travel programmes bbc iplayer

Kirtey Verma | 27 March 2020

14 of the best travel tv shows to watch on demand.

Epic landscapes, interesting characters and cool cultures – we transport you to the best places in the world right from the comfort of your sofa, with these top travel shows on Netflix, iPlayer and others…

While you may be hitting pause on your adventures, you can still be transported somewhere wild – using your TV remote as your passport to exotic climes, instead.

Chances are you’ve seen everything travel legends David Attenborough and Simon Reeve have done, but if you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip, sweeping landscapes and interesting characters to meet, take a look at our round-up of th e best travel documentaries available to stream right now…

Best of all, you can start this journey on the couch.

Here are the best travel TV shows to watch on Netflix or on demand now...

1. the americas with simon reeve (2019).

What you’ll watch: It topped the list for best TV show at our 2020 Reader Travel Awards, but if you haven’t yet seen  The Americas with Simon Reeve , put it straight on top of your must-watch list.

And when you’ve binged on his journeys hiking through the Rocky Mountains, hanging out with the US Border Patrol in Texas and discovering a tropical paradise in Costa Rica, you can turn to his other documentaries: the Caribbean, Australia, the Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean.

If there’s anywhere this man hasn’t been or seen, we challenge you to find it.

Where to watch it: The Americas with Simon Reeve is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer . Plus see Simon accept his Wanderlust award !

2. Race Across The World (2020)

What you'll watch:  Limited cash, no smartphones and forget about internet access – basically all the ingredients for an epic off-the-grid adventure.

In the latest series of the BBC's  Race Across The World , you can follow five teams as they race the length of Latin America, starting in Mexico City and ending in Ushuaia in Argentina, the most southerly city in the world.

Married couples and familial bonds are put to the test, as they weave friendships in the most unexpected of places on their way to the finish line. And if you can't wait until next week's episode, you can binge on series one as well. What's better than that?

Where to watch it: Catch up on series two of Race Across The World on BBC iPlayer . And read our filming locations guide .

3. Joanna Lumley's Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti (2020)

Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti is on ITV Player now (ITV)

What you'll watch: She's one of our favourite tour guides, taking us everywhere from India to the mighty Silk Road  – it is, of course, the absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley.

Let her lead you into a lesser-seen side of the Caribbean in her new two-part documentary, Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti, which begins in a boxing gym in the lively Cuban capital.

Keep watching as she wanders the streets of Havana, discovers  Hemingway’s favourite beach and explores Fidel Castro’s hometown, before  making her way over the Windward Passage to end her adventure with trips to ancient mountain fortresses and a mystical voodoo ceremony in Haiti.

Where to watch it: Catch up on  Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti  on ITV Player   now. 

4. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (2018)

What to watch:   If delicious food is at the very top of your reasons-to-travel list,  Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat  is the Netflix show to tune into.

Culinary capers abound as loveable chef  Samin Nosrat takes us to Italy, Japan, Mexico and California to show us how the title elements are key to the cuisine of each country.

Where to watch it: See   Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat  on Netflix now. 

5. Ugly Delicious (2020)

What to watch: H ungry for more? Try Netflix's  Ugly Delicious  – there are two series to devour, as chef David Chang takes us to culinary hotspots across the world, showing us why good cooking is universal.

He meets everyone from pizza purists in Brooklyn and Naples to trying Viet-Cajun fusion cuisine in Houston. 

Where to watch it: Catch the new series of  Ugly Delicious  on Netflix . 

6. Night on Earth (2020)

What to watch:  Even when you're travelling, you don't get to see some of the most incredible sights - because some of them happen under the very cover of darkness.

In Netflix's Night on Earth , you can see this world open up before you, witnessing the secret lives of lions, bats and monkeys. Eerie and visually compelling stuff.

Where to watch it:  Night on Earth is on Netflix now. 

7. James May: Our Man In Japan (2020)

What you'll watch:  We know you loved Japan with Sue Perkins , but now that's it not available on iPlayer… how about racing through the island country with James May, instead?

