Hillside Farm, the farmhouse where the beloved children's television series Bagpuss was created and filmed, has been listed for sale at £1.2 million. The property, located in Blean, near Canterbury, was the family home of the late illustrator, artist, and puppeteer Peter Firmin, who co-created the iconic pink-and-white cloth cat with writer Oliver Postgate.
Firmin's family played a role in the show's production; his wife Joan assisted with props, and their daughter Emily was the model for the character Emily. The farmhouse itself, a four-bedroom property, sits on approximately 6.12 acres of gardens and grounds. It is described by estate agents Finn's as a 'truly special and historic country estate.'
It was within the grounds of Hillside Farm, in a disused cow shed, that Firmin and Postgate brought Bagpuss to life through their production company, Smallfilms. The company was also responsible for other cherished children's programs, including The Clangers, Ivor the Engine, and Noggin the Nog. Only 13 episodes of Bagpuss were produced, with the show first airing in 1974 and subsequently repeated until 1986. In 1999, a BBC poll named it the most popular children's show of all time.
Postgate died in 2008, and Firmin passed away 10 years later. The farmhouse retains original features such as fireplaces, tiled floors, picture rails, and internal doors. A notable feature is the large oak-framed, vaulted first-floor sitting room. The estate also includes a detached Kentish barn, traditional stables, and a brick-built workshop, all surrounded by mature gardens, woodland, paddocks, and a large pond.
Estate agents Finn's suggest that the barn may offer potential for conversion, subject to planning permission, and parts of the land could present future development opportunities. However, prospective purchasers should be aware that a portion of the land is subject to an overage agreement, which typically involves an additional payment triggered by property development.
Despite its rural setting, the property is located less than two miles from Canterbury city centre and is close to local schools and the University of Kent. The sale coincides with a resurgence of interest in Bagpuss, with a new feature film blending live-action and animation currently in development for a 2027 release. The original 50-year-old puppet is also on display at Canterbury's Beaney House of Art and Knowledge. Hillside Farm is being sold with no onward chain.
