diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.cpp
index 108c4eaa20..28156c97f6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.cpp
@@ -63,4 +63,9 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         return MWWorld::Ptr(cell.insert(ref), &cell);
     }
+
+    bool Static::isStatic() const
+    {
+        return true;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.hpp
index f856e9fd94..d0f4913f0f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/static.hpp
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ namespace MWClass
             static void registerSelf();
 
             std::string getModel(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr) const override;
+
+            bool isStatic() const override;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
index 68cec48bcb..5a9a0be832 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ namespace MWPhysics
             mAnimatedObjects.insert(obj.get());
     }
 
-    void PhysicsSystem::remove(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr)
+    void PhysicsSystem::remove(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, bool keepObject)
     {
         ObjectMap::iterator found = mObjects.find(ptr);
         if (found != mObjects.end())
@@ -479,7 +479,8 @@ namespace MWPhysics
 
             mAnimatedObjects.erase(found->second.get());
 
-            mObjects.erase(found);
+            if (!keepObject)
+                mObjects.erase(found);
         }
 
         ActorMap::iterator foundActor = mActors.find(ptr);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp
index c61b368f8e..715a6cd1a2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ namespace MWPhysics
             Projectile* getProjectile(int projectileId) const;
 
             // Object or Actor
-            void remove (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
+            void remove (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool keepObject = false);
 
             void updateScale (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
             void updateRotation (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, osg::Quat rotate);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellvisitors.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellvisitors.hpp
index e68b383b77..5985d06fb6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellvisitors.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellvisitors.hpp
@@ -18,12 +18,23 @@ namespace MWWorld
             if (ptr.getRefData().getBaseNode())
             {
                 ptr.getRefData().setBaseNode(nullptr);
-                mObjects.push_back (ptr);
             }
+            mObjects.push_back (ptr);
 
             return true;
         }
     };
+
+    struct ListObjectsVisitor
+    {
+        std::vector<MWWorld::Ptr> mObjects;
+
+        bool operator() (MWWorld::Ptr ptr)
+        {
+            mObjects.push_back (ptr);
+            return true;
+        }
+    };
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp
index 39fb6fe4c5..592552d47f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp
@@ -318,6 +318,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 return false;
             }
 
+            virtual bool isStatic() const {
+                return false;
+            }
+
             virtual bool isBipedal(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
             virtual bool canFly(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
             virtual bool canSwim(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
index 313e9a1527..fcf2c4b387 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ namespace
     }
 
     void addObject(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, MWPhysics::PhysicsSystem& physics,
-                   MWRender::RenderingManager& rendering, std::set<ESM::RefNum>& pagedRefs)
+                   MWRender::RenderingManager& rendering, std::set<ESM::RefNum>& pagedRefs, bool onlyPhysics)
     {
         if (ptr.getRefData().getBaseNode() || physics.getActor(ptr))
         {
@@ -113,25 +113,29 @@ namespace
             return;
         }
 
-        bool useAnim = ptr.getClass().useAnim();
         std::string model = getModel(ptr, rendering.getResourceSystem()->getVFS());
-
-        const ESM::RefNum& refnum = ptr.getCellRef().getRefNum();
-        if (!refnum.hasContentFile() || pagedRefs.find(refnum) == pagedRefs.end())
-            ptr.getClass().insertObjectRendering(ptr, model, rendering);
-
         const auto rotation = makeNodeRotation(ptr, RotationOrder::direct);
-        setNodeRotation(ptr, rendering, rotation);
-        ptr.getClass().insertObject (ptr, model, rotation, physics);
+        if (!onlyPhysics)
+        {
+            bool useAnim = ptr.getClass().useAnim();
 
-        if (useAnim)
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->add(ptr);
+            const ESM::RefNum& refnum = ptr.getCellRef().getRefNum();
+            if (!refnum.hasContentFile() || pagedRefs.find(refnum) == pagedRefs.end())
+                ptr.getClass().insertObjectRendering(ptr, model, rendering);
 
-        if (ptr.getClass().isActor())
-            rendering.addWaterRippleEmitter(ptr);
+            setNodeRotation(ptr, rendering, rotation);
 
