A fascinating collection of photographs have come to light which chart the rise and fall of model villages, one of Britain’s lost eccentric tourist attractions.
In the early 1970s intricate model villages were a staple of many seaside towns up and down the country, with more than 60 attracting tourists from around the world.
The decline of the domestic holiday resorts led to a vast number of them to close down in the 1980s and 90s since they were no longer profitable.
The origins of the model village can be traced back to 7th century Japan when the Empress Suiko had a garden built with an artificial mountain depicting Mount Sumeru, the centre of the world in Hindu and Buddhist legends.
The first recorded model village in Britain was in Hampstead, north London, at the private home of Charles Paget Wade.
Keeping the tradition alive in Britain today is the iconic Bekonscot in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay and Legoland in Windsor.
Godshill on the Isle of Wight: The Model Village first opened to the public in 1952. The lower half of the garden contains models of Godshill village and All Saints Church sits proudly overlooking the other cottages and houses just like the real church up on the hill
Wimborne model town in Dorset is an exact replica of the town from the 1950’s. Built more than 60 years ago, the 1/10th scale models recreate the historic market town of Wimborne Minster exactly as it was during the 1950s, with the Butchers, Ironmongers, Bakery and Fishmongers, and interior of the Minster Church
Ramsgate in the 1980’s: The Ramsgate Model Village, known as Castlewolde, opened in 1953. It boats castle, bridges and rivers, Tudor style pub, planes, boats and a cricket field on Ramsgate’s West Cliff
1953 Coronation in Polegate, West Sussex: In the early 1970s intricate model villages were a staple of many seaside towns up and down the country, with more than 60 attracting tourists from around the world. The decline of the domestic holiday resorts led to a vast number of them to close down in the 1980s and 90s since they were no longer profitable
In a bid to preserve their memory, author Tim Dunn has documented the history of the tourist attractions in his new book, Model Villages.
A passionate collector with an interest in architecture, Charles Paget Wade created Fladbury around the edge of the garden in 1908.
The most famous model village in the country, Bekonscot, opened in 1929.
It was the brainchild of London accountant Roland Callingham who converted his spacious garden into a model village with 1,200ft of railway.
Up until 1992, Bekonscot was kept up to date, with all of the latest cars, trains and planes.
Then, the momentous decision was made to reverse it back to a 1930s time warp and the village has remained like this ever since.
In its proud 88 year history, about 16 million people from across the world have passed through the celebrated model village.
Another famous but ultimately short-lived model village was Tucktonia in Christchurch, Dorset.
The four acre site contained more than 200 models of famous British monuments including Stonehenge, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and Hadrian’s Wall.
The idea was it would allow visitors ‘to see Britain in a day’.
Author Tim Dunn at Bekonscott model village. He has documented the history of the tourist attractions in his new book, Model Villages. Mr Dunn, 36, from central London, says there has been a ‘resurgence’ in model villages in the past few years
Bekonscott in Buckinghamshire: The world’s oldest and original model village opened in 1929. It has a model railway, 1.5 acres of gardens and has raised over £5.5 million for charity with over 14 million visitors since 1929
Himley model village in the West Midlands: Himley Model Village opened in 1986 and was created by businessman Fred Blakemore who wanted a model village in the Black Country. He leased a walled garden at Himley Hall from Dudley Council but it closed its doors in 1993, just seven years after it opened
Bekonscot: Up until 1992, Bekonscot was kept up to date, with all of the latest cars, trains and planes. Then, the momentous decision was made to reverse it back to a 1930s time warp and the village has remained like this ever since
Southsea model village in 1971: It featured 40 miniature buildings, houses, forts and castles, as well as a `G’ scale garden railway, landscaped gardens inside the grounds of an old Victorian fort, a large scale electric garden railway, a 100ft-long rifleman’s tunnel, a scale model of Portsmouth Guildhall, a 10,000-gallon waterfall and stream, and a small toy museum
Bekonscott village in 1931: Mr Dunn said: ‘Twenty-five years ago I started working at Bekonscot as a Saturday job because I was obsessed with model trains’
Britains largest model village, Tucktonia near Christchurch in Dorset. Tucktonia was opened in 1976 by comedian Arthur Askey, and Tommy Cooper was another famous visitor. However, the park closed down in 1986 and became flats. The four acre site contained more than 200 models of famous British monuments including Stonehenge, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and Hadrian’s Wall
One of the most recent incarnations of the model village was found at street artist Banksy’s Dismaland, in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, a sinister twist on Disneyland which opened for 36 days in 2015
Model Villages, by Tim Dunn, is published by Amberley Books and costs £8.99
Tucktonia was opened in 1976 by comedian Arthur Askey, and Tommy Cooper was another famous visitor.
However, the park closed down in 1986 and became flats.
One of the most recent incarnations of the model village was found at street artist Banksy’s Dismaland, in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, a sinister twist on Disneyland which opened for 36 days in 2015.
New Bedford, which was created by ex-KLF member Jimmy Cauty, imagined a dark inner city scene complete with a hangman’s noose and spotlights, a far cry from the traditional upbeat model village.
Mr Dunn, 36, from central London, says there has been a ‘resurgence’ in model villages in the past few years.
Today, there are 35 model villages in Britain which are open for the public to enjoy.
Mr Dunn said: ‘Twenty-five years ago I started working at Bekonscot as a Saturday job because I was obsessed with model trains.
‘Through that I realised there were a lot of other model villages across the country which were shutting down and I wanted to try and document them before they disappeared.
‘They are amazing miniature worlds with so much detail and love, beautiful little utopias.
‘At their peak in the early 1970s there must have been 50 to 60 of them, many in the seaside towns, but as tourism trends changed and they stopped making money, or the owners died, many shut down in the 1980s and 1990s.
‘Thankfully, we are seeing a resurgence and we can still delight in their miniature marvels.’
Model Villages, by Tim Dunn, is published by Amberley Books and costs £8.99.