions with giant orders repeated on the returns. The ten bays between have a full-length balcony on banded columns, added by Wilkins. A former doorway with stepped keyed and moulded architrave is flanked by glazing bar sashes in moulded architraves. Ten glazing bar sashes above appear in moulded architraves, the centre pair more elaborate, with ten similar windows above again.

The west elevation is of 3-7-3 bays, with the centre deeply recessed and three-bay returns. The projecting three bays repeat the pavilion theme of the south elevation. The centre part is rendered and fenestration is grouped 2-3-2, with glazing bar sashes in moulded architraves. A central doorcase features a variant version of a Gibbs surround with volutes embracing the window above. The north return displays an oddly recessed bay suggesting remodelling of an earlier house.

The north elevation is of 3-8-3 bays and two storeys owing to the rise in ground level, with glazing bar sashes in stepped keyed surrounds. Angle quoins mark the three-bay projections. Various later service buildings are attached, including an early 19th-century single-storey block with tripartite windows.

The internal courtyard has a three-bay round-arched arcade of early 17th-century character with various evidence of disturbed masonry. The fenestration is mostly glazing bar sashes in plain raised surrounds. Lead downpipes with moulded brackets and hopper heads run down the façades.

Interior

The low entrance hall contains two iron columns. The principal staircase to the north-east climbs the full height of the house, with two balusters per tread, each standing on a carved miniature urn. The treads are carved and the dado richly panelled. The lobby and landings have round-arched doors and wooden Corinthian pilasters.

The saloon fills the upper two storeys of the centre part of the south range, originally the hall. At each end is a fireplace flanked by coupled Corinthian pilasters carrying an enormous broken segmental pediment without bedmould. Panelling appears in two tiers with Corinthian pilasters to the lower part and a heavily coffered ceiling. The saloon was remodelled by Stevens.

The dining room in the south-west pavilion was remodelled in 1793–4 by Wilkins and features Ionic columns to a buffet recess and delicate plasterwork. The drawing room in the south-east pavilion was also remodelled by Wilkins, as was the library to the north.

One bedroom contains earlier evidence, with staggered panelling and a sumptuous late 16th-century carved chimneypiece.

Historical Context

The house stands on the site of an Augustinian Priory founded around 1131. It came into the possession of Sir Henry Harpur in 1621 and remained in the Harpur and Harpur-Crewe family until 1985.