-        // Restore effect particles
-        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->applyLoopingParticles(ptr);
+            if (useAnim)
+                MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->add(ptr);
+
+            if (ptr.getClass().isActor())
+                rendering.addWaterRippleEmitter(ptr);
+
+            // Restore effect particles
+            MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->applyLoopingParticles(ptr);
+        }
+        if (!physics.getObject(ptr))
+            ptr.getClass().insertObject (ptr, model, rotation, physics);
     }
 
     void addObject(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, const MWPhysics::PhysicsSystem& physics, DetourNavigator::Navigator& navigator)
@@ -202,11 +206,12 @@ namespace
     {
         MWWorld::CellStore& mCell;
         Loading::Listener& mLoadingListener;
+        bool mOnlyStatics;
         bool mTest;
 
         std::vector<MWWorld::Ptr> mToInsert;
 
-        InsertVisitor (MWWorld::CellStore& cell, Loading::Listener& loadingListener, bool test);
+        InsertVisitor (MWWorld::CellStore& cell, Loading::Listener& loadingListener, bool onlyStatics, bool test);
 
         bool operator() (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
 
@@ -214,8 +219,8 @@ namespace
         void insert(AddObject&& addObject);
     };
 
-    InsertVisitor::InsertVisitor (MWWorld::CellStore& cell, Loading::Listener& loadingListener, bool test)
-    : mCell (cell), mLoadingListener (loadingListener), mTest(test)
+    InsertVisitor::InsertVisitor (MWWorld::CellStore& cell, Loading::Listener& loadingListener, bool onlyStatics, bool test)
+    : mCell (cell), mLoadingListener (loadingListener), mOnlyStatics(onlyStatics), mTest(test)
     {}
 
     bool InsertVisitor::operator() (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
@@ -231,7 +236,7 @@ namespace
     {
         for (MWWorld::Ptr& ptr : mToInsert)
         {
-            if (!ptr.getRefData().isDeleted() && ptr.getRefData().isEnabled())
+            if (!ptr.getRefData().isDeleted() && ptr.getRefData().isEnabled() && ((mOnlyStatics && ptr.getClass().isStatic()) || !mOnlyStatics))
             {
                 try
                 {
@@ -264,6 +269,16 @@ namespace
         return std::abs(cellPosition.first) + std::abs(cellPosition.second);
     }
 
+    bool isCellInCollection(int x, int y, MWWorld::Scene::CellStoreCollection& collection)
+    {
+        for (auto *cell : collection)
+        {
+            assert(cell->getCell()->isExterior());
+            if (x == cell->getCell()->getGridX() && y == cell->getCell()->getGridY())
+                return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -315,15 +330,41 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mRendering.update (duration, paused);
     }
 
-    void Scene::unloadCell (CellStoreCollection::iterator iter, bool test)
+    void Scene::unloadInactiveCell (CellStore* cell, bool test)
     {
+        assert(mActiveCells.find(cell) == mActiveCells.end());
+        assert(mInactiveCells.find(cell) != mInactiveCells.end());
         if (!test)
-            Log(Debug::Info) << "Unloading cell " << (*iter)->getCell()->getDescription();
+            Log(Debug::Info) << "Unloading cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+
+        ListObjectsVisitor visitor;
+
+        cell->forEach(visitor);
+        for (const auto& ptr : visitor.mObjects)
+            mPhysics->remove(ptr);
+
+        if (cell->getCell()->isExterior())
+        {
+            const auto cellX = cell->getCell()->getGridX();
+            const auto cellY = cell->getCell()->getGridY();
+            mPhysics->removeHeightField(cellX, cellY);
+        }
+
+        mInactiveCells.erase(cell);
+    }
+
+    void Scene::deactivateCell(CellStore* cell, bool test)
+    {
+        assert(mInactiveCells.find(cell) != mInactiveCells.end());
+        if (mActiveCells.find(cell) == mActiveCells.end())
+            return;
+        if (!test)
+            Log(Debug::Info) << "Deactivate cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
 
         const auto navigator = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getNavigator();
         ListAndResetObjectsVisitor visitor;
 
-        (*iter)->forEach(visitor);
+        cell->forEach(visitor);
         const auto world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
         for (const auto& ptr : visitor.mObjects)
         {
@@ -334,140 +375,157 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 navigator->removeAgent(world->getPathfindingHalfExtents(ptr));
                 mRendering.removeActorPath(ptr);
             }
-            mPhysics->remove(ptr);
+            mPhysics->remove(ptr, ptr.getClass().isStatic());
         }
 
