Bourton On The Water Model Village
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When I spent a few days with Lauren in the Cotswolds in January one of our first stops was Bourton On The Water. As well as being such a beautiful place to explore, it’s also home to the Bourton On The Water Model Village, which we just had to visit.
Where is Bourton On The Water Model Village?
Bourton On The Water Model Village is set just behind The Old New Inn pub, accessed through the car park. Entry to The Model Village gives guests 10% off meals at The Old New Inn.
What is Bourton On The Water Model Village?
The Bourton On The Water Model Village is a replica of Bourton On The Water, featuring homes, buildings and even people and animals. It is the only Model Village in the UK that features its own village in 1/9th scale, showing life as it was in the 1930’s when it was first built. Completed in 1940, the Model Village is now over 80 years old and has English Heritage Grade II Listed status – giving the attraction protection from any changes in the future.
The model village is created from local Cotswold stone by highly skilled craftsmen. It is a replica of the buildings that existed in Bourton-on-the-Water in the 1930s and shows how they are being used today as things like banks, shops and meeting halls.
Exploring Bourton On The Water Model Village
Lauren and I spent about an hour exploring the model village. It isn’t very big but does have quite a lot to look at! Just like the real village, there are lanes and roads between each row of buildings, letting you walk through the village and admire it from every direction – often getting low down to see in to the buildings through the windows.
We really enjoyed wandering around the village, admiring the river running through and seeing all the buildings from so many different viewpoints – especially the viewing platform at one side that lets you see the whole village in all its glory from above.
Exhibitions at Bourton-on-the-Water Model Village
As well as the main model village to explore, there’s also The Miniature Landscape Exhibition which showcases seven beautiful, historic English cottages created by miniature specialist John Constable, from Langport in Somerset.
For £1 extra you can also visit the Exhibition of Miniatures which is a display of miniature scenes and rooms created by over 100 talented English craftsmen and women. It’s an exhibition of traditional English life, from market trading to days spent in the classroom.
We really enjoyed visiting the Bourton On The Water Model Village. It isn’t a full day out but it is a lovely addition to a day in the Cotswolds and, giving how old and historic the site is, it’s well worth a visit.
The Bourton On The Water Model Village costs £3.75 for children and £4.75 for adults and they are open from 10am throughout the year, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. You can find out more over on their website.
