The Herbs

A Fragrant Favourite from the Golden Age of Children’s TV

First broadcast in 1968 as part of the BBC’s cherished Watch With Mother strand, The Herbs remains one of British children’s television’s most whimsically enchanting creations. Created by Michael Bond – best known as the literary father of Paddington Bear – and brought to life by director and animator Ivor Wood (who also worked on The Magic Roundabout), the series combined charming storytelling with inventive stop-motion puppetry to produce something truly unique.

The premise was simple, yet magical. With the utterance of the secret word “Herbidacious!”, the gates to a fantastical garden would swing open, ushering viewers into the quaint world of Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary. Here, a delightful cast of herb-themed characters awaited – each lovingly crafted, each named after a plant or spice, and each with a distinctive personality that made the show a joy to watch.

There was Dill the Dog, nervous and excitable; Sage the Owl, wise and rather serious; Aunt Mint, the kindly matriarch; Mr Onion, the local schoolmaster, accompanied by his mischievous pupils, the Chives. Bayleaf the Gardener bustled about tending to the grounds, while the mystical Tarragon the Dragon added a dash of fantasy. Then there were the more exotic Pashana Bedhi, an Eastern mystic of sorts, and the ever-scheming Belladonna. Every character had a specific herbaceous link and a matching temperament – an inspired and educational twist that gave the series its subtle botanical edge.

But the true star of The Herbs was undoubtedly Parsley the Lion – a large-headed, softly spoken, and somewhat anxious character who quickly stole the hearts of young viewers. With his dry wit and world-weary sighs, Parsley offered a droll counterpoint to the garden’s more manic residents. His popularity was such that he earned his own spin-off show, The Adventures of Parsley, in which he shared the spotlight with Dill the Dog in a shorter, even more whimsical format.

Narrated with warmth and gentle humour by Gordon Rollings, The Herbs combined a poetic script with beautifully hand-crafted sets and figures. The pacing was unhurried, allowing children time to savour the visuals and absorb the gentle morality woven into the tales. Much like The Magic Roundabout or Camberwick Green, it worked on multiple levels – appealing to young children while charming adults with its subtle wit and wordplay.

In an age before frenetic animation and merchandising tie-ins, The Herbs was content to delight in the quiet magic of storytelling and character. Its legacy endures not just through nostalgic fondness, but because it represents a particular kind of creativity – thoughtful, inventive, and ever so slightly eccentric.

The Herbs may have been a modest garden in the vast landscape of children’s television, but it continues to bloom in the memory of those lucky enough to have wandered through its gates. Herbidacious indeed.