There are so many popular must-watch British TV series available on Netflix, Amazon Prime or other streaming services around the world. From period dramas, crime thrillers to comedy shows the choices of what to watch are comprehensive. Starring famous British actors including Suranne Jones, Sarah Lancashire, Jenny Agutter, Olivia Colman, John Simm, Vicky McClure and more we have chosen the best that British TV has to offer.
In this article, you will find information about 28 of the best TV series which also showcase parts of the UK countryside, sights or attractions.
You will also find information about where each of these binge-worthy British TV shows were made as well as links to any related tours. All of these British shows are available on Netflix and/or Amazon Prime.
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Happy viewing!
British TV series filmed in England
Downton Abbey
About – One of the most popular of British TV shows this historical period drama follows the trials and tribulations of the Grantham family (an aristocratic family) at their grand estate Downton Abbey in Yorkshire.
The series also follows the lives of their servants below stairs and is a reflection of the British class system in the first half of the 19th century.
Period – Set between 1912 and 1926.
Number of series – 6 series (52 episodes) and one film
Filmed – Although set in Yorkshire the series was filmed at Highclere Castle in Hampshire and the village of Bampton in Oxfordshire.
💻 Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
📍 Inspired to visit Yorkshire? Discover the top 10 things to do in this beautiful English county
📷 Click here to book a tour to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
Midsomer Murders
About – Murder, mayhem, and mystery in the villages of Midsomer in the British countryside. This British television detective series is based on the books of Caroline Graham about Chief Inspector Barnaby.
Starring John Nettles in the main role until 2011 when he was replaced by Neil Dudgeon this series has been immensely popular since its pilot episode shown in 1997.
Period – Set 1997 to 2020 (so far!)
Number of series – 21 series and 124 episodes
Filmed – Although set in the fictional village and county of Causton the series is filmed across South Oxfordshire.
The market towns of Thame, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford as well as the village of Warborough and small town of Watlington all feature in the series.
Click to watch on Amazon Prime
Click here for a tour of the Midsomer Murder locations
Inspired to visit the Cotswolds? Discover the 10 most beautiful towns and villages in this stunning area of England.
Doc Martin
About – Set in the fictional Cornish village of Portwenn this comedy-drama series stars Martin Clunes as a socially inept Doctor who moves into the village from London.
Period – Set in the present day
Number of series – 6 seasons (70 episodes)
Filmed – The series is filmed in the Cornish village of Port Isaac
Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click here for a Doc Martin tour of Port Isaac
Inspired to visit Cornwall? Read more in my Cornwall Travel Guide
Vanity Fair
About – A British historical period drama about a poverty-stricken girl who tries to move herself up in 1820’s English society. This is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by William Makepeace.
Starring Michael Palin (of Monty Python and Around the World in 80 Days) as William Makepeace, Olivia Cooke as Becky Sharp, Johnny Flynn as William Dobbin plus a multitude of British acting talent this is one period drama not to miss!
Period – Vanity Fair is set in 1820s London
Number of series – 2018/ 1 season / 7 episodes
Filmed – Fitzroy Square London, Syon Park London and Budapest.
Poldark
About – Poldark is British television at its best. This historical period drama is based on the novels by Winston Graham.
The series also follows the life of Ross Poldark following his return to Cornwall after spending 3 years fighting in the army in America. A love triangle, fortunes lost and won and dramatic Cornish scenery make this series a winner.
Period – Set between 1781 and 1801.
Number of series – 5 series (43 episodes)
Filmed – A variety of locations along the north Cornwall coast (and some locations in England) were used for filming including St Agnes Head, Gunwalloe on the Lizard Peninsula and the Botallack Mine near St Just in Penwith.
Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click here for a tour of Poldark’s Cornwall
Agatha Raisin
About – A comedy-drama with Ashley Jensen starring as the retiree who finds murder, mystery and mayhem in and around the picturesque Cotswold village she has made her new home.
Based on the novels of Marion Chesney
Period – Present day
Number of series – 3 series (16 episodes)
Filmed – The Cotswold villages of Stow-in-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, and others appear in the show.
