Wimborne Model Town facts for kids
Wimborne Model Town is a special place in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England. It is one of the biggest and oldest model towns in the country. This amazing model shows you what the real town of Wimborne looked like in the 1950s. It gives you a peek into how a small market town in the English countryside used to be.
The model is made from concrete and is built at a 1/10 scale. This means everything is ten times smaller than in real life. It has 120 tiny buildings, including 108 shop fronts. There is even a 15-foot (5-meter) tall model of the famous Minster church. The tiny shop windows show exactly what goods were sold in those shops right after World War II.
Contents
History of Wimborne Model Town
The Wimborne Model Town was first built near the real Wimborne Minster church. Over time, it started to look a bit old and worn out in the 1980s.
Saving the Model Town
A group of helpful volunteers decided to save the model town. They started a charity and were given a piece of land about 1 acre (0.4 hectare) in size. This land was off King Street and was part of the Green Belt. Green Belt land is usually protected from new buildings.
However, the local planners thought keeping the model town was very important for the town. They called it a 'special circumstance'. This allowed the volunteers to move and restore the attraction.
New Additions and Features
Since then, the model town has grown. The council has allowed more buildings to be put up. These include temporary classrooms, a visitors' centre, a cafe, a gift shop, and toilets. There are also play cabins for children in the play area.
In recent years, even more fun things have been added. One popular addition is a model railway based on the famous Thomas the Tank Engine stories. Christopher Awdry, whose father created Thomas the Tank Engine, helped open this railway.
Visiting the Model Town Today
Today, the Wimborne Model Town is still run by dedicated volunteers. Thousands of people visit it every year. It's a great place to learn about history and see a miniature version of a charming English town.
Gallery
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High Street
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Post office on East Street
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Clock Corner
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Wimborne Minster from the north
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Church Street
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Woolworths sell big boys' toys
 | Selma Burke |
 | Pauline Powell Burns |
 | Frederick J. Brown |
 | Robert Blackburn |
