Forest bathing at Calke Park

Calke Park is the historic parkland around Calke Abbey near Ticknall in south Derbyshire, about 600 acres in all. Part of it is a National Nature Reserve covering the ancient deer park, where the main habitat is wood pasture: old oaks standing in open grass, with lime and beech. One of the best known oaks is the Old Man of Calke. Red deer graze the deer park, and there are secluded ponds tucked into the parkland.

Most visitors head for the house and stableyard, so the parkland is where to go for quiet. A newer woodland walk of about 3 miles leads into Casey's Plantation, where thousands of young trees are growing. Autumn brings colour in the woods and the deer rut. Paths are hard gravel in places with some steep slopes and uneven ground across the park. There is no parking charge, but non-members pay to enter the parkland, whether by car, bike or on foot.