-        const auto cellX = (*iter)->getCell()->getGridX();
-        const auto cellY = (*iter)->getCell()->getGridY();
+        const auto cellX = cell->getCell()->getGridX();
+        const auto cellY = cell->getCell()->getGridY();
 
-        if ((*iter)->getCell()->isExterior())
+        if (cell->getCell()->isExterior())
         {
             if (const auto heightField = mPhysics->getHeightField(cellX, cellY))
                 navigator->removeObject(DetourNavigator::ObjectId(heightField));
-            mPhysics->removeHeightField(cellX, cellY);
         }
 
-        if ((*iter)->getCell()->hasWater())
+        if (cell->getCell()->hasWater())
             navigator->removeWater(osg::Vec2i(cellX, cellY));
 
-        if (const auto pathgrid = world->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*(*iter)->getCell()))
+        if (const auto pathgrid = world->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell->getCell()))
             navigator->removePathgrid(*pathgrid);
 
         const auto player = world->getPlayerPtr();
         navigator->update(player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
 
-        MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->drop (*iter);
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->drop (cell);
 
-        mRendering.removeCell(*iter);
-        MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->removeCell(*iter);
+        mRendering.removeCell(cell);
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->removeCell(cell);
 
-        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getLocalScripts().clearCell (*iter);
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getLocalScripts().clearCell (cell);
 
-        MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->stopSound (*iter);
-        mActiveCells.erase(*iter);
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->stopSound (cell);
+        mActiveCells.erase(cell);
     }
 
-    void Scene::loadCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool respawn, bool test)
+    void Scene::activateCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool respawn, bool test)
     {
-        std::pair<CellStoreCollection::iterator, bool> result = mActiveCells.insert(cell);
+        assert(mActiveCells.find(cell) == mActiveCells.end());
+        assert(mInactiveCells.find(cell) != mInactiveCells.end());
+        mActiveCells.insert(cell);
 
-        if(result.second)
+        if (test)
+            Log(Debug::Info) << "Testing cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+        else
+            Log(Debug::Info) << "Loading cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+
+        const auto world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
+        const auto navigator = world->getNavigator();
+
+        const int cellX = cell->getCell()->getGridX();
+        const int cellY = cell->getCell()->getGridY();
+
+        if (!test && cell->getCell()->isExterior())
         {
-            if (test)
-                Log(Debug::Info) << "Testing cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
-            else
-                Log(Debug::Info) << "Loading cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+            if (const auto heightField = mPhysics->getHeightField(cellX, cellY))
+                navigator->addObject(DetourNavigator::ObjectId(heightField), *heightField->getShape(),
+                        heightField->getCollisionObject()->getWorldTransform());
+        }
 
-            float verts = ESM::Land::LAND_SIZE;
-            float worldsize = ESM::Land::REAL_SIZE;
+        if (const auto pathgrid = world->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell->getCell()))
+            navigator->addPathgrid(*cell->getCell(), *pathgrid);
 
-            const auto world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
-            const auto navigator = world->getNavigator();
+        // register local scripts
+        // do this before insertCell, to make sure we don't add scripts from levelled creature spawning twice
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getLocalScripts().addCell (cell);
 
-            const int cellX = cell->getCell()->getGridX();
-            const int cellY = cell->getCell()->getGridY();
+        if (respawn)
+            cell->respawn();
 
