Bekonscot Model Village and Railway
Bekonscot Model Village is the oldest miniature village in the world
Bekonscot Model Village and Railway will delight visitors of all ages and is well worth the short trip out of London. It was the first attraction of its type in the world and has been visited by an incredible number of people.
Located a short train ride northwest of London in Beaconsfield, Bekonscot Model Village was the creation of local resident Roland Callingham in the 1920s. He drew up a plan and built it in his large back yard with the help of his household staff. It was originally just intended for the enjoyment of himself and his guests, however in the 1930s it caught the attention of the press and the public and soon began to draw a regular stream of visitors who were encouraged to make a donation for charity. This village became the inspiration of other miniature villages and parks throughout the world. While it now levies an admission charge, Bekonscot Village continues to use all of their profits to support charities both locally and around the world. It has been visited by over 14,000,000 people.
The site actually consists of six fictional villages in a miniature landscape that depicts England in the 1930s. In addition there is a very sophisticated Gauge 1 model railway covering a distance of 10 scale miles through the village. Some of the trains have been running for over 50 years. To get an idea of the detail and work that went into this model railway, not to mention the village itself, check out the video at the bottom of this page.
In addition to all of this there is the Bekonscot Light Railway that encircles the perimeter of the site and provides rides for visitors.
In spite of being a little ways out of London, this attraction is well worth the little extra time it takes to visit it.
They are open from mid February until the end of October.
For more information about Bekonscot Model Village including hours and charges visit their official website.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes, however, all of profits are donated to charity.Bekonscot Model Village Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Address: Warwick Rd, Beaconsfield HP9 2PL, UK
Phone: 01494 672919
Official Website: Bekonscot Model Village
Bekonscot Model Village Reviews
Rated
out of 5 Great day out for the whole family, including kids of all ages. My 8months old loved it. For this who like trains even bigger entertainment. It's also a good place to see all that England is about. Has everything, cable cars, churches, castles, hospitals. There's cafe and toilets and baby changing with toilet. Lots of space to.sit outside in the cafe. If you're quick it's an hour, 1.5h to see all. But there's also train ride and to see everything, I'd say 2-3hrs visit. No dogs allowed. There's parking on the street, 2hrs free Mon-Sat and church parking nearby. Staff not too welcoming but some very nice.
Katie - 3 weeks ago
Absolutely loved going here. Great place for powerchair's, though a couple of paths were quite steep, I managed it. The cafe was okay, we only had a hot drink so can't comment on the food. This was a really interesting place and the attention to detail was phenomenal. Easily spend a couple of hours here, maybe longer if you have children. Loved it!
Amy G - 2 months ago
Loved it! Thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. We went with our Son. He was visiting from Canada and had been recommended by friends .
Outstanding and lovingly created traditional British Village,work of art , so much attention to detail. A real nostalgic visit to days gone by.
darron welch - a month ago
This destination is a wonderful miniature recreation of many British landmarks, buildings, traditions, ways of life and general culture. This is the world's oldest model village. There are loads of details to see and we took a mini train ride around it to start off with. When you visit make sure to pay attention to various details and moving objects such as mini trains and other model rides.
Jason Grant - a month ago
There's a reason this place is as popular as it is despite being the oldest model village in the world. The love and effort put into the preservation and ongoing development by all those involved is so evident, and it's just as fun a time today as it has ever been.
Your visit can be backed up by a selection of food available at the tea room, from a biscuit or muffin all the way to burgers, chips and drinks. Prices are fair, though you will feel a bit of the whole family fancies an ice cream after, as the admittedly delicious desert is a little pricey, with our two double-scoop cones and one single spoon cone coming to just over £11.
Also available and included in the initial entry price, however, is a pretty fantastic looking play area, an indoor experience to shrink down to the inside of one of the model buildings and a 'quiet room' with books, pillows, a train set and some space out of the sun and crowds to recollect yourself and your kids.
Alex Babb - a month ago
Directions
Tube and National Rail Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
Bakerloo Line | Marylebone Station | 7 Minutes |
How to get to Bekonscot Model Village by Tube and National Rail
This journey is best taken from Marylebone Station to avoid train transfers, so make your way there and purchase a National Rail Ticket for the Chiltern Railways Line to Beaconsfield Rail Station and proceed to the platform indicated on your ticket. The travel time from Marylebone station takes either side of 30 minutes depending on the departure time.
When you arrive at Beaconsfield Rail Station walk west along the road in front of the station and then go right on Station Road. Continue walking north on Station Road which becomes Penn Road and then go right onto Warwick Road which is just past the round-a-bout. Look for the Bekonscot Model Village sign on your left as you walk along Warwick Road. Total walking time is between 6 and 7 minutes.
Use the National Rail Journey Planner to get details and departure times for you trip.
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Video
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