Bekonscot Model Village and Railway

Bekonscot Model Village is the oldest miniature village in the world

Bekonscot Model Village is a Labour of Love
Bekonscot Model Village is a Labour of Love

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 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating We had fun exploring the little village. The details of each building are very impressive. They put so much work into it. It's so fascinating. Much better to go on a weekday, not crowded. My husband wished he and our son road the train, probably next time. Place is clean and organized.
Ehrika Adaya-Odtuhan - in the last week

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5 Star Rating We are frequent visitors to Bekonscot but every visit is different and we enjoy it even more. So much to see and do. There’s a good cafe and a great picnic area and play area for the kids. Even the car park lady, Sally, was helpful and so friendly. I came here as a child in 60’s, we brought our kids in 80’s/90’s and now we take our grandchildren.
L Thom - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Went there during half term and loved it. Thought that it would be small but there was so much to explore. The village was so detailed and well thought out. Cafe had a good selection of food for children and the playground was a lovely addition. The steam train was the icing on the cake. Definitely worth taking children
Sophia Vitoroulis - 5 months ago

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5 Star Rating From the moment we stepped into the village, we were transported into a miniature world that was both charming and meticulously detailed. My kids were absolutely fascinated by the tiny houses, bustling streets, and the intricate model railway that wound its way through the village. The attention to detail was incredible, with moving parts, lights, and even tiny people going about their daily lives. One of the highlights for my kids was the funfair section, complete with a miniature Ferris wheel and carousel. They also loved watching the model trains chugging along the tracks, and we spent a good amount of time following the trains and spotting all the little scenes set up around the village. My wife and I appreciated the historical aspect of Bekonscot, which showcases life in England during the 1930s. It was like stepping back in time, and we enjoyed pointing out the differences and similarities to our kids. The village is beautifully maintained, and there are plenty of benches and picnic areas where we could sit and enjoy the surroundings. The staff were friendly and helpful, making our visit even more pleasant. We also enjoyed a lovely lunch at the on-site café, which had a good selection of food that catered to both adults and children. Overall, Bekonscot Model Village exceeded our expectations. It was a delightful experience that offered something for everyone in the family. We left with big smiles and a lot of wonderful memories. Highly recommended for families looking for a fun and educational day out! Marking as place to visit again... Forgot to mention free and ample parking space.
Nitesh N - 5 months ago

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4 Star Rating Not a long drive to this place from London. Quite small area with lots of detailed miniatures where it takes a whale of time to watch everything. The entrance is so small so little difficult to find. Parking is available on road for 2 hours free.. maximum takes 1 and half hour to watch everything. Lets round of 2 hours with snacks available at cafe inside. The highlight is the miniatures are motored and operational. Kids aged above 6 will enjoy.
Subash Kumar (Subz) - 7 months ago

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Directions

Tube and National Rail Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Bakerloo LineMarylebone Station7 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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