-            // Load terrain physics first...
-            if (!test && cell->getCell()->isExterior())
+        insertCell (*cell, loadingListener, false, test);
+
+        mRendering.addCell(cell);
+        if (!test)
+        {
+            MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->addCell(cell);
+            bool waterEnabled = cell->getCell()->hasWater() || cell->isExterior();
+            float waterLevel = cell->getWaterLevel();
+            mRendering.setWaterEnabled(waterEnabled);
+            if (waterEnabled)
             {
-                osg::ref_ptr<const ESMTerrain::LandObject> land = mRendering.getLandManager()->getLand(cellX, cellY);
-                const ESM::Land::LandData* data = land ? land->getData(ESM::Land::DATA_VHGT) : nullptr;
-                if (data)
+                mPhysics->enableWater(waterLevel);
+                mRendering.setWaterHeight(waterLevel);
+
+                if (cell->getCell()->isExterior())
                 {
-                    mPhysics->addHeightField (data->mHeights, cellX, cellY, worldsize / (verts-1), verts, data->mMinHeight, data->mMaxHeight, land.get());
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    static std::vector<float> defaultHeight;
-                    defaultHeight.resize(verts*verts, ESM::Land::DEFAULT_HEIGHT);
-                    mPhysics->addHeightField (&defaultHeight[0], cell->getCell()->getGridX(), cell->getCell()->getGridY(), worldsize / (verts-1), verts, ESM::Land::DEFAULT_HEIGHT, ESM::Land::DEFAULT_HEIGHT, land.get());
-                }
-
-                if (const auto heightField = mPhysics->getHeightField(cellX, cellY))
-                    navigator->addObject(DetourNavigator::ObjectId(heightField), *heightField->getShape(),
-                            heightField->getCollisionObject()->getWorldTransform());
-            }
-
-            if (const auto pathgrid = world->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell->getCell()))
-                navigator->addPathgrid(*cell->getCell(), *pathgrid);
-
-            // register local scripts
-            // do this before insertCell, to make sure we don't add scripts from levelled creature spawning twice
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getLocalScripts().addCell (cell);
-
-            if (respawn)
-                cell->respawn();
-
-            // ... then references. This is important for adjustPosition to work correctly.
-            insertCell (*cell, loadingListener, test);
-
-            mRendering.addCell(cell);
-            if (!test)
-            {
-                MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->addCell(cell);
-                bool waterEnabled = cell->getCell()->hasWater() || cell->isExterior();
-                float waterLevel = cell->getWaterLevel();
-                mRendering.setWaterEnabled(waterEnabled);
-                if (waterEnabled)
-                {
-                    mPhysics->enableWater(waterLevel);
-                    mRendering.setWaterHeight(waterLevel);
-
-                    if (cell->getCell()->isExterior())
-                    {
-                        if (const auto heightField = mPhysics->getHeightField(cellX, cellY))
-                            navigator->addWater(osg::Vec2i(cellX, cellY), ESM::Land::REAL_SIZE,
+                    if (const auto heightField = mPhysics->getHeightField(cellX, cellY))
+                        navigator->addWater(osg::Vec2i(cellX, cellY), ESM::Land::REAL_SIZE,
                                 cell->getWaterLevel(), heightField->getCollisionObject()->getWorldTransform());
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        navigator->addWater(osg::Vec2i(cellX, cellY), std::numeric_limits<int>::max(),
-                            cell->getWaterLevel(), btTransform::getIdentity());
-                    }
                 }
                 else
-                    mPhysics->disableWater();
-
-                const auto player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr();
-                navigator->update(player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
-
-                if (!cell->isExterior() && !(cell->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx))
                 {
-
-                    mRendering.configureAmbient(cell->getCell());
+                    navigator->addWater(osg::Vec2i(cellX, cellY), std::numeric_limits<int>::max(),
+                            cell->getWaterLevel(), btTransform::getIdentity());
                 }
             }
+            else
+                mPhysics->disableWater();
+
+            const auto player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr();
+            navigator->update(player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
+
+            if (!cell->isExterior() && !(cell->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx))
+                mRendering.configureAmbient(cell->getCell());
         }
 
