There's something for everybody!
Where fun and learning go hand in hand.
Like Gulliver, you can wander the 1950s streets of Wimborne. Peer down into the Butchers, the Ironmongers, the Bakery and the Fishmongers. Let the shop window displays show how much everyday life has changed in the last 70 years.
Set in our beautiful, manicured gardens, the miniature streets of Wimborne feature over 100 shops, banks and cafés. There is even a river system, two sets of public toilets and a ringing phone box. Other outdoor attractions include a Sensory Garden, the newly installed Model of the Model Town and Wendy Street where little ones can be left to be entertained and have a wonderful time.
When you feel the need to have a rest, why not grab a cuppa with some delicious home made cake before checking out some of our indoor exhibits and activities.
Say hello to the Wareham Bears, marvel at Beryl Dade Dolls House Collection or check what toy life was like before lego.
You can also be a Model Town Train Driver at our fantastic Model Railway layout. Featuring hot air balloons, a cricket pitch, town square and even a Milkshake Train line, it has it all. Thomas runs most days and souvenir of him and his friends can be found in our Gift Shop which has a great range of curios to remember your visit by.
7 Amazing Reasons to visit Model Town!
The Model Railway
Engine drivers of all ages will enjoy our 00 gauge model railway diorama. Built and developed by our team of dedicated volunteers, the multi track layout runs with motion sensor controls and features main line, branch line and Underground line running. The layout has a night time lighting sequence. With an ever changing line up of motive power and stock, Thomas is on duty most days. Look out too for the cliff railway, cable car and the Milkshake Train line.
The Beryl Dade Dolls' Houses
The Beryl Dade Dolls' Houses are located in the main visitor building. Beryl collected and refurbished dolls' houses for very many years providing each with illumination, new decoration, fixtures and fittings and characters. She has developed a theme and a storyline for each miniature dwelling from teddy bears, to tea shops, restaurants and shops. Thanks to her generousity the little homes can now be enjoyed by the thousands of visitors to Wimborne Model Town.
The Wareham Bears
The Wareham Bears can now come out to play and can be found in our Lady Hanham Building. The bears were originally displayed by Mary Hildesley in Wareham during the 1980s. More recently they spent some happy times at The Blue Pool but have now found a permanent home with us at Model Town. Set in delightful dioramas, our new furry friends can be seen: Relaxing at Home, Playing Rugby, Making Beer, Shopping and many other bearful activities.
Life Before Lego
Welcome to our new exhibition area where the story of British building toys history awaits to be uncovered,recalling names such as Bayko, Kiddikraft and Minibrix all used by smaller hands before Lego arrived on the scene. The scale dioramas of town and country landscapes featuring classic model cars, trains and buildings from yesteryear are a feast for those with long memories and a reminder of what used to be in the toy cupboard.
1950s School & Shop
Located in the Lady Hanham Building, it's back to the classroom of nearly 70 years ago with desks, blackboad and books. You can also find out what you could buy in 1950’s Wimborne shops and remember old money and weighing goods in lbs and ozs?
Crazy Golf
Test your skills on our Crazy Golf course in the Bumble Bee Garden. Become a Champion, it's Great Fun and after you have totted up your scores on the official scorecard provided, you can enjoy our kitchen garden and it's vibrant and colourful borders.
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Model of the Model Town
Celebrating our 70th anniversary this year, our volunteers have been hard at work, not only preparing a new area on site that represents the position of the original Model Town when it opened in 1952, but also painting the 1/00th scale mini models produced by Cobnut3D which will feature in it.
Of course a model of the Model Town will need to have its own even tinier models - we've got that covered too!