Starting on the chilly northern island of Hokkaido, James embarks on a journey south to the balmy beaches of Shikoku and Kyushu, while meeting samurai in Honshu, sampling street food in Osaka and, of course, tackling the Suzuka Circuit on his way. 

Where to watch it:  Watch  James May: Our Man in Japan  on Amazon Prime now. 

8. Travel Man: 48 Hours in… (2019)

What you'll watch:  Richard Ayoade's droll two-day jaunts through cities across the world has provided us all with laughs since 2015.

While 2019's series was his last as lead presenter, we can still look forward to more Travel Man in the future as Hugo Boss – aka the the comedian formerly known as Joe Lycett – takes over the role.

If you haven't seen 48 Hours in… Amsterdam , it's the perfect episode to get a feel for Hugo's personality and learn more about the city's culture, cuisine and canals. 

Where to watch it: Find the past ten series of Travel Man: 48 Hours in… on All 4 .

9. Great Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo (2019)

What you'll watch:  Thousands of British commuters have  plenty to say about UK train travel, but in the hands of Michael Portillo, the divisive subject matter seems to take on a golden glow of nostalgia.

You know best, after all – you voted for the BBC's  Great Railway Journeys  as one of your top TV programmes in the last year.

Delving into the history of British rail, Michael reveals things we never knew about our local stations, including how an unlikely collaboration between London’s Crossrail railway project and a conservation charity is helping to protect birdlife in Series 11's Limehouse to Rochford episode. 

Where to watch it:  Look out for your local station on  Great British Railway Journeys   on iPlayer. 

10. Around the World in 80 Days (1989)

What to watch:  It's an oldie, but definitely a goodie – what could be better than staying in and getting a glimpse of how the world used to be with TV icon Michael Palin?

In Around the World in 80 Days , Michael follows in the footsteps of its main character Phileas Fogg, setting off on an epic adventure from London's Reform Club across the world.

Close shaves, missed connections and inevitable delays await as he desperately attempts to meet the 80-day deadline in time. A delicious throwback to a simpler time. 

Where to watch it:  Watch  Around the World in 80 Days on iPlayer . 

11. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)

What to watch:  The late Anthony Bourdain's Emmy-winning travel series is a must-watch for any traveller whose adventures are driven by a passion for excellent food.

Parts Unknown sees the world-renowned chef and documentarian delve into cuisines, cultures and politics in countries across the globe. Essentially, he eats his way around the world. 

With 12 seasons covering countless destinations (Vietnam and New York said to be two of his favourites), the later seasons take viewers on an off-the-beaten-track culinary journey through Armenia, Uruguay, Myanmar and beyond. 

Where to watch it: You can stream the series on Amazon Prime now.

12. Dark Tourist (2018)

What to watch: If you've watched the majority of travel TV already, here's one that may have slipped by you.

TV presenter David Farrier deep dives into so-called 'dark tourism': worldwide interest in visiting sites of nuclear disasters, destinations marred by danger or even death. If you've been to Chernobyl and Pripyat in Ukraine, you'll understand the fascination.

You can expect to see a trip to Turkmenistan, a visit to Pablo Escobar's former playground, Medellin in Colombia, as well as an excursion to Tomioka in Japan, the ghost town left behind after residents were evacuated following the Fukushima nuclear disaster. 

Where to watch it: You can stream one season of  Dark Tourist now on Netflix .

And… anything narrated by Sir David Attenborough

13. our planet (2019).

14. Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)

What you'll watch: Of course, no list of travel documentaries is complete without an appearance from the legend that is Sir David Attenborough.

Most of his back catalogue is listed on Netflix, including the original  Our Planet and the BBC's iconic   Planet Earth  and  Frozen Planet.  

You can also listen to Sir David's dulcet tones on BBC iPlayer - as he takes us through  Seven Worlds, One Planet , introducing us to some of the globe's most hostile habitats and remote landscapes, while narrating the fascinating behaviour of the local creatures, such as golden snub-nosed monkeys and grey-headed albatross chicks . 

Where to watch it: Find  Our Planet   along with most of Sir David's past shows on Netflix or catch up on  Seven Worlds, One Planet on iPlayer now. 

