Hidden treasures revealed: Calke Abbey’s remarkable jewellery to feature in new television series

Calke Abbey will feature in the latest series of BBC Arts’ Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, revealing unusual collections and the deeply personal stories hidden behind them. 

The episode explores a remarkable jewellery collection linked to seven generations of the Harpur Crewe family at Calke Abbey. From dazzling 18th-century diamond brooches to deeply personal keepsakes, the objects reveal stories of love, grief, celebration and remembrance across centuries of family history. 

Among the pieces featured are several important diamond pieces dating from around 1750, notable for their size, rarity and exceptional condition. The programme also explores how the Harpur Crewe family’s jewellery reflected wider fashions, travel and global connections. One striking example is an Egyptian Revival necklace designed by Georgiana, Lady Crewe, using agates collected by her son during travels in Nubia in the 19th century. 

Elsewhere in the collection is a gold locket set with turquoise and ruby, created in memory of Henrietta (the daughter of Jane, Lady Crewe) who died at just eight weeks old in 1829. Containing a lock of Henrietta’s hair, the locket became a lasting personal memorial to Jane’s daughter, which visitors can see on display when they visit Calke.

Beyond their beauty, the collection’s significance lies in the stories attached to each piece. Through research, curators have been able to reconnect many of these objects with the people who once owned or wore them, revealing intimate insights into past lives and relationships. 

“These jewels are extraordinary not simply because of their beauty or craftsmanship, but because of the very human stories they hold,” said Rebecca Harvey, Cultural Heritage Curator of the National Trust. “Through letters, diaries and archive research, we’ve been able to reconnect many of these objects with moments of love, loss and family life that still resonate today.” 

The programme also shines a light on Calke Abbey’s internationally significant natural history collection, the largest in the care of the National Trust. Taxidermied birds, mammals, fish and reptiles can still be found throughout the house today, offering a glimpse into the collecting passions of generations of the Harpur Crewe family. In the episode, specialist taxidermist Sarah of Birdhouse Taxidermy works to carefully clean and conserve fragile historic bird specimens, helping preserve them for future generations. 

Outside in the parkland, the programme follows the care of Calke Abbey’s rare breed Portland sheep, one of Britain’s oldest native sheep breeds. Originally introduced to the estate in 1770, the flock now numbers around 100 sheep and continues to be cared for by the ranger team more than 250 years later. 

Visitors to Calke Abbey can explore the historic house and discover more about the stories behind its collections throughout the year, from natural history displays and historic interiors to the landscapes and wildlife that continue to shape the estate today. 

Hidden Treasures of the National Trust episode four will air on BBC Two on Friday 5 June and is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 

4 June 2026