Bekonscot Model Railway in UK
Gauge One Layout and Miniature Villages in Buckinghamshire, England
Mar 27, 2008
Hidden in suburban Buckinghamshire, in Beaconsfield, is a charming model village and railway that has enthralled visitors for almost 80 years. Started as a hobby in 1929 by Roland Callingham, Bekonscot Model Village and Railway has since donated to charity and an equivalent of £4,000,000 (roughly US$8M) has been distributed so far. Bekonscot Model Railway, as expressed in the leaflet, prides itself for not being a “toytown trainset in a back garden but a supremely complex block-signalled Gauge One railway network connecting the five miniature towns, and working industries of Bekonscot Model Village.” Beaconsfield is just off the M40 and M25 motorways and minutes by car or train from Central London.
Imagine how Gulliver must have felt on the land of Lilliput! Even Princess Elizabeth, then the future Queen, visited this outdoor model garden railway at eight years old in 1934. This world-famous model village depicts England as it was in the 1930s. There is so much detail in the little villages in a 1 1/2 acre miniature landscape of farms, fields, castles, churches, woods and lakes. Like a giant among trains and buildings, take a stroll around the villages and you’ll find a fair, a zoo and a cricket field. The smallest Marks and Spencer shop in the world, house on fire, locks on the river and road work in progress are not to be missed. Seen from a photograph, all of these features look so real.
The Signalbox and Bekonscot Light Railway
The model railway is laid out in the historic Gauge One Line that has been popular since 1929. Arguably the ultimate trainset, a full-sized signalbox takes control of this Gauge One layout with ten scale miles of track, seven stations and often more than eight trains. Thousands of well-maintained alpine plants and dwarf conifers surround the working models such as the Coalmine, Windmills, Cablecars, Yacht Race and Tramway. The choir singing in church, the brass band, morris men and station announcer just make the atmosphere realistic.
The Bekonscot Light Railway is not to be missed. This extended 7 1/4” gauge runs during weekends, bank holidays and local school holidays.
Heaven for Children
Visiting this enchanting village is not about becoming a child again. The place caters to the whole family with so much to see and do, may you be a photographer, a model railway enthusiast, a gardener, and yes, it is indeed heaven for children.
Opening Times for 200810.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Bekonscot is open every day until 2nd November 2008.
Admission charges for the 2008 season (in pounds sterling and their estimated value in US dollars)
Adult - £7.00 or $14.00
Child (age 2-15 years) - £4.50 or $9.00
Conc. - £5.00 or $10.00
Family Tickets (2+2) - £21.00 or $42.00
Children under 2 years – FREE
Annual tickets (unlimited entrance to Bekonscot during normal opening hours - valid for one year from date of issue)
Adult - £42.00 or $84.00
Child (age 2-15 years) - £27 or $54.00
Conc. - £30.00 or $60.00
Family Tickets (2+2) - £129.00 or $258.00
To purchase an annual ticket, download the form here.
Save on admission if you come in groups:
Family ticket
Party rate (15 or more)
School parties, with educational packs available on request
Bekonscot also welcomes children’s parties at their log cabin (minimum of five; maximum of 18).
Contact Details
Bekonscot Model Village
Warwick Road
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2PL
England
Phone:01494 672919
Fax: 01494 675284
Website
For directions, special events, behind-the-scenes info, freebies, offers, books and DVDs about Bekonscot and many other details, click here.
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