There’s something about being a parent that inspires a nostalgic desire to revisit all those places that you remember from your childhood. Bekonscot Model Village is one of those places for me. I remember numerous trips there as a child and was really keen to take Max now he’s old enough to enjoy it.

Bekonscot is the oldest model village in the world and was opened in 1929. The village as a whole has a quaint 1930’s vibe to it, with a zoo, circus, harbour, cable car, and numerous trains which weave their way through the village.

 

 

There is a winding path which leads you round the village. It’s wide enough for a pushchair, although we left ours in the car and I was glad we did as we visited at the weekend and it was very busy! Max loved watching the miniature trains weaving their way around the park, and was keen to plough on ahead to see the next thing. There was plenty of detail and shop name puns to amuse the adults too, as well as little stories in each vignette. In fact, we ended up doing the circuit twice and there was plenty to see second time around too!

 

 

But the real highlight for Max was the ride-on steam train. This comes in at an additional cost of £1 per ride, with under two’s riding for free. The little train winds it’s way around a small track and has plenty of ‘waving’ opportunities for spectators. We both rode the train with him once, then we each took another turn so that we could wave from the sidelines!

 

 

We ate lunch in the cafe, which although fairly small, has a huge number of picnic tables available. There is also a children’s play area just by the picnic area, and a gift shop at the entrance with a huge range of train related souvenirs.

 

 

It definitely has a whiff of nostalgia about everything. There’s a quaint charm to all of the displays, and the village is deliberately ‘stuck’ in the 1930’s.

Bekonscot Model Village is a lovely family day out if you have young children. It’s a little pricey at £10 per adult, £6 for children (2-15), but under 2s are free and a family ticket costs £29 (2 adults, 2 children).

Information

Bekonscot Model Village,Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PL

Opening times: 10am - 5.30pm (closed over winter)

Prices: £10 adult, £6 children (2-15), under twos free, family ticket £29 (2 adults, 2 children)

Parking: There is limited free parking available, however St Teresa’s church opposite allows parking for customers of Bekonscot, and there is a small pay and display car park nearby too.