         mPreloader->notifyLoaded(cell);
     }
 
+    void Scene::loadInactiveCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool test)
+    {
+        assert(mActiveCells.find(cell) == mActiveCells.end());
+        assert(mInactiveCells.find(cell) == mInactiveCells.end());
+        mInactiveCells.insert(cell);
+
+        if (test)
+            Log(Debug::Info) << "Testing inactive cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+        else
+            Log(Debug::Info) << "Loading inactive cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+
+        if (!test && cell->getCell()->isExterior())
+        {
+            float verts = ESM::Land::LAND_SIZE;
+            float worldsize = ESM::Land::REAL_SIZE;
+
+            const int cellX = cell->getCell()->getGridX();
+            const int cellY = cell->getCell()->getGridY();
+
+            osg::ref_ptr<const ESMTerrain::LandObject> land = mRendering.getLandManager()->getLand(cellX, cellY);
+            const ESM::Land::LandData* data = land ? land->getData(ESM::Land::DATA_VHGT) : nullptr;
+            if (data)
+            {
+                mPhysics->addHeightField (data->mHeights, cellX, cellY, worldsize / (verts-1), verts, data->mMinHeight, data->mMaxHeight, land.get());
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                static std::vector<float> defaultHeight;
+                defaultHeight.resize(verts*verts, ESM::Land::DEFAULT_HEIGHT);
+                mPhysics->addHeightField (&defaultHeight[0], cell->getCell()->getGridX(), cell->getCell()->getGridY(), worldsize / (verts-1), verts, ESM::Land::DEFAULT_HEIGHT, ESM::Land::DEFAULT_HEIGHT, land.get());
+            }
+        }
+
+        insertCell (*cell, loadingListener, true, test);
+    }
+
     void Scene::clear()
     {
-        CellStoreCollection::iterator active = mActiveCells.begin();
-        while (active!=mActiveCells.end())
-            unloadCell (active++);
+        for (auto iter = mInactiveCells.begin(); iter!=mInactiveCells.end(); )
+        {
+            auto* cell = *iter++;
+            deactivateCell(cell);
+            unloadInactiveCell (cell);
+        }
         assert(mActiveCells.empty());
+        assert(mInactiveCells.empty());
         mCurrentCell = nullptr;
 
         mPreloader->clear();
@@ -510,20 +568,24 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
     void Scene::changeCellGrid (const osg::Vec3f &pos, int playerCellX, int playerCellY, bool changeEvent)
     {
-        CellStoreCollection::iterator active = mActiveCells.begin();
-        while (active!=mActiveCells.end())
+        for (auto iter = mInactiveCells.begin(); iter != mInactiveCells.end(); )
         {
-            if ((*active)->getCell()->isExterior())
+            auto* cell = *iter++;
+            if (cell->getCell()->isExterior())
             {
-                if (std::abs (playerCellX-(*active)->getCell()->getGridX())<=mHalfGridSize &&
-                    std::abs (playerCellY-(*active)->getCell()->getGridY())<=mHalfGridSize)
-                {
-                    // keep cells within the new grid
-                    ++active;
-                    continue;
-                }
+                const auto dx = std::abs(playerCellX - cell->getCell()->getGridX());
+                const auto dy = std::abs(playerCellY - cell->getCell()->getGridY());
+                if (dx > mHalfGridSize || dy > mHalfGridSize)
+                    deactivateCell(cell);
+
+                if (dx > mHalfGridSize+1 || dy > mHalfGridSize+1)
+                    unloadInactiveCell(cell);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                deactivateCell(cell);
+                unloadInactiveCell(cell);
             }
-            unloadCell (active++);
         }
 
         mCurrentGridCenter = osg::Vec2i(playerCellX, playerCellY);
@@ -535,32 +597,24 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mRendering.getPagedRefnums(newGrid, mPagedRefs);
 
         std::size_t refsToLoad = 0;
-        std::vector<std::pair<int, int>> cellsPositionsToLoad;
-        // get the number of refs to load
-        for (int x = playerCellX - mHalfGridSize; x <= playerCellX + mHalfGridSize; ++x)
+        const auto cellsToLoad = [&playerCellX,&playerCellY,&refsToLoad](CellStoreCollection& collection, int range) -> std::vector<std::pair<int,int>>
         {
-            for (int y = playerCellY - mHalfGridSize; y <= playerCellY + mHalfGridSize; ++y)
+            std::vector<std::pair<int, int>> cellsPositionsToLoad;
+            for (int x = playerCellX - range; x <= playerCellX + range; ++x)
             {
-                CellStoreCollection::iterator iter = mActiveCells.begin();
-
-                while (iter!=mActiveCells.end())
+                for (int y = playerCellY - range; y <= playerCellY + range; ++y)
                 {
-                    assert ((*iter)->getCell()->isExterior());
-
-                    if (x==(*iter)->getCell()->getGridX() &&
-                        y==(*iter)->getCell()->getGridY())
-                        break;
-
-                    ++iter;
-                }
-
-                if (iter==mActiveCells.end())
-                {
-                    refsToLoad += MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getExterior(x, y)->count();
-                    cellsPositionsToLoad.emplace_back(x, y);
+                    if (!isCellInCollection(x, y, collection))
+                    {
+                        refsToLoad += MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getExterior(x, y)->count();
+                        cellsPositionsToLoad.emplace_back(x, y);
+                    }
                 }
             }
-        }
+            return cellsPositionsToLoad;
+        };
+        auto cellsPositionsToLoad = cellsToLoad(mActiveCells,mHalfGridSize);
+        auto cellsPositionsToLoadInactive = cellsToLoad(mInactiveCells,mHalfGridSize+1);
 
