The BBC period drama has just been added to another free streaming service after being removed from iPlayer.20:41, 27 May 2026A BBC period drama hailed as the “best ever made” is now free to watch on another UK streaming platform.‌Lark Rise to Candleford first aired in 2008, and is now available to watch on U.‌The period drama is adapted from Flora Thompson’s trilogy of semi-autobiographical novels about life in the English countryside, which was published between 1939 and 1943.‌Set in the small Oxfordshire village of Lark Rise and the neighbouring town of Candleford, it follows the daily lives of those who work there through the eyes of a young girl, Laura Timms.Played by Olivia Hallinan her character leaves Lark Rise to start a new life in Candleford.‌The BBC synopsis teased: “Set in the small hamlet of Lark Rise and the wealthier neighbouring market town, Candleford, at the end of the 19th Century, the series chronicles the daily lives of farm workers, craftsmen and gentry, observing characters in loving, boisterous and competing communities of families, rivals, friends and neighbours.“This world is seen through the eyes of a teenage girl, Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan – Sugar Rush, Torchwood), as she leaves Lark Rise to start a new life under the wing of her cousin, the independent and effervescent Dorcas Lane (Julia Sawalha – Hornblower, Pride And Prejudice), who is Post Mistress at the local Post Office in Candleford.“Through them, viewers experience the force of friendship as they see each other through the best and worst of times. Lark Rise To Candleford is warm, funny, poignant, occasionally tragic but overall a celebration of the spirit of community.”‌The cast also included Ben Miles, Claudia Blakley, Brendan Coyle, Dawn French, John Dagleish and Victoria Hamilton.Fans hailed the series, with one saying: “When Downton Abbey first aired, I really hoped it would be as brilliant as Lark Rise to Candleford. Of course it was, but I still think it lacks something the latter has.”‌Another called it “my fave drama ever”, while someone else said: “After Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and this winter’s Cranford, I thought the BBC couldn’t do any better and that it had reached its peak. Boy was I wrong.”Another described the series as “flawless” while someone else hailed it a “gem to watch”.‌Yet another fan said it was “the best show of all time”, as one person said: “It is one of the best written and performed period dramas which lifts the soul and warms the heart.”Speaking about the series before it first aired, Pride and Prejudice star Julia shared: “I hope audiences get a sense of contentment from the series. It's easy on the ear and on the eye."They can sit down with a box of chocolates and a cup of tea and be utterly entertained and contented afterwards. I think it's one of those things you'll look forward to the next week. The sense of community is very important and I love the manners, that's what I really love about doing costume dramas."Article continues belowLark Rise to Candleford is now available to watch on U