Simon Reeve on filming BBC's   The Americas

12 epic nature and wildlife documentaries you can watch now, behind the scenes of  our planet with alastair fothergill, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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Around the world in 50 series: the best TV travel shows of all time — and how to watch them

Take a 50,000-mile odyssey with michael palin, revisit some classic attenborough and tackle patagonia with the top gear team. these are the programmes to spark your wanderlust.

BEST FOR FOODIES

Rick Stein’s Long Weekends The Cornish-based chef packs his weekend bag for jaunts to Copenhagen, Cadiz, Thessaloniki and Palermo, ticking off the highlights in each city, sampling signature dishes and meeting local chefs along the way. Back at home in Padstow, Stein knocks up favourite dishes from his travels. Available on iPlayer

James Martin’s French Adventure Culinary worlds collide as the chef James Martin tours France’s famous-for-food regions in Keith Floyd’s old Citroën 2CV. Expect lashings of inspiration for your kitchen (and future holidays) as Martin travels from the St Émilion wine region to Paris, via the Dordogne, St Tropez and the Alps, trying his hand at speaking French along the way. Available on Britbox

Salt Fat Acid Heat Samin Nosrat, the author of the bestselling cookbook Salt Fat Acid Hea t , hits the road in a bid to explore the four pillars to successful cooking. The four episodes each tackle one element as Nosrat travels from Italy to California, via Japan and the Yucatan. Available on Netflix

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown The late chef’s globe-trotting adventures take him to Peru, Colombia and Libya on a mission to throw a spotlight on less-visited places. He meets locals and learns how their different food and dining experiences add to the destinations’ rich cultures. Available on Amazon Prime

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Gino’s Italian Escape Gino D’Acampo returns to his homeland, travelling the length and breadth of Italy, unearthing culinary secrets and whipping up mouthwatering dishes. Available on Britbox

Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey In a series first broadcast in 1999, the (rather younger-looking) Stein travels to seven countries, from India to Australia, picking up new recipe ideas and sampling unusual ingredients. For those who enjoy his more recent series, this is a blast from the past that should be enjoyed with a chilled glass of chardonnay in hand. Available on iPlayer

BEST FOR WANNABE ADVENTURERS

Full Circle with Michael Palin Over nearly a year the comedian-turned-TV presenter embarked on a 50,000-mile odyssey around the globe visiting 18 countries. Palin and crew started in 1995 on the Diomede Islands between Alaska and Russia, with the intent of making a full anticlockwise trip around the Pacific Rim, but bad weather at the end of the journey resulted in filming being abandoned two miles from the finish. With a steamer-ride down the Yangtze, a derailment in the Andes and a beauty contest in Hanoi this series can’t fail to entertain. Available on Britbox

Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure Lumley embarks on an ambitious journey, travelling 7,500 miles along the ancient Silk Road, starting in Venice and visiting eight countries en route to China. In a trusty 1960s, Soviet-built GAZ truck, she meets characters from nuclear physicists to film stars along the way. Available on Amazon Prime

Tropic of Capricorn with Simon Reeve Simon Reeve has followed the equator around the world, but in this four-part BBC documentary he’s doing so by tracking the southern edge of the Tropics. Close encounters with hungry cheetahs, soup made from the penis of the zebu, and a heart-breaking visit to an Aboriginal community are just some of the highlights. Beautifully shot, this series shows off some of the world’s harshest environments, from the Andes mountains to the Namib and Kalahari deserts. Available on iPlayer

Tropic of Cancer with Simon Reeve This time Reeve uses the Tropic of Cancer as his guide — visiting 18 countries en route. Beginning on the beaches of Mexico’s Pacific coast, Reeve travels east across the Caribbean, on to the Sahara, crossing borders in north Africa, including dodging the Moroccan secret police in the western Sahara, and then on through the deserts of Arabia and the remote jungles of Asia, finishing in Hawaii. Available on iPlayer