Click to watch on Amazon Prime
Click here for a tour of the Cotswolds or for more information about planning a visit to the Cotswolds read my Cotswolds Travel Guide
Are these TV series inspiring future travel plans to explore Britain?
Do you dream of one day visiting some of the locations featured in Agatha Raisin, Midsomer Murders and Poldark? Or do you want to share your love of everything British with fellow Anglophiles?
Come and join my UK and London travel planning group on Facebook for more inspiration, photos, planning tips and chat all about the UK!
Vera
About – A crime drama based on the novels of Ann Cleeves about Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
Set in Northumberland and starring the wonderfully talented Brenda Blethyn (who does a mean Geordie accent) as the central character of Vera.
An 11th series has been confirmed which is fabulous news for fans of Vera!
Period – Present day
Number of series – 10 series (40 episodes)
Filmed – Showcasing Newcastle upon Tyne and the county of Northumberland in the North East of England.
Click to watch on – Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click for a Vera filming locations tour of Newcastle
Bridgerton
About – This popular romantic period is set during Regency England and follows the lives of 8 siblings. Series 1 is focussed on the romance between Daphne Bridgerton and the handsome but troubled Simon Basset. The period drama is based on the best-selling book series by Julia Quinn.
Period – Set in Regency England
Number of series – 1 series (8 episodes) Another series is on the way!
Filmed – Castle Howard in Yorkshire, Bath, London Hatfield House.
Call The Midwife
About – A period drama about a group of midwives working in Poplar in the East End of London in the 1950s and 60s.
Based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth the series doesn’t shy away from portraying some of the social issues such as poverty or historical events of the day.
Storylines cover numerous issues including abortion, racial abuse, thalidomide, dementia, and domestic violence.
Period – Set in London in the 1950s and 1960’s
Number of series – 9 series (78 episodes)
Filmed – Although set in the East End of London most of the filming for this British television period drama takes place in Kent and Surrey. The Historical Dockyard at Chatham Kent is used to film the outdoor scenes.
Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click here to book a Call the Midwife tour
Peaky Blinders
About – Period crime drama about a notorious gang in Birmingham, England. The gang is led by the fierce Tommy Shelby, a crime boss set on moving up in the world no matter the cost.
Period – Set in Birmingham in the early 1900s
Number of series – 5 seasons (30 episodes)
Filmed – Various locations in Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Saltaire and Yorkshire.
Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click for a Peaky Blinders tour
The Crown
About – The life and reign of Queen Elizabeth are portrayed in this award-winning historical drama series.
Period – 1940s to modern times
Number of series – 4 series (40 episodes) with a fifth due in late 2022.
Filmed – Locations include Belvoir Castle, Hatfield House, Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich and Ely Cathedral amongst others. The series has starred Clare Foy and Olivia Colman in the role of the Queen with Imelda Staunton picking up the role for series 5 and 6.
Watch on Netflix
Click to book The Crown themed walking tour of London
Heartbeat
About – A drama centred around the lives of the police constabulary, medical staff and residents of Ashfordly and Aidensfield in Yorkshire.
The series is based on the “Constable” books by Nicholas Rhea.
Period – Set in the 1960s
Number of series – 18 series (372 episodes)
Filmed – The series was filmed in Goathland in the heart of the North York Moors in Yorkshire.
Watch on Amazon Prime
Click here for a Heartbeat locations tour of Yorkshire
Father Brown
About – A favourite in our household the Father Brown stories is about a modest, compassionate priest who doubles as an effective crime solver in this series. Although a period drama and crime drama it is very much in the mould of Midsommer Murders.
The series is based on the short stories by G.K. Chesterton.
Period – 1950s
Number of series – 8 series (90 episodes)
Filmed – Set in the fictional village of Kembleford the series is filmed in the Cotswolds village of Blockley.
Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click for information about Cotswold tours
Inspector George Gently
About – British crime drama series set in the North East of England in the 1960s. Martin Shaw stars as the Inspector in the series which are based on the books by Alan Hunter.
