The Phoenix and the Carpet is an eight-part British miniseries based on E. Nesbit's 1904 fantasy novel of the same name. Produced by the BBC, it aired from 29 December 1976 to 16 February 1977. Four Edwardian children find a strange egg in their newly-arrived Persian carpet. It hatches into a Phoenix bird that grants wishes and also transforms the rug into a magic carpet, which takes them on a series of adventures all over the world and at home.

In 1945, the Carlions assemble at an English country house for a family gathering. During the event, they must determine who is to take over the family brewing empire, since the present head of the business, Sir Frederick, is getting old. The results of the 1945 general election causes a major stir, and some angry farmers occupy a barn.