Joanna Lumley’s Japan Lumley’s charm and curiosity serve her well as she travels to the far reaches of Japan during this three-part series. From the subtropical islands of the south to the icy Siberian seas in the north, Lumley travels the length and breadth of the country, with visits to the Fukushima exclusion zone, the island of Shikoku and Kyoto at the height of cherry-blossom season. Available on Amazon Prime

Michael Palin’s Hemingway Adventure Italy, Cuba, Paris and Key West — 100 years after the birth of Ernest Hemingway, Palin set off, in 1999, on a globe-trotting mission to discover the man behind the legend. This four-part romp charts the travels of the hard-drinking author and journalist. It will make you thirsty. Available on iPlayer

India with Sanjeev Bhaskar Broadcast in 2007 to mark the 60th anniversary of the independence of India and Pakistan, this four-part series follows the comedian and writer of The Kumars at No 42 as he journeys across India. Visiting Jaipur, Calcutta, Delhi and Mumbai, Bhaskar meets people from diverse backgrounds, including a handful of his relatives, and tackles India’s eccentricities with a sense of humour. Available on iPlayer

Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days In a series first broadcast in 1989, Palin follows in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg circumnavigating the globe by land and sea. Palin, and his five-strong film crew — collectively named Passepartout after Fogg’s manservant — follow the original route as closely as possible, but face setbacks, including Palin ditching most of his crew to board a Yugoslavian freighter, where he and cameraman Nigel Meakin work as deckhands. Available on iPlayer

BEST FOR DAREDEVILS

Marooned With Ed Stafford Think lockdown is hard? Try being Ed Stafford. In these two series of Marooned the adventurer is stranded in a different remote and extreme environment for ten days without food, water or even a knife. From Botswana to the Arizona desert, and Patagonia to Namibia, how will he fare? It’s nail-biting stuff. Available on Amazon Prime

Win the Wilderness: Alaska With its vast wilderness and hulking glaciers, Alaska is one of the most impressive and remote parts of the world. In this new series, six British couples compete to win a three-storey home, built by Duane and Rena Ose over 30 years, and more than 100 miles from the nearest road. The couples face four physical tests in this challenging environment in their bid to score the house. Available on iPlayer

Extreme Everest with Ant Middleton The former Marine and chief instructor on SAS: Who Dares Wins faces one of his toughest challenges — reaching the 8,848m summit of the world’s highest mountain. This three-part series follows Middleton as he, the film-maker Ed Wardle and a team of Sherpas attempt to reach the peak, battling against nature including a life-threatening storm. Available on All 4

Long Way Round The year was 2004 and friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman had a plan to motorcycle 20,000 miles and cross 12 countries and 19 time zones in just 115 days as they accelerated from London to New York. The resulting series, Long Way Round , is gripping with breakdowns, the odd accident and troubles at border crossings, and the duo’s chemistry makes for easy watching. Fans will also enjoy the sequel, Long Way Down , in which the duo travel from John o’ Groats to Cape Town. Available on Amazon Prime

Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild Join friendly Fogle as he meets the people who have swapped the rat race for living off-grid. Highlights of the 11-series show are available to watch on My5. These include New Zealand, where Fogle meets Britons Tim and Lucy and their two daughters, who traded life in London for a yurt on a riverbank; and Sweden, where Italian Annalisa is developing a forest hideaway to share with her toddler. Available on My5

Race Across the World (series two) Five couples compete to race from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina without the use of smartphones — or planes. The teams are also forbidden to use credit cards and are given only the cash equivalent of their airfares from the starting point to the finishing line. There are five checkpoints en route, and when the kitty dries up, the teams must find ways to earn cash. Available on iPlayer

Michael Palin in North Korea Being granted access to the secretive communist state of North Korea is no mean feat at the best of times — let alone rolling in with television cameras. In this two-part documentary series, Palin tours the country, from the capital Pyongyang to the snowy peaks of Mount Paektu, flanked (at all times) by two “guides” who are members of the regime. Available on Britbox

