45 Must-Watch British TV Series (& where they are set)
Planning your next British binge-watch? Whether you’re into crime thrillers, historical dramas, or quirky comedies, British television has something for everyone — and many of the shows are filmed in stunning UK locations you can actually visit!
From Yorkshire estates to Cornish coastlines and Scottish highlands, this guide not only helps you choose your next series to watch, but gives you travel inspiration with each one. Let’s dive into some of the best British TV series available to stream — plus where they were filmed and how you can explore them.
I have compiled a list of where you can watch these shows at the end of the article.
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Happy viewing!
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🏰 British Period Dramas
Downton Abbey
About – One of Britain’s most beloved period dramas, Downton Abbey follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic staff through the shifting social tides of the early 20th century. Themes of love, loss, class, and duty are explored with rich costumes and grand scenery.
- Period – Set between 1912 and 1926.
- Number of series – 6 series (52 episodes) and 2 films
- 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 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)
The Crown
About: A lavish historical drama chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Each season explores major political and personal moments in British history, brought to life by stellar performances and iconic filming locations.
- Period: 1940s–early 2000s
- Seasons: 6 (complete)
- Filmed: Locations including Hatfield House, Belvoir Castle, Winchester Cathedral, St Andrews in Scotland and more.
Watch: Netflix
Travel: Book a VIP Ceremony of the Keys tour at the Tower of London
Poldark
About – Set against the windswept Cornish coast, this romantic drama tells the story of Ross Poldark, who returns home from the American Revolutionary War to find his world turned upside down. Sweeping landscapes and dramatic twists abound.
- 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 Amazon Prime
Click here for a tour of Poldark’s Cornwall
Bridgerton
About: A vibrant reimagining of Regency-era London society, Bridgerton delivers romance, scandal, and opulent fashion as it follows the powerful Bridgerton family through their courtship seasons.
- Period: Regency era
- Seasons: 3+
- Filming: Bath, Hatfield House, Castle Howard, Hampton Court Palace
- Watch: Netflix
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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.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+
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 1960s
- Number of series – 13+
- 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 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)
Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click for a Peaky Blinders tour
Foyle’s War
About – This UK TV programme centres on criminal activity during the chaotic World War II period. DCS Christopher Foyle pursues justice at home on the East Sussex coast, while his son does battle as an RAF fighter pilot. After the war ends, Foyle becomes a spy as he takes up a role as a senior intelligence officer.
- Period – Set during and after World War II
- Number of series – 8 series
- Filmed – Hastings on the south coast of England
All Creatures Great and Small
About – This veterinary series is based on author James Herriott’s real-life experiences in the role. Living in the Yorkshire countryside, the young vet featured in the programme works alongside two other vets. Their housekeeper is also a star of the show.
- Period – The series is based on experiences occurring between 1940 and 1992, but is set in the late 1930s.
- Number of series – 5 series
- Filmed – The series is filmed where it was set, in the Yorkshire Dales.
Click to watch on Amazon Prime
Click here to book a tour of All Creatures Great and Small locations in Yorkshire
🎯 Modern Dramas & International Hits
Ted Lasso
About – Sporting comedy-drama series telling the tales of an English soccer team managed by an American football coach. The fictional team is AFC Richmond. Lasso is originally hired to lead the team to failure by a character seeking revenge, but his approach turns up surprising results.
- Period – Set in the present day
- Number of series – 3 series (34 episodes)
- Filmed – The first two series are set in south London and were also filmed in the real-life borough of Richmond. The home of west London club Hayes and Yeading United FC, the SkyEX Community Stadium, was used for scenes featuring the training ground and offices.
For the third series, filming also took place in Amsterdam. Various big-name stadiums in the UK have also been seen on screen throughout the three series.
Killing Eve
About – Series heroine Eve joins an undercover MI6 unit after being fired from MI5. Her mission is to pursue assassin Villanelle. Violent and near-death experiences then ensue, as Eve and Villanelle work both with and against one another.
- Period – Set in the present day
- Number of series – 4 series (32 episodes)
- Filmed – Killing Eve involved a variety of locations, including London, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Tuscany, Bucharest, and the county of Kent in the UK.
Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
The Diplomat (UK)
About: A sharp, politically charged thriller centring on the British Consul in Barcelona, dealing with international crises and personal betrayals.
- Period: Present day
- Seasons: 1+
- Filming: London, Barcelona
Watch: Netflix
Trigger Point
About: From the producers of Line of Duty, this tense thriller stars Vicky McClure as a bomb disposal expert navigating terror threats in London.
- Period: Present day
- Seasons: 2+
- Filming: London
Watch: Amazon Prime
🔍 British Crime & Mystery Shows
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 in 1997.
- Period – Set 1997 to present
- Number of series – 24+
- 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
Inspired to visit the Cotswolds? Discover the 10 most beautiful towns and villages in this stunning area of England.
Click here for a tour of the Midsomer Murder locations
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 manages to deliver an excellent Geordie accent) as the central character of Vera.
