Why we love MODEL VILLAGES

For an enchanting day out, these tiny replicas of real places have a charm all of their own

- ANDREW SHAW

At one time, a visit to a model village was as much a part of the classic British holiday as donkey rides on the beach. The craze for these dinky dioramas took off in the 1930s, when they began popping up all over the country, but when westarted jetting off to the sun in the 1960s, their popularity flagged. Now, they are once again attracting visitors. And with our lives having been so restricted of late, perhaps these representations of perfect little worlds hold an even greater appeal. Here are six of the best…

Godshill Isle of Wight

Offering a magical opportunity to step back in time, the models represent the village of Godshill and the nearby town of Shanklin in the 1930s – the real houses of which have been recreated to one-tenth scale. Tiny thatched cottages, pubs, churches and beach huts are populated with charming characters, in a setting that is also an RHS Partner Garden. So the green-fingered will delight in the stunning collection of over 3,000 real trees and shrubs that create the perfect backdrop for the buildings. ✣ Adults, £5.95; children (3-16), £5.25; modelvillagegodshill.co.uk

Bekonscot

Buckinghamshire