BEST FOR WILDLIFE LOVERS

David Attenborough — The Early Years In 2013 the BBC aired a special one-off programme in which Attenborough recalled moments from his early broadcasting career. It’s a fascinating insight into the life of the natural historian. Better still is the accompanying series of BBC Four Collections that were first broadcast between 1955 and 1969 and have been reissued as 30-minute standalone documentaries. From a visit to Australia’s Northern Territory in 1963 to Attenborough’s meeting with a Fijian firewalker in 1960, the series is a captivating delve into our national treasure’s vast archive. Available on iPlayer

Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure Marvel at the beauty of Borneo’s untouched rainforests with Judi Dench by your side. The actress and her partner, David Mills, join a crocodile hunt on the country’s mightiest river, the Kinabatangan, explore the coral that fringes the shores of the tropical island, and visit an orangutan sanctuary. This is a heart-warming series with gorgeous visuals. Available on Britbox

Planet Earth Five years in the making, the first BBC nature programme to be filmed in high definition and the most expensive natural history series commissioned by Auntie, Planet Earth needs little introduction. Broadcast in 2006 and narrated by David Attenborough, it picked up four Emmy awards, and remains one of the greatest nature documentaries ever made. Available on iPlayer

Frozen Planet Another winner from the BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol, Frozen Planet sees David Attenborough go to the ends of the Earth, giving viewers the chance to experience the polar regions’ four seasons. It’s a tear-jerker. Available on iPlayer

Wild Wales Who says adventures have to involve going long-haul? In this mini-series, filmed over a year, TV presenter Iolo Williams explores the rugged landscapes and flora and fauna of Wales, where he’s from. This beautifully shot documentary takes you from Cardigan Bay to the Brecon Beacons’ waterfalls. Available on Britbox

Life on Earth: A Natural History by David Attenborough Broadcast in 1979, the whole series of Life on Earth is now available on BBC iPlayer. Presented by David Attenborough, the series follows the format established by Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation and sees the presenter cross the globe as he charts the evolution of life on the planet. Available on BBC iPlayer

BEST FOR COMEDY

The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan (series two) The comedian and TV presenter doesn’t give himself an easy ride in his travels to some of the most unlikely corners of the planet. In the series available now, Ranganathan visits colonial cities in Colombia, tries wrestling in Mongolia and bunks up in a “war hostel” in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Available on BBC iPlayer

The Trip Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s fictionalised foodie tours quickly gained a cult following. Although they went on to tackle Europe, the best series remains the original, with the friends touring the restaurants of northern England. Expect outrageous impressions, heated arguments and banter galore. Available on Google Play and Amazon Prime

An Idiot Abroad Warning: this is not a series for serious travellers after intelligent conversation. The “idiot” here is Karl Pilkington, the uncultured friend of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, dispatched by the pair on overseas jaunts. His adventures in China, India and Italy are available to view; expect food antipathy, accommodation complaints and lack of enthusiasm for the culture. Available on Google Play

The Trip to Italy Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan, after the success of the original UK series, return for a tour of Italy, travelling from Camogli in the north to Capri in the south, enjoying the best of the country’s gastronomy in some of its top restaurants. If you don’t fancy the whole six-part series, the spin-off feature-length film streams on Netflix. Available on Google Play

Travel Man Richard Ayoade partners with a different comedy star for each episode of his irreverent 48-hour city-guide series: Paul Rudd in Helsinki, Rob Delaney in Seville, Dawn French in Athens. The humour’s dry; their reactions tongue-in-cheek. They’re less in-depth guides, more like weekends away with your funniest mates. You’ll want in. Available on All 4

Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father (Southeast Asia) Comedian Jack and his fuddy-duddy father, Michael, set their sights on southeast Asia in the first series of this light-hearted “odd couple” programme. En route Jack takes Michael to a full moon party in Phuket and on a rickety train journey through Cambodia. Available on Netflix

Top Gear: Patagonia Special Filming of the double-episode 2014 Top Gear Christmas special sparked a diplomatic incident — Argentinians believed Jeremy Clarkson’s Porsche numberplate H982 FKL was a provocative reference to the Falklands War, and crew and presenters had to flee — but it still aired as planned. Whatever your feelings on the politics, there’s no denying the breathtaking sights as Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May take a 1,600-mile spin through Patagonia. Available on Britbox

