8 TV shows that only children from the 1970s will remember

Despite only running for 13 episodes, Bagpuss certainly made a mark on the children of the 1970s. Together with Emily and her shop of found things, Bagpuss and his friends examine each new object that comes through the doors. 

The marvellous mechanical mouse organ is surely a fan favourite, accompanied by Charlie Mouse in his trademark striped pyjamas, while Professor Yaffle and Madeleine the Rag Doll bring some much needed order to their music-filled shenanigans. Its trademark tune and musical storytelling are sure to bring a sense of calm, and a flood of memories, back to any Seventies child.

Rainbow may have run until 1992 but it owes its success to its debut 20 years earlier. The BAFTA winning series (and two-time nominee) starred well-behaved Bungle, gentle George and the appropriately-named Zippy. 

Rainbow’s iconic host, Geoffrey Hayes took over from David Cook in 1974 bringing viewers a winning combination of stories, song and conflicts within the Rainbow House. Music by a three-piece band rounded out the show, originally made up of Charlie Dore, Julian Littman and Karl Johnson, though fans may better remember the 1981 trio Rod, Jane and Freddy. One look at that lovable bear and you’ll be sat cross-legged too close to the TV screen all over again.

It’s not just Bagpuss that brought a bit of magic to the world of toys. Pipkins was originally named Inigo Pipkins after the puppet-maker played by George Woodbridge in the lead role, though the star sadly passed away during the filming of the second season. 

The series follows a craftsman who creates his toys with the help of a shop full of animals and his assistant Wayne, with regular appearances from moody Hartley the Hare, Topov the Monkey and ever-inventive Pig. While the puppets, particularly Hartley, have something of an eerie air to them, The Help People crew will gladly assist you in gathering up those happy childhood memories.

What’s woolly, pink and lives on the moon? Clangers, of course! These rat-like creatures merrily whistle their way through the day, existing on a curious diet of green soup from the Soup Dragon and blue string pudding. The Clangers originated as side characters in a book series based on the popular show Noggin the Nog, guest starring in Noggin and the Moonmouse. 

These Moonmice were transformed into the Clangers we know and love today. The sounds of their musical planet ranged from Music Trees bearing music note fruit to the trademark clang of their dustbin lid burrow covers will surely have Seventies kids whistling along.

Very loosely based on the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, a biographical series charting Wilder’s experience of growing up in the Wild West, the TV series gives viewers a taste of 19th-century American living. 

The nine-season TV show introduced a new audience to life in the American West and followed Wilder as she started a family of her own. Wilder’s first installment was published in the 1930s, a decade far removed from paisley and flares, but the universal themes of family life, illness and growing up made sure its move to TV was a hit. 

Despite just a two season run, culminating in 1974, The Adventures of Black Beauty focuses around widower Dr James Gordon and his children, who save and befriend the thoroughbred horse in the village of Five Oaks. 

Gordon’s daughter Vicky names him Black Beauty though there's little connection to Anna Sewell’s original story, except for something of Sewell’s harsher story in its first episode, The Fugitive. This crime-fighting stallion helped Gordon’s children through a series of trials, helping to stop each episode’s villain. For those children who dreamed of owning their own pony, the series fulfilled a shared fantasy through the kids’ on-screen antics and their watchful steed. 

Underground, overground, wombling free. The Wombles of Wimbledon made their TV debut in 1973 based on Elizabeth Beresford’s stories of creatures living below Wimbledon Common. These litter-picking, mole-like creatures acted as advocates for recycling, complementing a broader environmental awareness that was spreading during the decade. The author based these cuddly creatures on her own family members: Great Uncle Bulgaria was modelled on her father-in-law, Orinoco on her son, and Madame Cholet Coburg-Womble on her mother. 

The lovable family owes its invention to Beresford’s daughter, when her daughter Kate announced, “Ma, isn’t it great on Wombledon Common?” Two series, several top 10 hits, a stage show and a live action feature film in 1977 granted these green-thumbed creatures an impressive legacy. 

Another BAFTA winner on the list rounds out an impressive list of 1970s TV offerings. Our last installment looks back at Noel Edmonds and his three-hour Swap Shop block which allowed kids to call in, take part in competitions, swap toys and enjoy musical performances: Cliff Richard, Status Quo, The Wurzels and Suzi Quatro all appeared on the Saturday morning hit. 

Debuting in 1976, Keith Chegwin, John Craven and, two years later, Maggie Philbin joined Edmonds on hosting duty, complemented by Eric, the enigmatic technician, and Posh Paws the stuffed dinosaur for a fun-filled show and all-important Swaporama.