Period – 1960s
Number of series – 8 series (25 episodes)
Filmed – Another fantastic crime drama series based in the North East George Gently was filmed on location in Durham, Teeside, Newcastle and Northumberland.
Watch on Amazon Prime
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Sherlock
About – I am sure I don’t have to go into too much detail about Sherlock Holmes! This period drama and crime drama is definitely an example of best British TV available.
Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role and Martin Freeman as his sidekick Dr Watson.
Period – Present day
Number of series – 4 series (13 episodes)
Filmed – In London including around 221b Baker Street!
Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Book a Sherlock Holmes walking tour of London
The Last Kingdom
About – Historical fiction. The series is based on the Saxon series of books written by Bernard Cornwell.
Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders when Uhtred of Bebbanburg a Saxon raised by Vikings seeks to claim his birthright.
Period – Anglo-Saxon England (9th and 10th centuries)
Number of series – 4 seasons (36 episodes)
Filmed – Not in the UK! The series was actually shot in Hungary.
Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Broadchurch
About – Serial crime drama set in the fictional seaside town of Broadchurch in Dorset.
Starring Olivia Colman and David Tennant all three series tie together and follow the investigations of police detectives DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller in this psychological drama.
Period – Present day
Number of series – 3 seasons and 24 episodes
Filmed – On the Jurassic Coast in Dorset in the harbour village of West Bay.
Watch on Amazon Prime
The Tudors
About – A history-based drama focussing on the early years of the reign of Henry VIII including all six of his marriages.
Apparently not totally historically accurate but nevertheless a great way to learn something about UK history.
Period – Set between 1509 – 1547
Number of series – 4 series (38 episodes)
Filmed – Although Hampton Court Palace features in the series it was actually filmed mainly in Ireland
Watch on Amazon Prime
Click here for tickets to Hampton Court Palace
The Great British Bake Off
About – This popular British reality TV show (renamed the Great British Baking Show in the USA) sees a number of home bakers compete with each other to be crowned Britain’s best amateur baker. Originally presented by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood while the presenters may have changed the show sticks to its winning formula.
Number of series – 12 series (and over 100 shows)
Filmed – Usually filmed in a large white tent at Welford Park in Berkshire though for 2020 and 2021 the series has been filmed a the Down Hall Hotel in Hatfield Health in Essex.
Inspector Morse and Endeavour
About – Endeavour is a detective drama series and prequel to the popular Morse.
Set in Oxford both series follows the career of police officer Endeavour Morse.
Period – 1960s (Endeavour)
Number of series – Endeavour 7 series (30 episodes) and Morse – 7 series (33 episodes)
Filmed – Oxford
Watch on Amazon Prime
Book a Morse and Endeavour walking tour of Oxford
Grantchester
About – This popular period drama and detective drama is set in the village of Grantchester in Cambridgeshire. The dual detective team of vicar Sidney Chambers (replaced in series 4 by new vicar William Davenport) and Detective Inspector Geordie Keating are based on the short stories by James Runcie.
Period – Set in the 1950s.
Number of series – 5 series (31 episodes)
Filmed – Grantchester does exist and is a small village on the River Cam a few miles south of Cambridge. The series is filmed on location in the village.
Watch on Amazon Prime
Click here for tours of Cambridge
Last Tango in Halifax
About – This comedy-drama series starring Sarah Lancashire, Anne Reid, Nicola Walker and Derek Jacobi (and. a plethora of other best British TV actors followed the lives of a couple in their 70s as they embark on a love affair. The series has won a multitude of awards including the British Academy Award for Best Drama Series.
Period – Present day
Number of series – 5 series (24 episodes)
Filmed – In the English county of Yorkshire.
Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
British TV series set in Wales
Hinterland
About – Originally called Y Gwyll (The Dusk) this Welsh police drama series does feature some passages of Welsh dialogue (the original was shot in Welsh)
Set in Aberystwyth this is crime drama show follows the characters of DCI Tom Mathias and DI Mared Rhys.