         Loading::Listener* loadingListener = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getLoadingScreen();
         Loading::ScopedLoad load(loadingListener);
@@ -584,30 +638,26 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 return getCellPositionPriority(lhs) < getCellPositionPriority(rhs);
             });
 
+        std::sort(cellsPositionsToLoadInactive.begin(), cellsPositionsToLoadInactive.end(),
+            [&] (const std::pair<int, int>& lhs, const std::pair<int, int>& rhs) {
+                return getCellPositionPriority(lhs) < getCellPositionPriority(rhs);
+            });
+
         // Load cells
-        for (const auto& cellPosition : cellsPositionsToLoad)
+        for (const auto& [x,y] : cellsPositionsToLoadInactive)
         {
-            const auto x = cellPosition.first;
-            const auto y = cellPosition.second;
-
-            CellStoreCollection::iterator iter = mActiveCells.begin();
-
-            while (iter != mActiveCells.end())
-            {
-                assert ((*iter)->getCell()->isExterior());
-
-                if (x == (*iter)->getCell()->getGridX() &&
-                    y == (*iter)->getCell()->getGridY())
-                    break;
-
-                ++iter;
-            }
-
-            if (iter == mActiveCells.end())
+            if (!isCellInCollection(x, y, mInactiveCells))
             {
                 CellStore *cell = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getExterior(x, y);
-
-                loadCell (cell, loadingListener, changeEvent);
+                loadInactiveCell (cell, loadingListener);
+            }
+        }
+        for (const auto& [x,y] : cellsPositionsToLoad)
+        {
+            if (!isCellInCollection(x, y, mActiveCells))
+            {
+                CellStore *cell = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getExterior(x, y);
+                activateCell (cell, loadingListener, changeEvent);
             }
         }
 
@@ -640,7 +690,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             CellStoreCollection::iterator iter = mActiveCells.begin();
 
             CellStore *cell = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getExterior(it->mData.mX, it->mData.mY);
-            loadCell (cell, loadingListener, false, true);
+            loadInactiveCell (cell, loadingListener, true);
+            activateCell (cell, loadingListener, false, true);
 
             iter = mActiveCells.begin();
             while (iter != mActiveCells.end())
@@ -648,7 +699,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 if (it->isExterior() && it->mData.mX == (*iter)->getCell()->getGridX() &&
                     it->mData.mY == (*iter)->getCell()->getGridY())
                 {
-                    unloadCell(iter, true);
+                    deactivateCell(*iter, true);
+                    unloadInactiveCell (*iter, true);
                     break;
                 }
 
@@ -686,7 +738,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             loadingListener->setLabel("Testing interior cells ("+std::to_string(i)+"/"+std::to_string(cells.getIntSize())+")...");
 
             CellStore *cell = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getInterior(it->mName);
-            loadCell (cell, loadingListener, false, true);
+            loadInactiveCell (cell, loadingListener, true);
+            activateCell (cell, loadingListener, false, true);
 
             CellStoreCollection::iterator iter = mActiveCells.begin();
             while (iter != mActiveCells.end())
@@ -695,7 +748,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
                 if (it->mName == (*iter)->getCell()->mName)
                 {
-                    unloadCell(iter, true);
+                    deactivateCell(*iter, true);
+                    unloadInactiveCell (*iter, true);
                     break;
                 }
 
@@ -818,15 +872,21 @@ namespace MWWorld
         Log(Debug::Info) << "Changing to interior";
 
