We all love cosy period dramas, but with so many readily available to stream - it can be tricky chosing the best of a good bunch.15:04, 04 Jun 2026Call the Midwife wraps up in emotional finale In need of a charming binge-watch set in a bygone era? Look no further.‌Call the Midwife series 15 wrapped earlier this year with an emotional finale and is due to return with an exciting prequel series titled Sisters in Arms, which is set during the London Blitz. There will also be a movie adaptation of the BBC period drama before the show returns with season 16.‌In the meantime, there are plenty of other brilliant historical shows to binge-watch, and some are even free to stream.‌You’re probably already familiar with the fan favourites, including Downton Abbey and Channel 5's rags-to-riches tale of The Hardacres, which is currently airing its second season, but here are five brilliant and cosy shows to enjoy.Lark Rise to CandlefordDubbed "the best ever made", the show debuted in 2008 and draws from Flora Thompson's trilogy of semi-autobiographical works chronicling English rural life, originally published between 1939 and 1943.‌Taking place in the modest Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise and the adjacent market town of Candleford, it charts the everyday experiences of local workers through the perspective of a young girl, Laura Timms, portrayed by Olivia Hallinan.Laura departs Lark Rise to begin afresh in Candleford, 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.The ensemble also featured Ben Miles, Claudia Blakley, Brendan Coyle, Dawn French, John Dagleish and Victoria Hamilton.‌One fan has called the show "my fave drama ever", while another confessed: "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."Lark Rise to Candleford is available to watch on U‌All Creatures Great and SmallWanting to watch a medical drama with a difference? All Creatures Great and Small is a heartwarming drama based on the real-life books of veterinary surgeon James Herriot.Set in the Yorkshire Dales between the 1930s and 1940s, the plot follows a young, newly qualified vet who moves from Glasgow to work for an eccentric boss. He is also tasked with navigating the tough-to-please local farmers and their animals needing attention.The show first aired on Channel 5 in 2020, and stars Nicholas Ralph as the loveable James Herriot, who is full of compassion in every aspect of his life, combined with charm and humour.‌Samuel West plays his boss, Siegfried Farnon, and is joined by his younger brother, Tristan Farnon, played by Callum Woodhouse, along with Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall, Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson, and Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey."I love the books, and this is as close to a perfect adaptation as you could get", one person said about the show on Rotten Tomatoes."All Creatures Great and Small couldn't offer more warmth and neighbourliness if it were a steaming pot of tea next to a plate of shortbread biscuits", added another.‌Filming for new episodes of All Creatures Great and Small is currently underway; seasons one to six are available to stream for free on 5.Jane EyreFirst aired in 2006, this adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel of the same name follows the life of its eponymous character as she becomes an orphan and struggles to create a better future.‌Spanning four episodes, the series transports audiences on a stunning journey through this enduring story, with Ruth Wilson in the lead role opposite Toby Stephens as Edward Rochester.The pair slowly develop feelings for each other despite his strange behaviour and the mysterious sounds she detects reverberating throughout the house.Viewers consistently lavish praise upon Wilson's interpretation of Jane Eyre, a performance that secured her a BAFTA nomination. One audience member visited IMDB to share their appreciation in an enthusiastic review.‌It said: "A wonderful adaptation of this classic. The casting is excellent; Ruth makes a delightful and intriguing Jane, and Toby Stephens is an utterly fantastic Rochester."This is a compelling series; each episode leaves you anxious to see the next. The set designers and costume designers have excelled themselves, and the lighting in particular is superb."Ruth Wilson's acclaimed performance as Jane Eyre is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.‌The DurrellsThe Durrells, which initially broadcast on ITV in 2016, is based on the best-selling book trilogy by author Gerald Durrell, documenting his childhood on the Greek island of Corfu during the 1930s.Keeley Hawes portrays matriarch Louisa Durrell, who moves her family from Bournemouth to the island of Corfu after experiencing financial difficulties following the premature death of her husband several years previously.‌The Durrells comprise of Louisa's four children, including sons Lawrence (Josh O'Connor), Gerald (Milo Parker), and Leslie (Callum Woodhouse), and her only daughter, Margo (Daisy Waterstone).The Durrells spans four seasons and proved a resounding success with both critics and audiences, picking up a BAFTA and a TV Choice Award for Best Drama Series in 2017. Seasons two and three continue to boast a flawless 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating.Over on IMDb, one viewer described The Durrells as a "Lovely, quirky show", while another remarked: "Heart-warming but in a good way".‌"I see this as a charming, sun-baked, Mediterranean-blue inspired bit of froth. The family is suitably wacky, the scenery is stunning, and the script is full of good fun. Opa!", another enthusiast added.The Durrells is available to stream on Disney+‌Cable GirlsThe five-season series on Netflix comprises more than 40 episodes and follows a modern telecommunications company as it begins operating in Madrid, Spain.Four women discover how their lives are transformed after joining the company, which offers them a decent wage and a degree of independence.Each character her own reason for signing up — for some, it represents an escape from their former lives, while for others, it is their only opportunity to provide for their families.‌Cable Girls charts the blossoming friendship of four women as they navigate the struggles faced by working women in 1920s Spain.The series, filmed in Madrid, has seen numerous locations across the city painstakingly transformed to transport viewers back to the 1920s.Fans flocked to IMDb reviews to share their opinions on the series, with many branding it the "best show ever".Article continues belowOne wrote: "Best show I have ever watched!!! Once you start watching it, you just can't stop. It is honestly the best show I have ever seen come on Netflix."Another commented: "Each of these ladies has a story to tell, and the way their stories are told is thrilling, intriguing and leaves you hoping that the episodes never end."Cable Girls is streaming on Netflix