Gordon, Gino and Fred: American Road Trip The trio’s latest road trip, which has just aired on ITV, takes in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Texas and Tijuana, with Gordon Ramsay hell-bent on showing Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix the best of American dining. And the rest: amuse-bouches along the way include dune-buggy racing, goat yoga, spear fishing, cowboy capers and wild wrestling. Available on ITV Hub

BEST FOR RAIL, WATERWAYS AND THE HIGH SEAS

Great Canal Journeys Join Timothy West and Prunella Scales as they cast off along the canals of Britain and farther afield. The couple’s obvious affection for each other and their frank conversations about Prunella’s dementia are heart-warming. Follow them along Birmingham’s waterways to the Gota Canal in Sweden and even India. Available on All 4

Cruising with Jane McDonald In the Bafta award-winning programme, the former cruise-ship singer takes us behind the scenes on everything from mega ocean-going vessels to nimble river ships. It’s easy viewing as Yorkshire-born McDonald, known for her infectious laughter and natural warmth, gets stuck in to fine food, entertainment and sights. Available on Britbox

Joanna Lumley’s Trans-Siberian Adventure Lumley boards the 9,289km Trans-Siberian Express to take the world’s longest railway trip from Hong Kong, where she spent some of her childhood, to Moscow. Hopping on and off, Lumley takes in the Great Wall and Gobi Desert, and charms everyone she meets (darling). The geopolitics adds interest; in China Lumley, who campaigned fiercely for the Gurkhas, quietly shows her disapproval at the country’s treatment of Tibet. Available on Britbox

Great British Railway Journeys Celebrated for his encyclopaedic train knowledge and eccentric fashion choices, Michael Portillo, the former Tory politician, takes viewers on a UK-wide rail adventure. Eleven series of the programme have aired; a selection of episodes from series nine, covering southern England and Wales, are available now. Available on BBC iPlayer

Mekong River with Sue Perkins Set sail with Sue Perkins on her 3,000-mile journey up the Mekong, the mighty southeast Asian river. Travelling through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and China, Perkins meets a brilliant cast of people living on the banks of the river, attends the Dai water-splashing festival, and joins a wildlife rescue team releasing rescued macaques back into the rainforest. Available on Google Play

Great Railway Journeys (series two) Although the BBC made four series of Great Railway Journeys , only series two, aired in 1994, can still be viewed online. This series takes in South Africa, Bolivia and Uzbekistan among many other destinations, with episodes presented by rail enthusiasts Clive Anderson, Michael Palin, Natalia Makarova, Mark Tully, Rian Malan and Lisa St Aubin de Terán. Available on BBC iPlayer

BEST FOR GOING BEHIND THE SCENES

British Airways: 100 Years in the Sky Our flag-carrier airline may have all but grounded its fleet for the time being, but cast your mind back to last year and you might remember BA banging the drum in celebration of its 100th anniversary. This two-part documentary goes behind the scenes and inside cockpits, sweeping from the days when passengers sat in wicker chairs to the super-jumbos of today. Available on Britbox

Great British Royal Ships The broadcaster Rob Bell embarks on a voyage to discover the history of two royal yachts, Britannia and Queen Mary , in this two-part series. From royal deaths to abdications and daring rescue missions, the series gives an insight into the secrets behind two ships that helped to shape our nation’s history. Available on Britbox

Paddington Station 24/7 (series one and two) Go behind the scenes at one of Britain’s busiest railway stations as travel disruption causes passenger tempers to fray, a terror threat prompts the station’s evacuation and Great Western Railway launches its new rolling stock. Available on Britbox

The Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman has broken records, starred on the big screen and won the hearts of Scottish and English rail enthusiasts alike. Built in 1923, it’s arguably the world’s most famous locomotive; it covered more than two million miles until retirement from regular service in 1963. This two-part documentary, presented by Rob Bell, explores its stirring history, from its day-job hurtling along the East Coast Mainline to jaunts to the US and Canada. Available on Britbox

