That’s how its owners, the National Trust, describe Calke Abbey. Here, they talk of preservation not restoration – to provide a reminder of the state many such houses were in, at the end of their existence, with their last residents living in just a tiny proportion of the house. Preservation of the last lived-in parts of Calke means displaying the amazing collection of stuffed birds and other creatures; the disused parts are shown complete with their stored clutter.
There’s far too much here to take in on a single visit – we were beginning to suffer from overload when we left the walled gardens and headed for home. We’ll have to come again.
geoffspages.blog 
Think I’d heard the name only and just thought it was another ecclesiastical ruin like Buildwas or Haughmond Abbey. Surprised to see it is actually a ‘Downton’. Good mix of atmospheric photographs to give a flavour of it’s character.