Seasons & episodes

The Wind in the Willows is a 1983 79-minute film by the studio Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and aired on the ITV network. The movie is based on Kenneth Grahame's classic story The Wind in the Willows. It won a BAFTA award and an international Emmy award. Subsequently the studio made a 52 episodes series, The Wind in the Willows based on characters from the Wind in the Willows between 1984 and 1990. Stone Roses guitarist John Squire worked on this series for Cosgrove Hall. Voice actors on this adaptation included David Jason, Ian Carmichael and Michael Hordern.

The Chief Weasel discovers that Toad has a double: an actor, impersonator and con artist (in short, someone after his own heart) called Isambard Bilbone Toad. Together, they form a plan which involves the kidnapping of the real Toad and the acquisition of Toad Hall, all without the riverbankers noticing. Once this is done, Isambard continues to play the rôle of Toad in public, having perfected his voice and mannerisms. However, Badger, Rat and Mole cannot help noticing some slight oddities about their friend, particularly when he spreads slanderous remarks that the three have supposedly made about each other. Then, as if that were not strange enough, Toad breaks off his friendship with them, in favour of the weasels who are now sharing the Hall. Eventually, Badger’s keen observation leads them to realise the truth, and they must now rescue the real Toad before the weasels put an even more audacious plan into action…

S1 · E1The Further Adventures of Toad 1984-04-27 · 20 min＋

After having overthrown the Weasels in the battle of Toad Hall, Toad hosts a celebration dinner for his friends. He reminisces about his time in prison, escape from jail, his exploits with the barge woman, etc. His friends are less than impressed with how he handled some of the situations, but Toad gets offended when they tell him so.

S1 · E2The Kidnapping of Toad 1984-06-04 · 20 min＋

Invited to the weasels' den for a 'literary evening', Toad is taken prisoner and a ransom demanded. Badger has no intention of paying for his return, but Toad's incessant chatter drives the weasels to distraction, so they play a final trick on him before letting him go free.

S1 · E3The Ghost at Mole End 1984-06-11 · 20 min＋

Mole hears sounds which he cannot account for. It leads him to fear that there might be a ghost in his house. Eventually, though, he discovers that the sounds are produced by a hedgehog which has fallen into a crevice immediately above his burrow. With the help of rat, he saves the animal.

S1 · E4The Great Steamer 1984-06-18 · 20 min＋

The weasels buy the part of the Wild Wood upon which stands the entrance to Badger's home. They order Badger to vacate the property. When Badger takes the weasels to court, the judge decides in their favour, as the weasels' deed to the property appears to be valid. It is mole who saves the day when he discovers a Roman document signed by Julius Caesar which conveys the ownership of the area that is now the Wild Wood to the badgers and their descendants. With this document in hand, Badger is able to chase the weasels away only minutes before they take permanent possession of his burrow.

S1 · E5Buried Treasure 1984-05-25 · 20 min＋

Mole's cousin, a famous literary figure called Auberon Mole, comes to stay after being invited by Toad to a 'literary soiree.' Mole's friends deem his dwelling and appearance too humble for the famous guest, and 'try to give him a little bit of style'. Toad and Ratty redecorate Mole's house, and Badger sets out to teach Mole a smattering of Latin and Shakespearean drama. Eventually Mole decides to resist the attempts to have him present himself as someone he is not. Auberon and Mole have a lovely time, and the others are somewhat ashamed of their earlier actions.

S1 · E6Mole's Cousin 1984-06-01 · 20 min＋

Mole's cousin, a famous literary figure called Auberon Mole, comes to stay after being invited by Toad to a 'literary soiree.' Mole's friends deem his dwelling and appearance too humble for the famous guest, and 'try to give him a little bit of style'. Toad and Ratty redecorate Mole's house, and Badger sets out to teach Mole a smattering of Latin and Shakespearean drama. Eventually Mole decides to resist the attempts to have him present himself as someone he is not. Auberon and Mole have a lovely time, and the others are somewhat ashamed of their earlier actions.

S1 · E7The Grand Annual Show 1984-11-09 · 20 min＋

Mole's jam, Rat's walnut cake, Badger's pickled walnuts, and Toad's 'homemade' elderflower wine all compete to be best in show. The weasels also have an abnormally large pumpkin. But two competitors aren't playing fair...

