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Morning
Start your day with a visit to one of our fabulous farm shops - Scaddows Farm Shop and Pick Your Own near Ticknall or Chantry Farm Foods in Kings Newton, where you will be able to pick up some tasty local treats for a lunchtime picnic at Calke Abbey.
Next stop is the Ferrers Centre for Arts & Crafts at Staunton Harold. A haven for locally made jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glassware and gifts, take the time to see the delicate mechanical fairies and elves or paint your own piece of pottery! A stroll through the grounds will also reveal Staunton Harold Hall built between 1760 and 1778 and the seat of the Shirley family for over 500 years; the Jacobean Chapel of the Holy Trinity now owned by the National Trust and Staunton Harold Nurseries.
Lunch
Leaving Staunton Harold take the road through the village of Ticknall to find the imposing entrance gates to the Calke Abbey estate. Home of the Harpur-Crewe family for over 360 years, the parkland surrounding the Hall is perfect for picnics! There is a 4-mile walk around the parkland and whatever the season, herds of rare Portland sheep, red and fallow deer provide a perfect photo opportunity.
Afternoon
From Calke Abbey follow the signs to Melbourne, an historic town and the former home of the pioneering travel agent Thomas Cook, which in later times gave its name to Melbourne in Australia. Here you will discover Melbourne Hall Craft Centre a collection of small craft units featuring amongst other things hand knotted Persian style rugs, a glass engraver, art gallery and bookshop. Melbourne itself has a thriving centre of mainly independently owned shops set amongst winding streets and thatched cottages. You may need to set aside an additional day to explore Melbourne Hall the former home of two Prime Ministers and its beautiful gardens, the magnificent Norman church and Melbourne pool. A five-mile walk starting from the market place in Melbourne to Breedon on the Hill affords some commanding views over the local countryside.
Complete your afternoon by calling into Ingleby Gallery, a small privately owned art gallery whose aim is to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere with exhibitions by nationally known artists and emerging talent, producing an eclectic mix of oils and water colours, sculpture, jewellry, textiles and other works of art.
Evening
A return to Melbourne will reward you with an excellent choice of restaurants for an evening meal. Whether formal dining, bistro, pub or an oriental meal is your preference, there will be something to tempt your palate and mood. of the local pubs or restaurants, Conkers has an outdoor amphitheatre which hosts a varied programme of entertainment and Rosliston Forestry Centre has recently opened 'The Glade' a new venue for outdoor events. Alternatively Derby's Assembly Rooms and Burton upon Trent's Brewhouse Arts Centre are within a 15 minute drive, as are their multi-screen cinemas. A quick visit or telephone call to the local Tourist Information Centre will help you find out what is on in the area.
