A series of children's books written and illustrated by Jill Barklem. The first four books in the series, which focus on seasons, consist of:
- Summer Story (1980)
- Autumn Story (1980)
- Winter Story (1980)
- Spring Story (1980)
The other books in the series have original stories, and those books are:
- The Secret Staircase (1983)
- The High Hills (1986)
- Sea Story (1990)
- Poppy's Babies (1994)
The series focuses on a community of fieldmice who live together in the English countryside. The characters include Lord and Lady Woodmouse and their daughter Primrose; Mr and Mrs Toadflax and their children Wilfred, Teasel, Clover and Catkin; Basilnote ; Dusty Dogwood; Old Mrs. Eyebright, her granddaughter Poppy Eyebright and Mr and Mrs Apple.
The books have been adapted for television by Cosgrove Hall and The BBC, as a stop-motion series titled The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge. When Cosgrove Hall ran out of stories to adapt, they began making original stories for the BBC, but they had to stop after just two were completed because of the death of Charlotte Coleman, one of the cast members, from an asthma attack.
In 2003, a Compilation Movie called A Year in Brambly Hedge was released, featuring the first 4 specials, which were linked by material which had been completed before Charlotte Coleman's death.
The books provide examples of:
- Babysitting Episode: There are two of these: Poppy's Babies and Primrose in Charge.
- Birthday Episode: Spring Story has Wilfred turn a year older.
- Big Fancy House: Lord and Lady Woodmouse reside in Old Oak Palace, the name of which kind of speaks for itself.
- Close-Knit Community: The Brambly Hedge mice are very much this.
- Floral Theme Naming: Pretty much every named female mouse: Daisy, Primrose, Clover, Catkin, Poppy, Rose, Buttercup... One notable exception is Mrs Apple, whose name is apparently Betty.
- The Great Flood: One of these occurs in the special Wilfred to the Rescue.
- Happily Married: Basically every married couple in Brambly Hedge - Mr and Mrs Apple, Mr and Mrs Toadflax, Lord and Lady Woodmouse and, as of Summer Story, Poppy Eyebright and Dusty Dogwood.
- Identical Twin ID Tag: Triplet, but Poppy and Dusty's three babies are color coded: Pink for Rose, Yellow for Buttercup and Blue for Pipkin.
- Modest Royalty: Lord and Lady Woodmouse go against every aristocratic stereotype there is by being very active participants in the goings on in their little mouse community, and will usually get odd jobs done themselves instead of leaving it to the servants (Lady Daisy can be observed busying herself in the kitchen, for example). This break with tradition is also present in the Woodmouses parenting style: their daughter Primrose is neither spoiled nor sheltered, doesn't have any nannies or chaperones, and is free to run around with her friend Wilfred Toadflax as much as she pleases.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: "Dusty" Dogwood, who is constantly covered from head to tail in flour from working at the mill. He can't even escape it on his wedding day.
- Supreme Chef: Mrs Crustybread, the Woodmouse family's cook, is also in charge of catering at each and every social event in Brambly Hedge.
- Uptown Boy: Lord Woodmouse is... well, a lord, and is Happily Married to Lady Daisy Woodmouse née Apple, whose parents are the humble Mr and Mrs Apple.
- Wedding Episode: Dusty and Poppy get married in Summer Story.
- Winter Royals: Lord and Lady Woodmouse become these at the Winter Ball in Winter Story.
- Workplace Romance: Dusty and Poppy both work at the mill, which is where they meet and eventually fall in love.
The TV series provides examples of:
- Ascended Extra: The series seems a lot more focused on Wilfred and Primrose's shenanigans, and makes the both of them a lot more involved in subplots that didn't necessarily concern them in the books. Given that the series is more explicitely aimed at young children, one can easily understand why.
- Catchphrase: Wilfred loves to go on and on and on about how he is an intrepid explorer, to the point where it gets somewhat
annoying. - Companion Cube: Primrose has one of these, which is her stuffed bunny that she calls Bunny.
- Fearless Fool: Wilfred.
- Full-Name Ultimatum: Primrose will exasperatedly address Wilfred by his full name at least once an episode.
- Girls Have Cooties: Wilfred isn't quite old enough to be a He-Man Woman Hater just yet, and he clearly likes Primrose very much. But in Sea Story, he continuously doubts her abilities as a sailor because she isn't an "intrepid explorer" like him. He doesn't say "girl" but the implication is very present, extra points for Primrose levelling him with a Death Glare that causes him to fumble mid-sentence.
- He Who Must Not Be Seen: The Weasel, who is the main antagonist of the special Autumn Story.
- Puppy Love: Wilfred and Primrose, more so than in the books.
- Scenery Porn: The books are lovingly illustrated with a wealth of warm colors and background details, from lavish clothing to stocked cabinets. The television series also works hard to replicate this look.
- Woodland Creatures: The main characters, obviously.
