Babbacombe Model Village facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Babbacombe Model Village |
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The Model Village, as seen in 2012
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| General information | |
| Type | Miniature Village |
| Address | Hampton Avenue Babbacombe Torquay Devon TQ1 3LA |
| Coordinates | 50°28′58″N 3°31′14″W / 50.482705°N 3.520458°W |
| Construction started | 1963 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
Babbacombe Model Village is a fantastic miniature village and railway. It's located in Babbacombe, a lovely spot in Torquay, Devon, England. Imagine a whole world shrunk down to tiny size!
This amazing model village first opened its doors in 1963. It was created by Tom and Ruth Dobbins. They had already opened another popular model village in Southport a few years earlier, in 1957.
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Exploring the Tiny World
The Babbacombe Model Village covers a large area, about 4 acres (1.6 hectares). That's like four football fields! Inside, you'll find over 400 tiny buildings and scenes. There's also a huge model train track, stretching over 1,000 feet (300 meters).
The village shows a fictional town, but many of its buildings are based on real places. You might spot famous UK landmarks, like the ancient Stonehenge or the super tall the Shard skyscraper. It's fun to see how many you can recognize!
Funny Names and Puns
As you explore, keep an eye out for some really funny names! Many of the shops and features have clever, humorous puns. For example, you might see "Marks and Sparks" or "Woolies." There's also "Amanda Lofe - Home Baked Bread & Cakes" and "A. Kingbody Sports Centre" (sounds like "aching body"). You might even find "Terry Bull Gardening Service," which is a play on "terrible." These little jokes make the village even more enjoyable.
What Else Can You See?
Beyond the main town, the village also features a cool model railway. You can watch the tiny trains chug along their tracks. There's also a detailed castle and a traditional windmill to discover.
Must-See Models
Some models at the village are extra popular with visitors. Make sure you look for these exciting displays:
- The burning house, which looks very dramatic.
- The famous Stonehenge in miniature.
- A tiny version of the Shard skyscraper.
- An indoor scene from the TV show EastEnders.
- A cool dragon castle that looks like it's from a fantasy story.
Babbacombe on TV
The Babbacombe Model Village has even been on television!
- In 2014, it appeared in an episode of Holiday of My Lifetime. This show featured Len Goodman and Matt Allwright.
- It was also shown on The One Show in the same year.
- More recently, in 2019, the model village was used as a filming location for the TV series Don’t Forget the Driver.
Magical Evening Illuminations
If you visit during the summer months, you're in for a special treat! The Babbacombe Model Village stays open until 10:30 PM on weeknights. When it gets dark, the entire village lights up with beautiful illuminations. The tiny buildings glow, and the atmosphere becomes truly magical. The miniature Shard in the center of the village also shines brightly.
