The Wombles (1973)
The beloved BBC animated classic about furry recyclers beneath Wimbledon Common, created by Elizabeth Beresford and narrated by Bernard Cribbins.
The Wombles - Series Information
- Original Title: The Wombles
- First Air Year: 1973
- Last Air Year: 1975
- Created by: Elizabeth Beresford
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Family
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (8 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 60
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: FilmFair
The Wombles - Plot
The misadventures of a small community dedicated to cleaning up litter and putting it to their own use.
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The Wombles - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Elizabeth Beresford
Main Cast
- Bernard Cribbins
Writers
- Elizabeth Beresford
The Wombles - FAQs
Is The Wombles based on a book?
The Wombles is directly adapted from Elisabeth Beresford's beloved children's book series of the same name, first published in 1968. Beresford herself wrote the TV scripts, ensuring the animated series stayed true to the warmth, humour, and eco-conscious spirit of her original stories.
What is The Wombles about?
The Wombles follows a community of furry, bear-like creatures living beneath Wimbledon Common in London. They spend their days collecting and cleverly repurposing litter left behind by humans, turning rubbish into useful inventions. It's a charming, gently comedic series with a surprisingly ahead-of-its-time environmental message.
Where can you watch The Wombles?
Streaming availability for The Wombles varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area, including any streaming, rental, or purchase platforms currently carrying the series.
Who narrated The Wombles TV series?
The late, great Bernard Cribbins served as narrator throughout the entire run of The Wombles, lending the series its distinctive warmth and gentle wit. His expressive voice brought each Womble character to life with remarkable individuality, and his performance remains one of the most fondly remembered aspects of the show.
Who composed the music for The Wombles?
The memorable music for The Wombles was composed by Mike Batt, who went on to achieve enormous commercial success with the Wombles-themed pop songs he produced in the 1970s. The catchy theme tune became a cultural touchstone in the UK, and Batt's Wombles-inspired pop group scored multiple chart hits.
How many episodes does The Wombles have?
The Wombles ran for 60 episodes across two series, each containing 30 episodes. With a runtime of around 8 minutes per episode, the show was perfectly paced for its young audience. Both series aired on BBC One between 1973 and 1975, produced by the animation studio FilmFair.
What environmental themes does The Wombles explore?
Long before recycling became mainstream, The Wombles championed the idea of reducing waste and repurposing discarded materials. The Wombles' entire way of life revolves around collecting human litter and transforming it into something useful, making the series a surprisingly prescient advocate for environmental responsibility aimed at young children.
What shows are similar to The Wombles?
If you enjoy The Wombles, you might love The Animals of Farthing Wood, Fraggle Rock, or Mona the Vampire for their mix of charming characters and gentle adventure. The Story of Tracy Beaker and The Backyardigans also share that warm, imaginative spirit that made The Wombles such an enduring classic.
More About The Wombles
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