These British Crime Shows Will Give You Serious Wanderlust

If you are a fan of classic Brit crime fiction, you would know that the British countryside plays an important role in the stories. A slew of shows with all the tropes of British mysteries are bringing the joys of the English lanscapes to your screens. Bingewatch these shows to get a glimpse of some of the most stunning regions in the UK. They can well be a guide to your next holiday destination.

Hinterland (Netflix)

This popular bilingual detective show (shot in both Welsh and English) is set in the ruggedly dramatic backdrop of Wales. The stunning hills, beaches and windswept coastal paths are the background for many grisly murders. The untamed landscape will remind you of another British classic, Wuthering Heights. You also get a glimpse of the life, and stunning architecture, of Welsh towns. For instance the atmospheric pubs of Aberystwyth and Borth. The former is a multicultural town because of its university. 

Broadchurch (Netflix)

Writer Chris Chibnall describes Broadchurch as a love letter to the scenery of the Jurassic Coast which uses key West Dorset landmarks as part of its story. The show's two detectives David Tennant (Dr Who) and Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Favourite) mooch around the picturesque Dorset clifftops, with rolling waves below. Watch out for shots of the towering sandstone cliffs of Harbour Cliff Beach and East Cliff, bathed in ethereal sunlight. They set the mood of this award-winning drama.

Shetland (Netflix)

Another moody detective noir set in the backdrop of craggy cliffs and sea, this series is shot mostly in the windy, bleak-but-beautiful Shetland Isles. Based on the novels by Ann Cleves, some of the scenes are filmed in mainland Scotland too. Shetland is one of those remote locations, off the northeast coast of Scotland. The most northerly outpost in the UK, it is close to the Scandinavian countries. It has that midsummer light when the sky doesn’t really get dark, locals speak with a Scandinavian lilt, and streets have names like King Haakon. Shetland is also known for its wool and knitting culture. The Fair Isle designs are world famous (Fair Isle gets featured prominently in series two). Shetland’s atmospheric capital Lerwick is featured often in the show. Look out for the waterside home of Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez set in this gorgeous seaside place.

Grantchester (buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies)

Based on the delightful books by James Runcie, this series features life in 1950s Cambridge. It is shot in Grantchester, a village on the River Cam in South Cambridgeshire. This idyllic setting has also been the inspiration for poet Rupert Brooke, Jeffrey Archer has a place here, and it has been home to several Nobel prizewinners. Get a glimpse of its picture-perfect charm and famous church in this series.