Combine Britain’s rich history with the production and storytelling might of the BBC, and you can see that British period dramas are popular worldwide.
And it’s not just the stories of the past that make our TV shows and movies so bingeworthy. The settings, costumes and historical characters keep your eyes glued to the screen.
So, which TV shows and movies give you a glimpse into the UK’s history? Here are our favourites.
Downtown Abbey
Downtown Abbey tells the tale of an aristocratic family and their servants during the early 20th century when the UK’s social makeup underwent radical changes. Besides the storyline, what do we love most about Downtown Abbey? The castle in which it was filmed.
Highclere Castle in North Hampshire is where most exterior scenes of Downtown Abbey were shot. This 19th-century Jacobethan mansion is awe-inspiring, as are the beautifully landscaped gardens within the 5,000-acre estate.
You can see the beautiful Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was born and raised, plus visit some iconic filming locations from the popular BBC TV series ‘Downton Abbey’ on a fantastic tour with Evan Evans.
The Crown
The British Royal Family is probably the world’s most famous monarchy. The Crown, a Netflix hit that’s been running since 2016, is a biographical drama that chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s longest-serving monarch.
The Crown shows you life for the upper classes during the 1950s. And some of its scenes feature our nation’s most regal locations. Ely Cathedral, London’s Lyceum Theatre and Hertfordshire’s extravagant Hatfield House can be seen in all their glory in The Crown.
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders features Cillian Murphy as the head of a crime family in Birmingham. It’s set during the aftermath of WWI when poor economic conditions and corruption led to a high rise in gang activity.
If you want to see England’s second-largest city when it was an industrial, smog-covered powerhouse – and watch one of the most fascinating gangster stories from the UK – we highly recommend Peaky Blinders.
Miss Potter
Let’s leave the Capital and head north to the Lake District, one of the UK’s most beautiful Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. England’s most mountainous region is covered in greenery with sweeping countryside views. And the numerous chocolate-box villages throughout the National Park only add to its charm.
The Lake District was once home to the world-famous author Beatrix Potter. Want to see her Hill Top home and the stunning settings that inspired her novels? What Miss Potter, the hit 2006 biographical movie that details her life.
The Darkest Hour
The Darkest Hour is a 2017 movie about how Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister just after the UK declared war on Germany. His leadership skills have made him a legendary figure, and Gary Oldman perfectly captures his personality.
Most scenes were filmed in Manchester, in the Town Hall and John Rylands Library. Both locations were renovated to replicate the look of the Houses of Parliament. If you’re ever in Manchester, don’t forget to check out other architectural gems such as Manchester Central Library, Manchester Museum and the Cathedral.
