In her memoir, "Wait For Me!" Deborah Mitford, 11th Duchess of Devonshire, gives a detailed account of going to a dinner at Calke Abbey in either the 1950's or 1960's, on an extremely foggy night. The house was entirely lit by candle light. She describes one of the Harpur-Crewe ladies taking her upstairs to visit a bedridden woman described as the Kaiser's nanny. She also describes a bed given as a wedding present to an ancestor of the present (at that time) inhabitants of Calke. Only, no one had ever unpacked the bed and assembled it. It was still in the 200 year old 18th century packing crates. I wonder if that bed has ever been uncrated and assembled? The duchess also wrote about seeing scores of taxidermied animals in glass cases. This video shows perfectly the strangeness of the place she describes.

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Very interesting - thank you - The place was filled with taxidermied animals in glass cases

Excellent Video Don, and it’s nice to hear the music beats align with scene transitions, made it all the more enjoyable❤

@donfranktv

Ай бұрын

Thanks Dave - appreciate the comment, glad you enjoyed this one 🙂

What a wonderful house. The house also possesses a very fine chamber organ. And a harpsichord. Incredible place. Great video. Love from Hampshire x

@donfranktv

2 ай бұрын

Its an amazing place to explore - so much to see - thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed 🙂

Wow! I visited Calke Abbey many years ago, and watching this video reminds me this experience. 😃

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed! Its a fantastic place 🙂

I love Calke... it is such an atmospheric house! Henry had hoped that The NT would restore the house when it was signed over and was incredibly disappointed when they decided AFTER taking possession to maintain it in its state of decay ... Great video 😊

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Hi Neil & Ant, I did notice loads of it was in need of restoration, its a shame as its such a wonderful place. I enjoyed going into the many rooms, lots to explore. I really enjoyed your video on it to, inspired me to go. Thanks for watching 🙂

@chrisisjustme7546

3 ай бұрын

@donfranktv Don you must go back in summer and see the garden in full bloom it is SO beautiful with an amazing dahlia border...

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

@@chrisisjustme7546 Nice - def going back in the summer - theres a few i've been to over the winter i need to go back to for the gardens this summer

beautiful

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Tim, its appreciated - its an amazing place - well worth a visit

@timothylaws4549

3 ай бұрын

@@donfranktv You're welcome • I would love to visit.

Hi Don we really enjoyed this you have done a great job. We loved the shot at 1:03. The music supports the video so well giving it a great atmosphere. It is a fascinating place such contrasts from that wonderful silk bed to all the odds and ends. A big 👍 from us. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Best wishes Dave and Dawn ❤️

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Hi Dave and Dawn - thank you so much! Yes i had a great time walking around - a lot to explore and as we were saying at the time, so many rooms open compared to other National Trust buildings. Look forward to your video too. Have a great weekend - Don ❤

Beautiful!

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Thank you - you must go and see it if you haven't already 🙂

@staffanlindstrom576

3 ай бұрын

@@donfranktv I certainly would like to.

Home of the Harpur-Crewe baronets. Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe the last baronet died in 1924 and the estate passed to descendants of Sir Vauncey's youngest daughter Frances, and in 1985 to the National Trust. In Batman’s 1880 “Great Landowners of Great Britain”the family owned 23,094 acres worth 35,888 guineas a year.

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Great information! Really enjoyed Calke Abbey - lots to explore

@notnek202

3 ай бұрын

@@donfranktvgreat video

Nice video

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Thank you very much 🙂

What is the music?

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Chain Reaction - Whvle

@notnek202

3 ай бұрын

@@donfranktvthanks

Check out Wentworth Woodhouse.

@donfranktv

3 ай бұрын

Been to Wentworth - amazing place - theres a short video on the channel - going back in the summer to capture the gardens too

@notnek202

3 ай бұрын

@@donfranktvdumb me. I did see that video and even left a comment. Sorry

🤷‍♂️ I don’t get it. Of course, I am American and we like everything new-and-shiny, but why keep the place in an eternal state of decay? What is served by this practice? Think of all those hundreds of fine artisans and craftsmen who could be put to use in the restoration!