Christmas at Calke - market, house, garden and tunnels!

Next stop on the Christmas Lights trail was Calke Abbey.

It was a visit of several parts. First, because of the last entry time, we went round the house - with several decorated trees and mice (fortunately the stuffed toy variety) playing in the kitchen - and through the tunnels which lead back to the wash house in the stableyard. I'm not one for enclosed spaces but with strings of lights and illuminated displays I didn't really notice any difference to walking along a corridor (though the steep steps at the end were a little troublesome) In the wash house a model choir was waiting to welcome us.

As it was still daylight, our next stop was the Christmas market followed by tea and cake from the cafe.

Then as darkness descended we headed up into the gardens following the illuminated trail

It's always magical to find a path of lights leading through woodland, and this was no exception. Projections of wild animals onto trunks led the way deeper among the trees, and eventually to a tunnel of lights which returned towards the hall.

Calke Abbey itself sits in a dip between stableyard and gardens, with a slight hill in either directio and the route through the tunnels seemed the more gradual gradient to return to the exit.

I'm pleased we chose this way as the lights in the courtyard were mush more impressive in the dark. The steps up to the laundry seemed far steeper though!