The QE2 Now a luxury hotel moored in Dubai, the luxury Queen Elizabeth 2 was hailed a “miracle” when she set sail in 1969 for almost 40 years’ service. This two-part series charts the ship’s magnificent history — from construction to retirement — and explores how it was not the sale of tickets but the on-board casinos that kept her afloat financially. Available on Britbox

Inside Claridge’s Head beyond the lobby in one of London’s swankiest hotels. The three-part series, directed by Jane Treays, won acclaim for its storylines and for her acute off-screen questioning. Filmed in 2012, the series includes the build-up to the London Olympics and preparations for a royal visit. Available on Britbox

Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport This is the show that introduces us to some of the 76,000 men and women whose job it is to keep the show on the road — and get the planes in the sky — at what is normally Britain’s busiest airport. Stand by for royal arrivals, medical emergencies and time with the police sniffer dogs. Available on ITV Hub

Inside King’s Cross: The Railway Keeping 30 million passengers on the move each year poses challenges that make for fascinating viewing in this fly-on-the-wall documentary following staff at King’s Cross. From stricken commuter trains to the chaos of the Christmas getaway, there are tears, tantrums and — with the arrival of new Azuma trains — celebrations. Available on Britbox

The Jumbo Jet: 50 Years in the Sky The original jumbo jet, the Boeing 747, caught the imagination of the travelling public when it entered commercial service in 1969 because of its iconic two-deck nose. Commissioned for the 50th anniversary in 2019, this two-part documentary charts the history of “the plane that shrank the world”, from the golden age of air travel to the no-frills flying we have come to know. Available on Britbox

What have we missed? Let us know in the comments below

The best shows on BBC iPlayer (and how to stream them anywhere)

Here are our top iPlayer picks, and how to watch them abroad

Brits have it pretty good when it comes to streaming. Alongside all the paid-for options, they also get BBC iPlayer , a totally free and very user-friendly service that delivers tons of quality TV, available ad-free to absolutely anyone. 

Compared to those in the US and other countries, that means you can realistically get by without paying for any streaming service like Netflix and still have a huge range of shows to watch – from kids content to weighty dramas, reality shows to classic films and a healthy dose of British comedy, all alongside streams of the live BBC channels.

So, if you're stuck with too much choice to make a decision, here we'll be running down the best shows on BBC iPlayer available right now.

• The best US only Netflix shows , as well as UK and other-region exclusives
• Here's how to watch BBC live anywhere
• Stay up to date with our VPN testing: Which VPNs work with Netflix 

Watching BBC iPlayer outside the UK

ExpressVPN is our #1 recommendation for accessing the best shows on BBC iPlayer outside the UK. With excellent speeds, unrivalled location spoofing power and easy-to-use apps, it's the perfect choice for watching iPlayer anywhere. Plus, Tom's Guide readers can now claim three months free on any 12-month plan.

If you're not currently in the UK, you'll notice that you won't be able to watch anything on iPlayer. This is because the BBC blocks access for those in other countries due to distribution rights of its shows.

However, if you've left the country on a work trip or holiday and still want to keep up with the best shows on BBC iPlayer, there's a handy workaround to get access.

All you need to do is sign up to a quality iPlayer VPN and then connect to a UK VPN server. By doing this you'll trick iPlayer into thinking you're still in the UK, meaning you can watch whatever you want, wherever you are.

The best VPN we've tested with iPlayer is ExpressVPN . It's fast, effective, and super secure for all your other VPN needs, too.

There are a couple of things to note, however. First up, to watch the BBC you're required to pay the TV Licence fee, and using a VPN predictably goes against iPlayer's terms and conditions – so bear that in mind when you're watching abroad.

The best shows on BBC iPlayer

I may destroy you.

Michaela Coel's surreal tour de force is a powerful, affecting and deceptively funny exploration of the Me Too movement, race, sexuality, and millennials at large trying to make it in the 'real world'. Following burgeoning social media personality and reluctant author Arabella (Coel) after she is drugged and raped at a club, I May Destroy You documents her coming to terms with the assault, her plans for revenge, and trying to rebuild her life along the way.   

