The National Trust has confirmed that Calke Abbey, the ‘unstately home’ near Ticknall, was used as a filming location for the eighth season of the hit 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.

Outlander production at Calke Abbey. Credit: David Bloomer/©Starz!/courtesy Everett Collection

placeholder image — Outlander production at Calke Abbey. Credit: David Bloomer/©Starz!/courtesy Everett Collection

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.”