Image: Calke Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 1428133

Description: Calke Abbey Built in 1702-4 by an unknown architect for Sir John Harpur. Baroque design with corner pavilions, with a front elevation of dressed stone. Elizabethan building practice determined that the main entrance faces south, despite the limited space before the ground rises steeply up to the walled garden on the right. In 1729, a new flight of stone steps was built up to the main door (on the first floor) by Francis Smith to a design by James Gibbs. The large Greek Revival portico was added in 1806-8 by Sir Henry Harpur to a William Wilkins design. The estate belonged to the Harpur family from 1622 to 1985. They were baronets from 1626, and the last (Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe) died in 1924. The sudden death of Charles Harpur-Crewe (born 1917) in 1981 led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and the estate had to be sold by his brother Henry (born 1921). Little restoration has been done and interiors have remained untouched since the 1880s. The National Trust has owned the property since 1985 and has effectively presented it as an illustration of the English country house in decline, effectively leaving it as found to a large extent. The family were avid collectors and every room is absolutely full of artefacts. An amazing place to look around and a tight squeeze in places to avoid bumping into things! http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/calke.php
Title: Calke Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 1428133
Credit: From geograph.org.uk
Author: Trevor Rickard
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