         // unload
-        CellStoreCollection::iterator active = mActiveCells.begin();
-        while (active!=mActiveCells.end())
-            unloadCell (active++);
+        for (auto iter = mInactiveCells.begin(); iter!=mInactiveCells.end(); )
+        {
+            auto* cell = *iter++;
+            deactivateCell(cell);
+            unloadInactiveCell(cell);
+        }
+        assert(mActiveCells.empty());
+        assert(mInactiveCells.empty());
 
         loadingListener->setProgressRange(cell->count());
 
         // Load cell.
         mPagedRefs.clear();
-        loadCell (cell, loadingListener, changeEvent);
+        loadInactiveCell (cell, loadingListener);
+        activateCell (cell, loadingListener, changeEvent);
 
         changePlayerCell(cell, position, adjustPlayerPos);
 
@@ -874,23 +934,26 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mCellChanged = false;
     }
 
-    void Scene::insertCell (CellStore &cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool test)
+    void Scene::insertCell (CellStore &cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool onlyStatics, bool test)
     {
-        InsertVisitor insertVisitor (cell, *loadingListener, test);
+        InsertVisitor insertVisitor (cell, *loadingListener, onlyStatics, test);
         cell.forEach (insertVisitor);
-        insertVisitor.insert([&] (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) { addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mRendering, mPagedRefs); });
-        insertVisitor.insert([&] (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) { addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mNavigator); });
+        insertVisitor.insert([&] (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) { addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mRendering, mPagedRefs, onlyStatics); });
+        if (!onlyStatics)
+        {
+            insertVisitor.insert([&] (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) { addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mNavigator); });
 
-        // do adjustPosition (snapping actors to ground) after objects are loaded, so we don't depend on the loading order
-        PositionVisitor posVisitor;
-        cell.forEach (posVisitor);
+            // do adjustPosition (snapping actors to ground) after objects are loaded, so we don't depend on the loading order
+            PositionVisitor posVisitor;
+            cell.forEach (posVisitor);
+        }
     }
 
     void Scene::addObjectToScene (const Ptr& ptr)
     {
         try
         {
-            addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mRendering, mPagedRefs);
+            addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mRendering, mPagedRefs, false);
             addObject(ptr, *mPhysics, mNavigator);
             MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->scaleObject(ptr, ptr.getCellRef().getScale());
             const auto navigator = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getNavigator();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
index a70d3ccdd5..33c7b78d09 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
@@ -65,13 +65,13 @@ namespace MWWorld
     class Scene
     {
         public:
-
-            typedef std::set<CellStore *> CellStoreCollection;
+            using CellStoreCollection = std::set<CellStore *>;
 
         private:
 
             CellStore* mCurrentCell; // the cell the player is in
             CellStoreCollection mActiveCells;
+            CellStoreCollection mInactiveCells;
             bool mCellChanged;
             MWPhysics::PhysicsSystem *mPhysics;
             MWRender::RenderingManager& mRendering;
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             std::set<ESM::RefNum> mPagedRefs;
 
-            void insertCell (CellStore &cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool test = false);
+            void insertCell (CellStore &cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool onlyStatics, bool test = false);
             osg::Vec2i mCurrentGridCenter;
 
             // Load and unload cells as necessary to create a cell grid with "X" and "Y" in the center
@@ -108,6 +108,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
             osg::Vec4i gridCenterToBounds(const osg::Vec2i &centerCell) const;
             osg::Vec2i getNewGridCenter(const osg::Vec3f &pos, const osg::Vec2i *currentGridCenter = nullptr) const;
 
+            void unloadInactiveCell (CellStore* cell, bool test = false);
+            void deactivateCell (CellStore* cell, bool test = false);
+            void activateCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool respawn, bool test = false);
+            void loadInactiveCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool test = false);
+
         public:
 
             Scene (MWRender::RenderingManager& rendering, MWPhysics::PhysicsSystem *physics,
@@ -119,10 +124,6 @@ namespace MWWorld
             void preloadTerrain(const osg::Vec3f& pos, bool sync=false);
             void reloadTerrain();
 
-            void unloadCell (CellStoreCollection::iterator iter, bool test = false);
-
-            void loadCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool respawn, bool test = false);
-
             void playerMoved (const osg::Vec3f& pos);
 
             void changePlayerCell (CellStore* newCell, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos);