Calke Park National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Parts of the Calke Park NNR are the remnants of a grazed medieval woodland known as wood pasture, with many trees at least 400 years old, including oak, beech and small-leaved lime. This wood pasture is dominated by more than 200 huge, stag-headed oaks that are some of the largest and most ancient trees in Britain. One, known as ‘The Old Man of Calke’, is thought to be over 1,200 years old. The reserve is also well known for its fungi, over 350 species of beetles and at least eight species of bats. The NNR is the tenth best site in Britain for invertebrates that live on dead and decaying wood. There are also red and fallow deer in the restored deer enclosure. Calke NNR is home to many species of woodland birds including spotted flycatcher, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, tree creeper and nuthatch. Look out for little owls and tawny owls in summer and redwings and jays in winter.

Location

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About the area

The natural features of this central English county range from the modest heights of the Peak District National Park, where Kinder Scout stands at 2,088 ft (636 m), to the depths of its remarkable underground caverns, floodlit to reveal exquisite Blue John stone. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy the High Peak Trail which extends from the Derwent Valley to the limestone plateau near Buxton, and for many, the spectacular scenery is what draws them to the area.

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Calke Park National Nature Reserve

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Calke Park National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Parts of the Calke Park NNR are the remnants of a grazed medieval woodland known as wood pasture, with many trees at least 400 years old, including oak, beech and small-leaved lime. This wood pasture is dominated by more than 200 huge, stag-headed oaks that are some of the largest and most ancient trees in Britain. One, known as ‘The Old Man of Calke’, is thought to be over 1,200 years old. The reserve is also well known for its fungi, over 350 species of beetles and at least eight species of bats. The NNR is the tenth best site in Britain for invertebrates that live on dead and decaying wood. There are also red and fallow deer in the restored deer enclosure. Calke NNR is home to many species of woodland birds including spotted flycatcher, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, tree creeper and nuthatch. Look out for little owls and tawny owls in summer and redwings and jays in winter.

Location

Ticknall

About the area

Area image

The natural features of this central English county range from the modest heights of the Peak District National Park, where Kinder Scout stands at 2,088 ft (636 m), to the depths of its remarkable underground caverns, floodlit to reveal exquisite Blue John stone. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy the High Peak Trail which extends from the Derwent Valley to the limestone plateau near Buxton, and for many, the spectacular scenery is what draws them to the area.

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