- Period – Present day
- Number of series – 13+
- 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
Rosemary and Thyme
About – Rosemary and Thyme are rather like a grown-up version of the Famous Five. The gardening duo soon get their hands dirty by stumbling upon one mystery after another. Laura Thyme is a former police officer, while Rosemary Boxer has a PhD in plant (rather than human) pathology.
- Period – Set in the present day
- Number of series – 3 series (22 episodes)
- Filmed – Southern English counties including Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire featured in Rosemary and Thyme. A number of gardens across Britain and Europe were also used during filming.
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
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
Inspector Morse and Endeavour
About – Endeavour is a detective drama series and a prequel to the popular Morse.
- Set in Oxford, both series follow 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
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
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
Best tour of the Cotswolds? Book with GoCotswolds (use code UKTRAVPLAN for 5% discount) or for more information about planning a visit to the Cotswolds, read my Cotswolds Travel Guide
Father Brown
About – A favourite in our household the Father Brown stories are 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 Midsomer 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 Amazon Prime
We love tours with GoCotswolds (use code UKTRAVPLAN for a 5% discount)
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 based on Alan Hunter’s books.
- 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 an example of the 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 Amazon Prime
Line of Duty
About – Line of Duty is based around a character who joins an anti-corruption unit within the police force. With his working partner, DC Kate Fleming, DS Steve Arnott uncovers links between seemingly unconnected incidents, and also to organised crime.
- Period – Set in the present day
- Number of series – 6 series (36 episodes)
- Filmed—The fictional Central and East Midlands Constabularies were filmed in Birmingham for the first series. Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, was used as the setting for the following five series.
Click to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Click here to book a tour of Line of Duty locations in Belfast
😂 British Comedies
Only Fools and Horses
About – Only Fools and Horses charts the adventures of a pair of South London brothers, Del Boy and Rodney. Del is the real wheeler-dealer of the two, selling on anything he can come across.
The pair embark on multiple get-rich-quick schemes over the years. This is one of the UK’s best-loved comedy shows.
- Period – Set in the present day, from 1981 to 1991
- Number of series – 7 series (64 episodes)
- Filmed – Del and Rodney’s flat in the fictional Nelson Mandela House, Peckham was originally Harlech Tower in Acton in real life, then later switched to Whitemead House in Bristol.
Click here to book a tour of Only Fools and Horses locations in Bristol
The Vicar of Dibley
About – The Vicar of Dibley is all about a female vicar living and working in an Oxfordshire village. This was after female vicars were permitted in the UK, following a 1992 change in the law.
- Period – Set in the present day, from 1994 to 2007
- Number of series – 3 series (20 episodes)
- Filmed – Filming took place in Turville, near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
Miranda
About – Miranda is a comedy show all about the character of the same name. In her 30s, Miranda repeatedly finds herself in awkward, embarrassing and odd situations. Miranda Hart wrote and starred in the programme.
- Period – Set in the present day, from 2009 to 2015
- Number of series – 3 series (20 episodes)
- Filmed – Filmed live at the BBC TV Centre and London Studios
Absolutely Fabulous
About: Fashion PR executive Edina and her outrageous best friend Patsy drink, shop, and insult their way through life in this irreverent, iconic sitcom that satirised 90s celebrity culture.
- Period: 1992–2004
- Seasons: 5 + specials
- Filming: London, especially Holland Park (and one memorable episode in Morocco)
Watch: Amazon Prime
📺 Reality & Docuseries
The Great British Bakeoff
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.
- Period: 2010–present
- Seasons: 14+
- Filming: Welford Park (Berkshire), Down Hall Hotel (Essex)
Watch: Netflix (US)
🧪 Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Doctor Who
About: One of the longest-running sci-fi series in the world, Doctor Who follows a time-travelling alien known as The Doctor as they battle monsters and travel through time and space in the iconic TARDIS. A cultural institution.
- Period: 1963–1989, rebooted 2005–present
- Seasons: 26 original + 13+ reboot
- Filming: BBC Wales (Cardiff), plus locations across England and Wales
Watch: BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime
Outlander
About: Blending time-travel with romance and Scottish history, this sweeping epic follows Claire Randall, a WWII nurse transported to 18th-century Scotland. Passion, politics, and the Highlands collide.
- Period: 1940s & 1740s
- Seasons: 7+
- Filming: Multiple locations across Scotland, including Doune Castle and Glen Coe
- Watch: Amazon Prime
Travel: Take an Outlander Tour from Edinburgh
🏞️ Regional Favourites: Wales & Scotland
Hinterland (Y Gwyll)
About: Moody, atmospheric, and uniquely bilingual, this Welsh detective series follows DCI Tom Mathias as he solves dark and complicated crimes in and around Aberystwyth. Beautiful yet bleak backdrops enhance the brooding drama.
- Period: Present day
- Seasons: 3
- Filming: Aberystwyth and the surrounding Cambrian Mountains
Watch: Amazon Prime
Rebus
About: Based on Ian Rankin’s gritty novels, Rebus is a Scottish crime series featuring the hard-drinking, sharp-witted detective navigating moral dilemmas and murders on the streets of Edinburgh.
