Located in Beaconsfield is the Beckonscot Model Village and Railway, which began when Roland Callingham’s indoor model railway had to be moved outside in 1928. From there it simply continued to grow, helped by his friends, staff, and some local school children.

This attraction opened to the public in 1929, becoming so popular that by 1932 a charity had been set up to provide for its maintenance and other charities. It was around the time of this charity forming that the opening hours also changed to allow entrance to more visitors.

Bekonscot was a large part of the WW2 propaganda as well! It was used to keep morale up, while portraying Allied warships shooting down Nazi aircraft.

Today, Beconscot Model Village is separated into different villages; Greenhaily, Southpool, New Town, Hanton, Spashyng, Evenlode and the titular Bekonscot Town. Each of these villages depicts a different aspect of living in England. Greenhaily and Hanton are small hamlets (very small villages); Bekonscot Town is a market town with a high street and town square; Southpool is a fishing village and Splashyng is the idyllic holiday location, both depicting life on the coast; Evenlode is a town straight out of the 1930s, with its funfair and mining village. Then there is New Town, which is the most recent addition, only having been opened in 2018, which has sights such as an underground station and Art Deco Factory.

The model village has aspects that appeal to visitors of all ages and from a wide range of locations. While younger audiences do need to be reminded that they can’t play with the models, they are entranced by the moving features, as well as the train that they are able to ride upon. For older visitors, the shop and location names can provide endless entertainment with well-crafted puns and combinations of two well-known locations.

It is remarkable the level of detail that is seen in the model village. Some of the buildings have glass panels for you to see inside or windows that are large enough for the same effect. An example of this that stands out for me is the cathedral, where you are able to witness a wedding and christening taking place at either end. There are also little signs around the village attached to the models, outlining the prices of certain attractions or what the villagers can expect to be showing in the cinemas, etc.

If you pay close attention and take your time moving around the location, you will be able to witness the moving displays. For example, the Funicular Railway in New Town which runs on water, and the Village Green in Evenlode.

As previously mentioned, Bekonscot was created around Callingham’s model railway, so it would be silly not to talk about it. The railway has come a long way since it was originally built by the Bassett-Lowke Model Railway Company to specification. Out of the ten trains that currently travel on these tracks, the oldest is the 1929 Bassett-Lowke 4-4-2 that was created at the same time as the railway. The Bekonscot Railway is probably the most reliable form of public transport, running every day of the week and always being on time! There are plenty of opportunities to view these trains as you explore the village with seven different stations around the various villages. If you look closely, you may even spot the drivers and some passengers!

There is so much to see and do here. We went around three times and were still finding new features! There will always be things that you miss first time around as there is just so much to see. You could happily spend hours wandering around this tranquil scene.