Visit the Model Village to discover a miniature version of Bourton-on-the-Water. This popular attraction is an authentic one-ninth representation of a traditional Cotswold village, characterized by grand stone buildings and walled gardens. The Model Village opened in 1937 and took 5 years and several local craftsmen to complete. It highlights the architecture of Bourton-on-the-Water in the 1930s in addition to the buildings’ present-day usages.
In this miniature world, every last detail has been meticulously thought out. Winding paths pass between the buildings, just as the streets do in the village itself. Gently flowing water depicts the River Windrush and is crossed by replicas of famous stone bridges. Spot notable landmarks such as a watermill and war memorial, in addition to bakeries, cafés, craft stores and pubs.
Look for superb models of the village’s two churches, Bourton-on-the-Water Baptist Church and St. Lawrence’s Church. Peek inside the windows to see intricately carved pews and hear the sounds of a choir singing.
Don’t miss the Miniature Landscape exhibition, a collection of seven cottages representative of rural homes in Great Britain. Among them are models of Thomas Hardy’s birthplace and the house in John Constable’s painting The Hay Wain. Also worth seeing is the Exhibition of Miniatures, a set of moving scenes created by over 100 miniaturist artists.
It’s not just the architecture that is impressive. The gardens have deciduous and evergreen trees, grassy lawns, greenhouses and furniture. There’s even a model of the entire model.
The village sits behind the Old New Inn pub and is located just outside Bourton-on-the-Water’s village centre. There is parking available, for a fee, on-site or in a lot 5-minutes’ walk to the south. Visit nearby attractions including Cotswold Birdland Park and Gardens and the Cotswold Motor Museum and Toy Collection.
The Model Village is open daily except Christmas Day and has an admission fee. Pay an additional fee for the Exhibition of Miniatures. Find full details on the attraction’s official website.
