Moorlander Best of 2025: Bagpuss, Dartmoor and a village scene frozen in time

As we begin the New Year and potentially nurse  a sore head from the night before, here at The Moorlander we are looking back for a final time on the stories that stirred memories as much as headlines, few captured hearts quite like this one.

In September, readers were delighted to discover that Bagpuss, one of Britain’s most cherished children’s television creations, has a deep-rooted connection to a small Dartmoor village, just as news broke of the character’s return to the big screen.

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Part nostalgia, part local history, the story quickly became one of the Moorlander’s most shared and talked-about features of 2025.

A Dartmoor scene millions know by heart

The familiar sepia image that opens every episode of Bagpuss, watched by generations since the 1970s, was taken in Horrabridge.

Looking up through the village with the bridge on the right, near the local shops and the road towards Plymouth, the photograph became one of the most recognisable opening sequences in British television history. 

For many viewers, it set the tone for a programme steeped in gentleness, imagination and quiet magic.

As for Horrabridge itself, it’s a reminder that even the smallest places can leave a lasting mark on popular culture.

The return of a childhood favourite

First broadcast in 1974, Bagpuss ran for just 13 episodes, yet went on to become one of the UK’s most enduring children’s programmes. 

The saggy old cloth cat, brought to life in a shop window, was joined by unforgettable companions including Professor Yaffle, Madeleine the rag doll and Gabriel the Toad.

In 2025, producers confirmed that Bagpuss will return in a new film planned for release in 2027, the first new production featuring the character in more than 50 years. 

The project promises a blend of live action and animation, with Bagpuss and his friends waking from their long sleep to explore the modern world, while remaining true to the spirit of the original series.

September’s announcement prompted a wave of nostalgia among readers, many of whom remembered watching the show as children, and some discovering for the first time its Devon connection.

Why the story struck a chord

There was something especially fitting about this story resonating so strongly in 2025. 

At a time when many people are seeking comfort in familiar things, Bagpuss’s message of kindness, care and imagination felt as relevant as ever.

For Dartmoor, and for Horrabridge in particular, it was also a moment of quiet pride, a reminder that the landscapes and villages of the moor have long inspired creativity far beyond their boundaries.

As one of the Moorlander’s Best of 2025 stories, it perfectly captured what readers love most: local places, hidden histories and the warm glow of shared memories.