- Period: Present day
- Seasons: 4
- Filming: Edinburgh
Watch: Amazon Prime
Shetland
About: Shetland’s haunting landscapes and close-knit island community provide a unique and powerful setting for this detective drama.
Period: Present day
Seasons: 8+
Filming: Shetland Isles, Glasgow (studio)
Watch: Amazon Prime
Monarch of the Glen
About: Set in the fictional Glenbogle estate, this drama-comedy follows reluctant laird Archie MacDonald as he returns to the Highlands to save his family home. A warm, feel-good favourite filled with Highland charm.
- Period: Early 2000s
- Seasons: 7
- Filming: Badenoch & Strathspey, Ardverikie Estate
Watch: Amazon Prime
Hamish Macbeth
About: A quirky mix of comedy and mystery, this 90s gem stars Robert Carlyle as the laid-back village policeman Hamish, who keeps peace in the fictional Highland village of Lochdubh — often through unconventional means.
Period: 1990s
Seasons: 3
Filming: Plockton, Kyle of Lochalsh
Watch: Amazon Prime
Case Histories
About: Based on Kate Atkinson’s bestselling novels, this drama follows private investigator Jackson Brodie as he uncovers secrets and solves cold cases across Edinburgh’s evocative streets and suburbs.
- Period: Present day
- Seasons: 2
- Filming: Edinburgh
Watch: Amazon Prime
🌊 Regional Favourites: 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 Amazon Prime
Click here for a Doc Martin tour of Port Isaac
❤️ Inspired to visit Cornwall? Read more in my Cornwall Travel Guide
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Last Tango in Halifax
About – This comedy-drama series starring Sarah Lancashire, Anne Reid, Nicola Walker and Derek Jacobi (and many other best British TV actors) followed a couple’s lives in their 70s as they embark on a love affair.
The series has won many 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
Happy Valley
About – Happy Valley centres on police sergeant Catherine Cawood, a divorced and bereaved mother whose daughter committed suicide. This British crime drama is set in West Yorkshire, and the main character also has to contend with the man who raped her daughter, resulting in her raising her grandson.
- Period – Set in the present day
- Number of series – 3 series (18 episodes)
- Filmed – Filming took place in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire, where the show is set
Click to watch on Amazon Prime
🇬🇷 Greece
My Family and Other Animals
About – Based on writer and naturalist Gerald Durrell’s autobiography, My Family and Other Animals is set in the 1930s. During that time, Durrell lived on the Greek island of Corfu with his mother and siblings.
- Period – Set during the 1930s
- Number of series – 1 series (10 episodes)
- Filmed – Much of My Family and Other Animals was filmed on location in Corfu, Greece.
Click to watch on Amazon Prime
Which is your favourite British TV series?
Did your favourite British TV series appear in this selection? If not, why not join my UK and London Travel Planning Group on Facebook and let me know?
You may also have found some new series to watch and ideas for your travels in the UK (there are so many great themed tours to choose from!).
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!
Also, remember to sign up for Amazon Prime, where you can watch thousands of movies and TV shows (including many mentioned in this article) anytime. Start the free trial now!
Where to watch these shows in the US
📺 Where to Watch British TV Shows in the USA
| TV Show | Streaming Platform (US) |
|---|---|
| Absolutely Fabulous | Amazon Prime |
| Agatha Raisin | Amazon Prime |
| All Creatures Great and Small | Amazon Prime |
| Bridgerton | Netflix |
| Broadchurch | Amazon Prime |
| Call the Midwife | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Case Histories | Amazon Prime |
| Doc Martin | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Doctor Who | Amazon Prime |
| Downton Abbey | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Father Brown | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Fleabag | Amazon Prime |
| Foyle’s War | Amazon Prime |
| Grantchester | Amazon Prime |
| Hamish Macbeth | Amazon Prime |
| Happy Valley | Amazon Prime |
| Heartbeat | Amazon Prime |
| Hinterland | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Inspector George Gently | Amazon Prime |
| Inspector Morse & Endeavour | Amazon Prime |
| Killing Eve | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Last Tango in Halifax | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Line of Duty | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Miranda | Amazon Prime |
| Midsomer Murders | Amazon Prime |
| Monarch of the Glen | Amazon Prime |
| Only Fools and Horses | Amazon Prime |
| Outlander | Amazon Prime |
| Peaky Blinders | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Poldark | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Rebus | Amazon Prime |
| Rosemary and Thyme | Amazon Prime |
| Shetland | Amazon Prime |
| Sherlock | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
| Ted Lasso | Apple TV+ |
| The Crown | Netflix |
| The Diplomat (UK) | Netflix |
| The Great British Bake Off | Netflix (US) |
| The Responder | Amazon Prime (via BritBox) |
| The Vicar of Dibley | Amazon Prime |
| Trigger Point | Amazon Prime (with BritBox or PBS Masterpiece add-on) |
| Vanity Fair | Netflix |
| Vera | Netflix, Amazon Prime |
Note: Streaming availability may change. Check individual platforms for the latest access in your region.