S1 · E8The Open Road Again 1984-11-16 · 20 min＋

On a Toad inspired hiking trip attended by Mole and Ratty, the trio soon bump into an old friend - Alfred the horse who once pulled Toad's caravan. Tired of the ghastly 3 quarters of a mile journey thus far, Toad leads the way to the derelict caravan full of desire to hit "the open road again". In no time at all, Toad is off on another craze astride his new Dersey-Patterson bicycle.

S1 · E9Wayfarers All 1984-11-23 · 20 min＋

Based on chapter 9 of the original book. The Rat is visited by a seafarer, who captivates him with stories of his travels, and entices him to journey south, to embark on a ship bound for Constantinople. Mole and Toad must catch him before he leaves the River Bank behind forever.

S1 · E10The Weasels Trap 1984-11-30 · 20 min＋

After Badger interrupts the Chief Weasel's attempts to rob Billy Rabbit in the Wild Wood, the angry Chief plots his revenge. When his henchman stumbles upon an old hunter's trap, he sees what seems to be the perfect opportunity. However, despite the Chief setting everything up, things go horribly wrong when the henchman tries to relocate the trap.

S1 · E11Burglary at Toad Hall 1984-12-07 · 20 min＋

Toad opens Toad Hall to the public in order to (modestly) show of his many family heirlooms. But the weasels have a dastardly plan to sabotage his efforts. All Toads possessions begin to disappear, causing him terrible embarrassment. Fortunately, Badger is on hand to save the day.

S1 · E12The Piper at the Gates of Dawn 1984-12-14 · 20 min＋

Another dramatisation of an episode from Kenneth Grahame’s book (chapter 7). Portly, Otter's young son, goes missing. He has picked the worst possible time – there are otter-hunters on the prowl. Ratty and Mole set out on a mission to find him, and in the process have a supernatural encounter with the god Pan- a statue under which Portly, who has also encountered him, is found sleeping.

S1 · E13The Yuletide Entertainment 1984-12-24 · 20 min＋

The riverbank residents are organising a fun gathering where they show off their singing, dancing and instrument-playing talents: Otter on the piano; Rat playing accordion and singing Uptails All; Badger's slideshow journey across the world. The pièce de résistance (Toad singing excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan) suffers a setback when he swallows his fake moustache just before coming on. Mole, who had not intended to appear in the show, is drafted in at the last minute to sing. The episode finishes with a lovely choir song: “Joy Shall be Yours in the Morning”. Sadly, Toad finally manages to cough up his moustache just as the guests are saying their goodnights.

S2 · E1Winter Sports 1985-12-24 · 20 min＋

One night, Toad senses that it is growing colder and realises that it is snowing. He immediately develops a passion for the Winter Sports, and invites all his friends to join in. While Badger, Rat and Mole supervise the children's competitions, a thrilling downhill race is organised - the weasels on their bobsleigh vs. Toad on his skis. The weasels naturally decide to cheat, but the day still ends well, even for the unfortunate Toad.

S2 · E2Toad, Photographer Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

Toad decides to commission a photograph of himself to put on the wall at Toad Hall, and who better to take it than Toad himself?

S2 · E3The Rescue Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

A young shrew has gone missing in the snow. Rat, Mole and Toad set off to track him down, but will they be in time?

S2 · E4Bankruptcy Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

Toad’s new found passion for high-finance soon lands him in trouble, and Toad Hall itself is threatened.

S2 · E5The Storm Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

One wild and stormy day, everyone turns up at Badger’s to celebrate his birthday – but Rat is missing!

S2 · E6Patient: Toad Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

Toad is suffering from a bad cold, but when Rat and Mole arrive, they fear it could be something more serious.

S2 · E7The Labyrinth Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

On his way to visit Badger, Ratty stumbles down a hole in the Wild Wood. Injured, he wanders the labyrinth of tunnels while Toad, dressed as Sherlock Holmes, tries to track him down.

S2 · E8Harvest Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

Badger, Rat, Mole and Toad set off on a fruit-picking expedition, but before long, the Weasels are up to their usual tricks.

S2 · E9Auberon's Return Air date unannounced · 20 min＋

Mole’s cousin, Auberon, arrives at Mole End looking for some peace and quiet, but Mole’s friends have other ideas.