Calke is not presented like other country houses of its day. Paintwork is faded & peeling, vast collections of personal belongings are left as they were found.
When it was last inherited, capital gains taxes were very large & the interest charges were £1300/ day! In 1985 it was sold to the National Trust, who decided to preserve it in a state of decay! Repairs are made to halt decay but no restoration takes place.
We had never been here before, but it’s fascinating & well worth a visit!
It must be fascinating to see - as if the past owners had just moved out! With those taxes it's a wonder that any of these estates are still in family hands..