The Terror is a chilling and engaging adaptation of the 2007 Dan Simmons novel of the same name, which is a fictionalized account of Sir john Franklin's doomed expedition of the Canadian Arctic.

Although season 2 isn't available on iPlayer yet, season 1 is a self-contained story – the second instalment skips ahead over a hundred years to WWII. That means you won't be left on edge waiting to find out what happens to Franklin and his crew. 

Executive produced by Ridley Scott (amongst others), The Terror is seriously compelling television, and now it's available for absolutely free on BBC iPlayer after a two-year stint of Amazon and AMC distribution. 

Killing Eve

If you haven't at least heard of Killing Eve, you'll want to get to know sooner rather than later. Based on Luke Jennings' Villanelle novels, Killing Eve follows sacked MI5 officer/newly recruited MI6 operative Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) while the captivating Villanelle (Jodie Comer) goes about her daily business as an assassin. Made even more compelling by the two scintillating leads, Killing Eve's story twists and turns, with the first series (written by Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge) being a real highlight. Keep an ear out for Comer's accent mastery too – you'd never guess she was a native Liverpudlian until you watch an out-of-character interview.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK

Ever watched RuPaul's Drag Race but wished the contestants embodied British icons like Katie Price and Scary Spice? Drag Race UK should have you covered. It's exactly what you think it is – a British version of the classic US Drag Race (albeit without the hefty cash prize) – and has proved incredibly popular even outside the UK. If you're looking for out-there personalities, essentially meaningless but infinitely quotable lines like 'nipples are the eyes of the face', plus RuPaul, Graham Norton and Alan Carr slating hapless hopefuls, Drag Race UK will be right up your alley. God save the Queens.

Line of Duty

For those looking for something a bit more serious, Jed Mercurio's Line of Duty should do the job. Over six series (the most recent airing as we speak), Anti-Corruption Unit 12 polices the police, busting bent coppers and making sure the long arm of the law stays on the straight and narrow. While the action is entertaining, the highlights of the show are the lengthy interrogation scenes, in which DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) drill into suspects and uncover the truth.

Starting off with the first reboot series starring Christopher Eccleston, Doctor Who went from uncertain revival to world-beating success. If you're not sure of the concept (perhaps you're a Dalek), the Doctor is a time-travelling alien who interferes with evil and protects the innocent, usually with a human sidekick or two in tow. But we don't really need to tell you this – all you need to know is that every season of the twenty-first-century reboot is available for free on BBC iPlayer.

Absolutely Fabulous

Developing from a French and Saunders sketch into a fully fledged bastion of British comedy with the addition of Joanna Lumley, Absolutely Fabulous details the exploits of two apparently successful women who really seem more interested in drinking wine, smoking cigarettes and recapturing their halcyon days than doing any work. Eddy Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) is consistently led astray by Patsy Stone (Lumley), and is very often the child in her relationship with daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha). It's 90s comedy at its finest, and subversive enough to stand its ground against modern competition.

Gavin and Stacey

A Christmas essential in the UK, Gavin and Stacey is available all year round on BBC iPlayer. US viewers might be more familiar with Smithy (James Corden) than they will be with Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page), but the series is a heartfelt coming together (or not!?) of two very different families – one from the very English Essex, and one from the very Welsh Barry. Co-writer Ruth Jones' Nessa is blunt but brilliant, and Rob Brydon's Bryn is is always entertaining to watch – and what really did happen on that fishing trip?

Death in Paradise

Easy to watch but deceptively clever, the sun-soaked Death in Paradise follows a series of British detectives (currently Ralf Little) as they investigate a seemingly endless number of fatal crimes committed on the fictional Caribbean Island of Saint Marie – think Midsomer Murders holding a rum punch. Supported by an excellent cast of local Saint Marie officers and detectives, Death in Paradise is an excellent way to chase away the lockdown blues.

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Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. Day-to-day he oversees VPN , privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes independent testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are accurate and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the nitty-gritty settings of a VPN you've never heard of, you'll find him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Show instead of finally putting up those shelves.

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