Jill Barklem Brambly Hedge

Jill Barklem   Brambly Hedge

Jill Barklem

In Phillip's Doulton sale ,Brambly 
Hedge characters fetched between £200 and £300 each, with Teasel raising the highest bidding.

Old Vole follows closely behind in popularity selling for £276 at the auction and currently on offer at one retailer for £295. Basil is valued at similar prices.

The Brambly Hedge stories of mice living amongst the brambles, streams and fields of the English countryside were created by Jill Barklem in 1980, reflecting the rural vistas Jill passed on her way to work from her home near Epping Forest to the City of London.

Jill Barklem

Shortly after her first four seasonal books were published, Royal Doulton produced Brambly Hedge table and gift ware which achieved record sales and became Royal Doulton's modern nursery tales success story, eventually consisting of 200 pieces.

In the mid 1980s production of character figures was started with Poppy Eyebright and Dusty Dogwood. The most sought after characters today are those produced between 1985 and 1993.

Jill Barklem

As well as those already mentioned, they include Mrs Toadflax, Mrs Crustybread, Catkin, Old Mrs Eyebright, Primrose entertains and Wilfred entertains. These command between £55 and £185 at mail order specialists.

Figures discontinued at the end 




of 1997 are available for around £25. Of the giftware, 


seasonal plates can be bought for £15, others such as The 


Discovery and Candlelight Supper are £60.

Following on from Doulton's success, Border Fine Arts

produced a number of resin P' Brambly Hedge figures and giftware, including a number of items featuring Poppies Babies such as a money box, water ball, bookends and picture frames. Since the range was discontinued last year, these are now valued at double their original price on the secondary market.

Jill Barklem

Most valuable are British made pieces which have green baize bases. Later pieces were made in China with white bases. Also rare are musical characters of Poppy Eye bright, Wilfred, Mrs Apple and Primrose, originally priced at £19.95 are now worth £65. The good news is that despite the passing of Doulton and Border Fine Arts pieces, Brambly Hedge items are still being produced by other manufacturers.

Perhaps the most interesting are the jointed, painted pewter figures by Hantel. The collection has started with Spring Story and others are to follow.

Jill Barklem

Other Brambly Hedge pieces have been produced by fM Dufactures under licence for other companies and sold by direct mail. For instance,  four Wedgwood plates were offered by MBI INC, and Lawleys By Post sold a Winter eve's enamel box.

For those wishing to decorate the nursery with jill barklem   Brambly Hedge, Rose & Hubble produce fabric featuring the characters and Country Decor have wall coverings and borders.