
I could have / should have written this list earlier in the year, when most Americans I know were curled up in a fetal ball and rather desperate for anything vaguely comforting. But, hey, I was right there with ya, and keeping up with Frock Flicks publishing at all was one of the only things that helped me keep on keepin’ on. And the horrors persist, but so must we, so I’m sharing how I disassociate when the so-called Real World is just too fucking much.
Now, obviously you can just settle in with your favorite frock flick! Endless re-watchings of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice and 1971 Elizabeth R are a given (you may even have favorites that aren’t those, but I find that idea less than comforting). But beyond those delightful worlds as diversions, I enjoy some less plot-driven escapism to while away the hours in a cozy cocoon.
That’s when I turn to British history documentaries. Sorry to all our U.K. readers for fetishizing your home and history, but I’ve always been an anglophile, and at this moment in time, avoiding American-ish stuff is ridiculously appealing for reasons that should be super duper clear. Indulge me!
Most of these I can find on PBS Passport, Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, or maybe AcornTV. Streaming availability changes though, so look them up on JustWatch.
Lucy Worsley Investigates (2022-25)
Yes, we love Lucy Worsley here at Frock Flicks! We saw her speak once and I gave her my card, but alas she’s never called or emailed. I don’t hold it against her though and continue to watch everything she creates. Her latest series investigates topics such as the ‘madness’ of King George (looking at mental health care in the 18th century) to ‘bloody’ Mary (reconsidering Mary Tudor’s reputation for persecuting Protestants). There are 8 one-hour episodes, with plenty of in-depth research and occasional historical recreations.
Tudor Monastery Farm (2013) / Victorian Farm (2009) / Edwardian Farm (2010) / Wartime Farm (2012)
I’m putting these in chronological order of the farms, not by when they came out, because that’s how I’ve watched them and think of them. And I haven’t seen the one that started the idea — Tales from the Green Valley (2005), set in 1620 — because I haven’t come across it on streaming yet. Unlike the old “house” series that I loved (which are impossible to find on streaming now) which put ordinary modern people into historical settings, this “farm” series shows historians recreating historical living. No drama, far less of a challenge, but it makes for good mellow watching.
Walking Tudor England (2021)
Kendra and I want to do our own “Six Wives” tour of England, going to places associated with Henry VIII‘s wives, but in the meantime, Suzannah Lipscomb takes us on tour through the 16th-century‘s Tudor monarchs across England. This 6-part series is kind of like watching Wolf Hall, but mostly the exteriors, and with more traveling between places.
Travels With Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet (2025)
This is a new series that I’ve only seen clips from because I’m not a Christie fan, but this looks like catnip for those types (and I know you’re out there!). The ultimate Poirot actor recreates the author’s 1922 trip from the U.K. as part of a trade mission to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Canada.
Great Canal Journeys (2014-21)
Few things could be more relaxing and comforting than drifting down a canal on a narrowboat with Timothy West and Prunella Scales. The couple shared their vacations from acting through 8 seasons of this show, mostly in Britain but also taking on European rivers and canals, and even a few Asian adventures. Their son Samuel West shows up occasionally, and towards the end, Scales’ dementia and declining health become somewhat noticeable, which is why the series ended. The show is a lovely example of an older couple enjoying their time together while exploring the world.
Bonus: Antiques Roadshow U.K. or U.S.!
I love old stuff, so I love this show, both versions. The U.K. one tends to have older items because people have centuries-old family heirlooms or they randomly find 150-year-old goodies at a charity shop. Plus the U.K. show is often filmed outside of historic buildings, which is interesting in its own right. The U.S. version just started doing that post-Covid, and the earlier episodes are filmed in boring convention halls and similar places. The U.S. shows tend to have newer items including a lot of sports memorabilia and toys yawn, but fancy goods turn up sometimes.
Check our documentary tag for more and share your faves in the comments!
The whole of Tales from the Green valley is on YouTube
Love British Antiques Road Show – for exactly the reasons you point out.
Thanks for the recommendations…. I tend to out shows like this on while sewing.
I love everything Lucy Worsley does! I miss when her documentaries were on Netflix.
I am totally with you! I too curled up in a fetal ball and every day I also see/read/hear horrors….thank goodness for your site to keep me away from the horrible things.
Tales from the Green Valley is on YouTube.
Yes it is……….that’s where I found it and re-watch it
I was obsessed with Regency House Party back in 2004. A British reality TV show where they put a bunch of singles (and older chaperones) in a period house. I really wanted a sequel where they showed what the servants were doing!
I love all these suggestions. Another guilty pleasure of mine is any Joanna Lumley travel documentaries.
Tales from the Green Valley is on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6LJQOAaGj2magtWkqqRQOUKF9SOK-IIt it’s really good, like all the others :)
The Manners of Downton Abbey! Those Secrets of Manor House specials!
What’s kept me sane: Wainwright walks. Walking tours of GB. (do a search for walking tours). Time Team, each episode is a cheerful en masse one weekend archeology show in GB somewhere, new shows on Youtube. The BBC Great British Baking show (after it left BBC it got dour). ALL the Agatha Christie shows. All the Dorothy Sayers and Ngaio Marsh shows. Dalgliesh. Over and over. Oh, Morse. (apparently the theme song includes morse code for Morse, and sometimes the name of the murderer) Totally off topic, but good for the times Korean Revenge Dramas. The Glory, Eve, the Signal and Vincenzo on Netflix. Still hunting for more. (Marry My Husband is on an obscure subscription channel on BBC). I’m old and retired and knit and do art with the tv in the background.
Thanks for putting this list together – love it! How weird is that I was actually listening to Suzannah Lipscomb‘s podcast ‘Not Just the Tudors’ while reading this post??
The Supersizers Go (Elizabethan, Edwardian, 1970s etc) is also great fun.
I hope you know that Lucy Worsley has an audio series on the BBC called Lady Killers and Lady Swindlers, about female criminals through history. There are 42 episodes so far, all really interesting and well done.