Keeping Up Appearances backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of Keeping Up Appearances

Every episode of Keeping Up Appearances ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Keeping Up Appearances!

Binge this in 19h 59m•Peaking at 9.0/10

Hyacinth Bucket (whose name, she insists, is pronounced "Bouquet") is a suburban housewife in the West Midlands. She would be the first to tell you that she is a gracious hostess, a respected citizen, and

Airs on
BBC One
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Keeping Up Appearances Season 3 Episode 4 - How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying
    9.0/10(330 votes)

    #1 - How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying

    S3:E4

    Hyacinth takes a trip to the travel agents for some "quality" holiday brochures. Afterwards, Onslow decides to take Richard in hand and show him how to 'enjoy' life.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Keeping Up Appearances Season 4 Episode 7 - Let There Be Light
    8.7/10(287 votes)

    #2 - Let There Be Light

    S4:E7

    It is the "bring and buy" sale at the Church hall and the Church goers are in for a shock because Hyacinth has volunteered Richard to fix the Church hall electrics, despite his lack of electrical capabilities. Meanwhile Onslow, Daisy, and Rose turn up with a Daddy believing he is back in the war.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Keeping Up Appearances Season 3 Episode 7 - What To Wear When Yachting
    8.5/10(397 votes)

    #3 - What To Wear When Yachting

    S3:E7

    Hyacinth and Richard spend the weekend on a yacht.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Keeping Up Appearances Season 5 Episode 4 - A Riverside Picnic
    8.3/10(325 votes)

    #4 - A Riverside Picnic

    S5:E4

    Hyacinth organises a riverside picnic, much to the despair of those invited. Despite Emett's and the Vicar's best efforts to tell Hyacinth they are unable to attend, they find getting out of Hyacinth's function impossible. As always, Hyacinth's plans of perfection are shattered when a digger dumps dirt in her chosen location for the picnic.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Keeping Up Appearances Season 1 Episode 3 - Stately Home
    8.2/10(406 votes)

    #5 - Stately Home

    S1:E3

    Hyacinth and Richard visit a stately home where the leading lady hopes to meet a member of the aristocratic family. However she fears her social status will be sabotaged by Onslow, Daisy and Rose, who turn up unexpectedly. Thus Hyacinth drags Richard through the ground's private gardens to hide from the lower-class clan.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Keeping Up Appearances Season 1 Episode 4 - The Charity Shop
    8.2/10(417 votes)

    #6 - The Charity Shop

    S1:E4

    It is Liz and Hyacinth's day to help Mrs Nugent at the charity shop, and on their way there, Hyacinth has to make a visit to Onslow and Daisy's to remove a woman (played by Gretchen Franklin) from Daddy's room, refusing to leave. Meanwhile Rose intends to give up men, and arrives at the charity shop to donate her raunchy underwear.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Keeping Up Appearances

    READ
  7. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 4 - Hyacinth Tees Off
    8.2/10(382 votes)

    #7 - Hyacinth Tees Off

    S2:E4

    The Major invites the Buckets for a golfing weekend at a luxury hotel. All is well until Onslow and Daisy turn up unexpectedly to collect Rose after she has spent a raunchy weekend away with a Mr Smith. Inevitably, when Hyacinth realises her family are there, she fears for her social standing. Adding to her dilemma is the amorous intentions of the Major.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 6 - Onslow's Birthday
    8.2/10(349 votes)

    #8 - Onslow's Birthday

    S2:E6

    Hyacinth is dreading an invite to Onslow's birthday party, but changes her mind when finding out she and Richard will be picked up by Rose's wealthy Greek boyfriend. Thus Hyacinth holds a gathering at her house to impress the neighbours as she departs in the luxury vehicle. However her hopes die when a hearse arrives instead.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 9 - The Three-Piece Suite
    8.2/10(345 votes)

    #9 - The Three-Piece Suite

    S2:E9

    Hyacinth is very excited at the prospect of having her new three piece suite, an exact replica of the one at Sandringham House, delivered. She will also give Daisy and Onslow her old suite, provided they pick it up themselves. But of course these two events are likely to collide at some point, creating an insurmountable disaster.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 2 - Driving Mrs. Fortescue
    8.0/10(423 votes)

    #10 - Driving Mrs. Fortescue

    S2:E2

    Hyacinth and Richard drive a wealthy Mrs Fortescue into town, however Hyacinth's plans to impress are crushed by her family when Daisy and Rose flag down the Buckets for a lift. Eventually to Hyacinth's dismay, this leads to Mrs Fortescue playing darts with Onslow in a public house.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 7 - Singing For Emmet
    8.0/10(346 votes)

    #11 - Singing For Emmet

    S2:E7

    Richard is offered early retirement and so ponders over the possibility of having to spend all day everyday with Hyacinth. Emmett is enraged when Hyacinth ends up rehearsing a performance for the old people at the Church Hall with him, and a tranquilised Rose arrives at the scene wanting to become a nun.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Keeping Up Appearances Season 3 Episode 2 - Iron Age Remains
    8.0/10(316 votes)

    #12 - Iron Age Remains

    S3:E2

    Hyacinth drags Richard off into the countryside in search of the remains of an Iron Age settlement.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Keeping Up Appearances Season 3 Episode 5 - Richard's New Hobby
    8.0/10(305 votes)

    #13 - Richard's New Hobby

    S3:E5

    Hyacinth decides that Richard should get a new hobby... and so insists he uses the camera that his boss presented to him when he retired!

