Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, Buckinghamshire
Details
Accessibility
Free car parking available on site. However, on busy days the car park marshals may direct visitors to alternative locations at varying distances from the model village. A map is available on their website with details.
The village is accessible for wheelchair users, with the exception of the raised walkway. There are three wheelchairs available for hire, without charge. Paths are paved, some gently undulating sections. Very limited railings for pedestrian support.
Assistance dogs are permitted.
Disability toilets on site.
Brief description
A model village and railway, capturing the essence of 1930s England, set in 1.5 acres of attractive gardens.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bekonscot
"Bekonscot in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, is the oldest original model village in the world.[1][2][3] It portrays aspects of England mostly dating from the 1930s.
Bekonscot was created in the 1920s by a Beaconsfield resident, Roland Callingham (1881–1961), and opened to the public on 4 August 1929. Callingham, an accountant, developed the master plan for his miniature empire as an addition to his large back garden, drawing in help from his staff: the gardener, cook, maid and chauffeur. Together they developed the model landscape portraying rural England at the time. The swimming pool became the first "sea" and the undulating rockeries were built up as hills. Bassett-Lowke, the large-scale model railway manufacturers, were commissioned to build an extensive Gauge 1 railway network for the project.[4] Callingham named the village Bekonscot after Beaconsfield and Ascot, where he had lived previously.
Bekonscot was not conceived as a commercial visitor attraction but as a plaything to entertain Callingham and his guests. It was only after 1930 that its existence became widely known, catching the imagination of the press and public alike. Frequent newsreels, such as Pathé, and international and national newspaper coverage, ensured a steady stream of visitors, all of whom were invited to make a donation to the Railway Benevolent Institution.
The site covers approximately 2 acres (1 hectare), of which just over half is a miniature 1:12 landscape. Buildings are constructed in natural materials, concrete, or dense foam board, and many are originals from the 1920s.
Bekonscot has been run by the Church Army since 1978 and donates large amounts of money to charity. It has raised the equivalent of almost £5,000,000 and has been visited by more than 14,000,000 people.
Bekonscot is acknowledged to be the inspiration for many other model villages and miniature parks across the world, including Babbacombe, Cockington Green Gardens, Southport, Tucktonia, Madurodam, Bourton-on-the-Water, Wimborne, Great Yarmouth, Clonakilty and Mini-Europe. As such, it is regarded as the "grandfather" of the model village and miniature park movement.[5]
The village expanded in size throughout the first half of the 20th century. Callingham sold off much of the land surrounding the model village, all of which is now a housing estate.[5] The village is now entirely surrounded by urban development so further expansion is impossible.
Bekonscot popularised the miniature park movement, put Beaconsfield on the map, and has a continuing financial legacy in donations to charitable organisations both national and local.[5]
Bekonscot's Gauge 1 [approximately 1:32 scale (roughly 10 mm = 1 foot)] outdoor model railway is among the largest public garden railways in the UK, at ten scale miles.[4] A custom-built PC-based interface controls the block signalling system, directing up to 12 trains at any one time on prototype routes. In addition there are two manual lever frames, one ex-British Railways (BR) and the other from London Underground. The BR lever frame is still in use as a manual override for the trains. Some original Bassett-Lowke stock from the 1930s is still in daily use, albeit with new running gear. Locomotives include several tank engines, a freelance 4-6-0 tender loco, GWR railmotor, pannier tanks, SR 2BIL EMU, plus assorted others. Many of these trains have significant historical value. Some have been running for over 50 years, each covering about 2,000 miles (3,200 km) per year.[6]
A miniature railway known as the Bekonscot Light Railway, providing for passenger rides, was built along the perimeter of the site in 2001. Of 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge, it was extended in 2004 to a new terminus. Three battery-electric locos haul trains: one a Bo-Bo tram, one a Bo-Bo diesel shunter and one a large 0-4-0 built by Maxitrak. The latter was named "Sprocket" in 2004, the third birthday of the railway and the 75th of the original model village. The two Bo-Bo locomotives were designed and built by the in-house engineering department. Visiting locomotives have included a Maxitrak Opal 0-4-2 tank engine, a County Donegal railbus and a Mardyke InterCity 125."
Address
Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PL
Phone
01494 672919
Website
Directions
The model village is signposted from the motorway - look out for the brown signs.
- Take A40 to Beaconsfield Old Town.
- Take A355 towards Amersham, passing over railway line.
- Turn left into Ledborough Lane.
- At end, turn left into Beaconsfield New Town.
- After 100 yards, turn left again into Warwick Road. Bekonscot’s free parking is 200 yards on right behind St Teresa’s Church.
Grid reference: OS SO 939913
Opening Times
10am to 5pm
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change.
Transport
Nearest train station: Beaconsfield.
Amenities
There is a cafe/restaurant on site, and a gift Shop.
Beaconsfield is the nearest town to Bekonscot Model Village, with a range of restaurants and a small number of shops.
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
Beaconsfield Tennis Centre, Buckinghamshire
365 metres*
1,254 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.