Period – Present day
Number of series – 3 series (25 episodes)
Filmed – In Aberystwyth and surrounding areas.
Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click here for tours of North Wales
British TV series set in Scotland
Shetland
About – A Scottish TV crime drama initially based on the novels of Ann Cleeves (who also wrote the Vera Stanhope series) and based as the name suggests on the Scottish archipelago of Shetland.
Main character DI Jimmy Perez is played by Douglas Henshall.
Period – Set in the present day
Number of series – 5 series (26 episodes) 2 more series have been commissioned
Filmed – Although set on the islands of Shetland much of it is filmed near Glasgow. The town of Lerwick on Mainland (the name of the largest Shetland island) and Fair Isle are used as film locations.
Watch on Amazon Prime
Click here to find out about some of the great tours of Scotland from Rabbies
Case Histories
About – Based on the Jackson Brodie series written by Kate Atkinson and set in Edinburgh.
Working as a private investigator we follow Jackson as he tries to unravel 3 separate case histories.
Period – Present day
Number of series – 2 series (9 episodes)
Filmed – Set and filmed in the Scottish capital Edinburgh
Watch on Amazon Prime
Learn more about Edinburgh including recommended itineraries
Rebus
About – Another great Scottish detective show and crime drama this time based on the Rebus novels by Ian Rankin.
John Hannah and Ken Stott have played the detective over the series.
Period – Set in present-day Scotland.
Number of series – 4 seasons (14 episodes)
Filmed – Rebus is set in Edinburgh and locations all over the city appear in the series.
Watch on Amazon Prime
Monarch of the Glen
About – A British drama series set in the Scottish Highlands about the running of a Scottish estate and the life and loves of the somewhat reluctant new laird of the Glenbogle estate Archie MacDonald.
Period – Present day (early 2000 when it was made)
Number of series – 7 series (64 episodes)
Filmed – The series was shot on location in Badenoch in the Scottish Highlands. Ardverikie House in Kinloch Laggan was used as the fictional Glenbogle Estate.
Watch on – Amazon Prime or purchase on Video
Hamish Macbeth
About – Another older series (this one is from the 1990s) set in Scotland.
The series (a comedy/mystery drama) about local police officer Hamish Macbeth is set in the (fictional) town of Lochdubh on the west coast of Scotland.
The television series is based on the novels by M C Beaton (who also wrote the Agatha Raisin novels).
Period – Set in the 1990s
Number of series – 3 series (20 episodes)
Filmed – Filmed on location in the village of Plockton and areas around the Kyle of Lochalsh
Watch on Amazon Prime
Click for tours of the Highlands of Scotland with Rabbies
Outlander
About – A historical romantic drama series based on the novels of Diana Gabaldon.
The main character in the book series and TV show is Claire Fraser who we first meet on holiday with her husband in Scotland. Recovering from the brutality of WW2 with the help of some mysterious standing stones she travels through time to 18th century Scotland.
Period – Set between the second half of the 20th century and Scotland in the 1700s.
Number of series – 5 series (67 episodes)
Filmed – Numerous locations around Scotland feature in the series including castles, villages and Highland landscapes.
Watch on Amazon Prime
There are many Outlander Tours available leaving from various cities – click here for a full-day tour from Edinburgh
Which is your favourite British TV series?
Did your favourite British TV series appear in this selection? If not why not pop over to my UK and London Travel Planning Group on Facebook and let me know!
Also you may have found some new series to watch too and ideas for your travels in the UK (so many great themed tours to choose from!)
If you are looking for a gift for someone who loves England our gift guide for Anglophiles is the perfect place to look!
If you enjoy foreign language films and TV shows (subtitled or dubbed) you may enjoy my selection of French TV series to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime or my selection of the best French films. Also check out my choice of Australian movies and TV series, Italian TV series, Danish TV series and South African movies too!
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Join my UK and London travel planning group on Facebook for more tips, inspiration and help from other travellers planning future travel to London and the UK.