The National Trust can confirm that Calke Abbey, the ‘unstately home’ near Ticknall, Derbyshire, was used as a filming location for the eighth season of the hit Starz drama Outlander – becoming one of the very few English historic sites to feature in the globally popular series.
The series follows Claire Randall, a 20th century nurse who is swept back to 18th century Scotland, becoming entwined in war, rebellion, and a powerful love story with Jamie Fraser. Across seven seasons, the drama spans continents and centuries, with the Frasers navigating love and conflict. In the eighth and final season, their story reaches its climax as the American Revolutionary War intensifies and new dangers close in.
Filming took place in September 2024, with the crew on site from July to transform Calke’s historic Stableyards into Savannah-inspired scenes – including a bustling market, military garrison, and a large blue-screen installation for harbour sequences. While Outlander is internationally recognised for its distinctive Scottish landscapes and castles, filming in England is comparatively rare. Calke Abbey’s scale, authenticity and adaptable historic spaces enabled it to convincingly double for an 18th-century setting.
The shoot brought together more than 100 supporting artists, horses, specialist crew and a stunt team, making it one of the most ambitious filming projects ever hosted at the estate. Caroline Taylor, Visitor Operations Manager at Calke Abbey, said: “We were thrilled to welcome the Outlander team. Seeing the Stableyards transformed into such a dynamic setting was remarkable – it brought a real sense of excitement to the estate. While Calke may look very different on screen, it’s exciting to know it forms part of the final chapter of such a well-loved series.”
Calke Abbey, acquired by the National Trust in 1985, is renowned for its preserved, little-restored interiors and historic parkland – qualities that make it appealing to filmmakers seeking authenticity and adaptability. Its selection highlights the estate’s versatility and its growing reputation as a filming location.
To celebrate the release of the latest series of Outlander, from Saturday 14 March visitors will be able to discover more about Calke’s on-screen transformation with new walking routes and interpretation across the estate. This will sit alongside behind-the-scenes stories from the filming of the Netflix film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which was also filmed at Calke in 2024.
The eighth season of Outlander began airing in the US on Starz on 6 March, and is available in the UK on MGM+ from 7 March.
