Bekonscot Model Village
I love miniature things and, as a child, was completely captivated by model villages. That fascination has not left me and so finding time to visit Bekonscot is always a pleasure! Established in 1929, it is the oldest original model village in the world and is wonderfully eccentric.
The ticket office and shop are located in an old train carriage, setting the scene for the whimsy within. It costs £14 for an adult and £9 per child, but there is so much to see and do that I feel this is money well spent! Bekonscot Light Railway, which carries passengers around the outside of the park, and some other activities like the remote control boats, carry an extra charge.
The village is made up of seven little towns, all capturing 1930s rural England and each with its own unique character, villagers and features. Model trains chunter their way round the site, usually followed by excited children (or adults!) as they stop at stations, go through tunnels and change tracks.
Everywhere you look there are tiny details to notice! Set in beautiful gardens, visitors wander along narrow paths edged with miniature wonders to admire. You can peek through windows, admire gardens- immerse yourself completely in the lives of the little people who live in this wonderful world!
Place names are often puns, adding humour for the grown-ups as well as their little ones. I really like ‘Humpit and Burnet’ the coal merchants! As the bells of the church ring out, you can peek in at the vicar holding the service inside. As well as the circling of the trains, other elements add movement and life to the scenes- a water wheel, cable cars, the fun fair- everything evocative of a quintessential England! Frozen in the 20s, there are a few awkward moments such as a fox hunting scene, but the fox cheekily sitting on the saddle behind of one of the hunters adds some humour!
You can look down on the whole location from a viewing platform or take a minute to have something to eat at the cafe. One thing which visitors should not miss is the model of Green Hedges, the home in Beaconsfield where Enid Blyton lived from 1938-1968.
