Cottagecore is an internet aesthetic that's easy to love, with its emphasis on simple pleasures and idyllic natural settings. The genre embraces wildlife, slow living, vintage clothing, and of course, cottages.
Though cottagecore has received some criticism for its tendency to romanticize rural life and/or bygone eras, the core ideas that it celebrates, of taking the time to enjoy nature and crafting, can be appreciated on their own. Whether audiences are looking for period dramas, cooking shows, or anime, there are a number of series on Netflix that will feed the cottagecore soul.
Updated on May 18, 2022 by Stacie Rook: The Crawley family may be heading to the South of France in the upcoming sequel movie Downton Abbey: A New Era, but fans missing the cottagecore vibes from the manor and its gardens can still catch the original show on Netflix. From the streaming platform's original programming to British reality shows, there are many genres of television that embrace the cottagecore aesthetic, giving viewers a chance to unwind with stories that place an emphasis on the value and beauty of the natural world.
Anne With An E (2017-2019)
The beloved story of an imaginative orphan who comes to live on Prince Edward Island in the late 19th Century, L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables got a new adaptation in 2017, titled Anne with an E.
The show features idyllic countryside, plenty of homemade preserves, and endless summer days, but it doesn't shy away from delving into more serious topics, modernizing the original books while staying true to their essence. The high praise the show received over its three seasons has many fans believing it Anne with an E should never have been cancelled.
Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Downton Abbey is set in the titular household of an aristocratic English family in the early 1900s, following not only the lives of the family themselves but also their staff. Though the show ended in 2015, it has had two follow-up movies, with the second, Downton Abbey: A New Era releasing on May 20.
The costumes, manor, and gardens of this series are stunning, while intricate details lend authenticity to the portrayal. While there is plenty of drama to be had, there are also moments of humor, largely thanks to Maggie Smith's fantastic performance as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess.
The Great British Bake Off (2010- )
While there are plenty of food shows on Netflix that don't involve cake, it's hard to beat the ones that do, and The Great British Baking Show is a prime example of why. Inspiring viewers worldwide to try their hand at the art, the series sees 12 amateur home bakers test their skills against one another in creating all manner of delicious baked goods.
The series is usually filmed in Welford Park, a country estate in Berkshire, England, and as the weeks go by, viewers get to know their favorite bakers, and root for them to succeed. Unlike many reality shows, though, there's always a sense of camaraderie between the contestants, which makes for a pleasant viewing experience.
The Big Flower Fight (2020- )
Florists, garden designers, and sculptors come together in The Big Flower Fight in a friendly competition to see who can create the most impressive floral art.
From the pastoral setting to the beautiful and imaginative floral artworks, this show embraces an idealized relationship with the countryside and nature in true cottagecore form. Fans of What We Do in the Shadows will also be surprised to see Natasia Demetriou, who plays vampire Nadja, step into the light as one of The Big Flower Fight's presenters.
Pride And Prejudice (1995)
The 1995 BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice features Colin Firth in his iconic role as Mr. Darcy, a casting choice that makes it one of the best Pride and Prejudice adaptations.
The cast fit their roles perfectly, and the dialogue is straight from Austen herself, keeping both her original characters and comedic wit intact. This version of the story features pretty countryside scenery and neutral-toned dresses that perfectly capture the cottagecore vibe.
Land Girls (2009-2011)
Land Girls follows a group of women in World War II England who set out to do their part in the war effort by farming. The Women's Land Army was a real organization made up of mostly volunteers and some conscripted women in England.
These women helped to boost the food production of the UK during the war when most of the men who usually worked the farms were fighting overseas. While the show isn't totally historically accurate, it depicts a fascinating time in English history amidst a beautiful rural backdrop.
Secrets Of Great British Castles (2015-2016)
Documentary series the Secrets of Great British Castles explores the history, known and unknown, of many spectacular British castles and the people who lived there.
Over two seasons, this documentary visits castles around England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It's a relaxing and interesting historical documentary with a fantastic backdrop of stunning castles.
Cabins In The Wild (2017)
Cabins in the Wild follows a competition to create a wilderness pop-up hotel in Wales. For fans who enjoy the peaceful beauty of the countryside and some DIY cottage buildings, this show will be a hit.
There are some pretty amazing and inspirational cabins built throughout the show, which is a quick watch with only four episodes. Viewers may find themselves sketching out their own cabin plans after watching.
Hakumei And Mikochi (2018)
One of the best laidback slice-of-life anime can often fit into the cottagecore aesthetic, and Hakumei and Mikochi certainly does. This series follows the lives of two tiny tree-dwelling people as they go about their simple lives in the forest.
Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, the series combines rustic living, cheerful characters, a serene forest setting, and some talking animal friends for a classic cottagecore indulgence.
Call The Midwife (2012- )
Call the Midwife is a charming period drama about the lives of a group of midwives and nuns, set in London during the 1950s and 1960s.
While the show does tackle some difficult subjects, it has strong themes of community that lend itself to the tenets of cottagecore, and the show's enduring popularity has kept it on the air for a decade and counting.