Step back in time to a 1930's idyll (Bekonscot Model Village (Beaconsfield ))

Member Name: azana

Product:	Bekonscot Model Village (Beaconsfield )
Date:	10/03/09 (174 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fun for everyone

Disadvantages: It is not a huge village - no modern attractions

Bekonscot Model Village is to be found at Beaconsfield, a short distance from Junction 2 of the M40, and is a truly magical place. It is in fact the World's oldest Model village, celebrating 80 years of existing in 2009. It is a place that I have visited with my children many times at various stages of their childhood, and each time we go both they and I find something new to look at, and spot a new miniature person or house. What is refreshing about this village is that it is a little step back in time with no concessions to the modern age, the village is set in the 1930's, if it is not how England was then perhaps it is how it should have been. The village is not a corporate money making exercise - all the profits go to charity,(administered by the Church Army) so again, a visitor attraction with a difference.

Getting there:

Full details can be found on the Model village website - the satnav postcode is HP9 2PL and the village is 5 mins on foot from the station. When you arrive be sure to park in the free carpark opposite the village in the church grounds - perhaps blinded by having to negotiate Beaconsfield the first few times I went there I didn't realise there was a free carpark and stumped up for the pay and display.

Admission:

2009 rates are:

Adult £8.00
Child (age 2 - 15 yrs) £4.50
OAP, Students, Unemployed £5.00
Family Tickets (2+2) £23.00
Children under 2 yrs FREE

There are season tickets too, I reckon you could spend a half day here easily at child speed so it is good value.

What is there to see?

As already mentioned the village which was built mainly in the 1920's onwards by a Roland Callingham (an accountant with imagination it appears), and is steeped in that time. Some of the buildings are based on neighbouring Beaconsfield, whilst some are from the imagination of the creator - who was apparently aided by his "staff" in creating his utopian village.
The scale is 1:12 and there are six little villages all with various buildings and people and all beautifully constructed by hand. You wander around and everything is at child height - for us the absolute highlight is the maze of train track with trains running over bridges, to stations and through the streets of houses. The children love spotting the trains and other moving items in the little 1930's village such as the fairground, the coal pit with its moving conveyor belt and also the little port with moving boats. It is all very very charming and twee in the nicest possible way. When we go we enjoy spotting the animals in the zoo, looking at the little farms and seeing all the mini people. There are streams too with rather huge fish in them, it is all just lovely!
Apart from the village there is a small sit on train ride for an extra fee (£1 last time I went), and a small playground for the children with plenty of slides and things to climb on - not the most up to date of playgrounds but in keeping with the overall feel of the village!

Eating:

There is provision for picnics, indoor and out, we normally take a picnic and eat in a small covered area next to the train ride. The cafe serves pleasant and affordable fare.

Other:

There is a small shop in an old train carriage at the exit - this has reasonably priced souvenirs and toys in it - plenty of Thomas items for train fans.

Overall:

This is an excellent place to visit if you have children, it is open every day 10-5pm in high season, it does close for the Winter but is generally open for half term.
Check opening times before you go on http://www.bekonscot.com/
I think going to Bekonscot is really great fun - you can spend a surprising amount of time wandering around and marvelling at the craftmanship of the village. It really is a little attraction that is big on enjoyment - I thoroughly recommend it!

Summary: Bekonscot is a lovely place to visit and here is why....