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Keeping Up Appearances Season 4 Episode 2 - Country Retreat
    8.0/10(308 votes)

    #14 - Country Retreat

    S4:E2

    Hyacinth wants “a little place in the country”, however her heart is not set on little. An old farmer with a speech impediment causes much difficulty for Hyacinth when out looking at property, and seems to take a liking to her.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Keeping Up Appearances Season 4 Episode 5 - Looking At Properties
    8.0/10(292 votes)

    #15 - Looking At Properties

    S4:E5

    Richard panics when leaving Hyacinth to browse country property without him, fearing she will purchase something they cannot afford, as he collects "Daddy" from a police station. Finally Hyacinth decides on a country property.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Keeping Up Appearances Season 5 Episode 3 - Hyacinth is Alarmed
    8.0/10(326 votes)

    #16 - Hyacinth is Alarmed

    S5:E3

    Richard is terrified to wake up to see Hyacinth smiling at him; he later realises he has forgotten his and Hyacinth's wedding anniversary. Richard then decides to have an alarm system installed, claiming it is Hyacinth's "surprise" anniversary present.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Keeping Up Appearances Season 5 Episode 7 - The Boy Friend
    8.0/10(268 votes)

    #17 - The Boy Friend

    S5:E7

    Hyacinth sings to her hearts content when discovering Emmett's latest musical The Boyfriend is in production. Meanwhile Daddy is once again back in the war and guarding Onslow’s house with a sharp object.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Keeping Up Appearances Season 1 Episode 1 - Daddy's Accident
    7.8/10(503 votes)

    #18 - Daddy's Accident

    S1:E1

    Hyacinth's "Daddy" is put into an ambulance and taken to hospital, after getting injured chasing after the milk woman naked on her bike. After visiting him, Hyacinth returns home and is visited by the gas man, whose life she makes difficult.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Keeping Up Appearances Season 1 Episode 2 - The New Vicar
    7.8/10(432 votes)

    #19 - The New Vicar

    S1:E2

    Hyacinth is determined to create the perfect impression when inviting the new Vicar for “tea and light refreshments”. However her hopes come crashing down on her when Onslow and Daisy turn up with the news Daddy has been kidnapped by a gypsy. The day gets even worse for the polish-perfecting protagonist when Rose turns up, on her way to her own funeral.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 3 - The Candlelight Supper
    7.8/10(349 votes)

    #20 - The Candlelight Supper

    S2:E3

    Hyacinth wants to impress Emmet with her musical talents at an elaborate musical supper. However her plans backfire when a short-skirted Rose turns up, followed by two aggressive men who begin fighting on Hyacinth's doorstep.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Keeping Up Appearances Season 2 Episode 5 - Problems with Relatives
    7.8/10(345 votes)

    #21 - Problems with Relatives

    S2:E5

    Hyacinth's brother-in-law Bruce is stuck up a tree, Daddy goes to the register office to be married and Emmett meets Daisy, Onslow and Rose, throwing Hyacinth into dismay. Liz offers to drive Daddy back to Daisy's, but to avoid herself and Emmett seeing how Daisy and Onslow live, Hyacinth insists they stop off at Violet's.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Keeping Up Appearances Season 3 Episode 1 - Early Retirement
    7.8/10(323 votes)

    #22 - Early Retirement

    S3:E1

    Richard has had to take early retirement. Sadly for him, Hyacinth has many plans for his future.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Keeping Up Appearances Season 4 Episode 6 - Please Mind Your Head
    7.8/10(330 votes)

    #23 - Please Mind Your Head

    S4:E6

    Hyacinth and Richard are settling into their new country apartment, but Richard is less than enthused with its diminutive size. It's already cramped enough as it is for two, but when Hyacinth invites friends over, it becomes unbearably tiny!

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Keeping Up Appearances Season 1 Episode 6 - The Christening
    7.7/10(386 votes)

    #24 - The Christening

    S1:E6

    Daisy and Onslow’s granddaughter Kylie is getting christened, but Hyacinth is unimpressed because there has not been a wedding first. The day does not get any better for Hyacinth when she and Richard are forced to come to the rescue of the baby's mother Stephanie, whose transport has broken down. The leading lady then learns the baby's mother is a hippie, who is unaware of the baby’s father.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Keeping Up Appearances Season 5 Episode 6 - Country Estate Sale
    7.7/10(282 votes)

    #25 - Country Estate Sale

    S5:E6

    Richard is not looking forward to going to a country house sale with Hyacinth as he believes she will spend beyond their limit. Liz and brother Emmett are also going to the sale, and are devastated when they realise Hyacinth is there. Meanwhile, a Mrs Braddock has commandeered Onslow’s car and is impersonating his dog, which has gone missing.

    Director:Harold Snoad
    Writer:Roy Clarke

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying" is the best rated episode of "Keeping Up Appearances". It scored 9/10 based on 330 votes. Directed by Harold Snoad and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/27/1992. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Let There Be Light".