Babbacombe Model Village

Our new PEEK INSIDE the house is now on display indoors. Come along, be a ‘nosey neighbour’ and see what the little folk are up to indoors, including one or two familiar faces. Be aware though – you may see more than you bargained for.
https://www.model-village.co.uk

THE HISTORY & MAKING OF THE MODEL VILLAGE
PART 3 - The grand opening
The Model Village opened on the 11th April 1963. Attached you can see a copy of the original invite. Notice that it was called 'Merricombe Model Village' on its opening day, but was soon renamed to Babbacombe Model Village. Merricombe is a combination of the companies registered business name (Merrivale Torquay Limited) and Babbacombe.

LOCAL RESIDENT'S 20% DISCOUNT - AVAILABLE FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAYS
We offer 20% Admission discount, at the gate, for anyone permanently living at a TQ postcode. Available all day Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays (all year, except Dec 22nd & 23rd) and after 4.30pm on Thursday evenings (March 29th to October 18th). Bring proof of a TQ postcode address (i.e. utility bill etc.) and everyone in your party will receive the discount.
Full T&C's here: https://www.model-village.co.uk/faqs

Enchanting Illuminations - every Thursday Evening from April 11th to October 18th
The village is transformed in the evenings with thousands of miniature lights - we really do have two attractions in one! Thousands of miniature lights enable you to see what goes on inside many of the models and, as dusk develops into darkness, the illuminations beautifully light up the gardens and models creating an enchanting atmosphere.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/eve ning-illuminations

Gulliver returns to the Model Village – come and see a beautifully crafted recreation of one of the famous scenes from Gulliver’s Travels. On display every day, as part of our indoor exhibits.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/

Our newly planted wildflower garden is taking shape and should start to grow and mature over the coming months. Framed by a fabulous new flower mural and complete with our own 'Air Bee n Bee' residence, all skillfully created by the team at the model village. The residence is only taking bookings for bees though, not humans!

THE HISTORY & MAKING OF THE MODEL VILLAGE
PART 2 - How it all began...
Babbacombe, next to the Parish of St.Marychurch, has been attracting visitors, including members of the royal family, for many centuries. Merged into the borough of Torbay in 1900, it is one of the oldest parishes in the country and thought to have been founded around 690... A.D. There were other attractions in the area well before the Model Village. During the 1850’s the Victorians would visit the marble works in St. Marychurch Road.
Later the Pottery works also proved popular with visitors. Amongst the more noteworthy of visitors to the area were Oscar Wilde, Agatha Christie & Beatrix Potter.
The setting for this Model Village was already rich in local history, colour and of course natural beauty.
Following on from the creation of the Model Village in Southport, Tom Dobbins began discussions with the intention of establishing a Model Village in the Area. As there was nothing quite like it in 1961, the proposal received a great deal of local interest.
After very careful deliberation, the current position was chosen. The original site was little more than a natural valley or combe as it is known locally. The natural landscape of this part of South Devon has many such small valleys. It was in one of these in 1961 that the work on Babbacombe Model Village began.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/
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Kitten Kong returns!

FREE RETURN PHOTOPASS - ONE TICKET, TWO GREAT VISITS!
Keep your admission ticket and, before you leave, validate it in the gift shop to get a free PHOTO-PASS which will enable everyone in the photo to return once, for free, within 7 days.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/opening-p rices

Enchanting Illuminations - every Thursday Evening from April 11th to October 18th
The village is transformed in the evenings with thousands of miniature lights - we really do have two attractions in one! Thousands of miniature lights enable you to see what goes on inside many of the models and, as dusk develops into darkness, the illuminations beautifully light up the gardens and models creating an enchanting atmosphere.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/eve ning-illuminations

THE HISTORY & MAKING OF THE MODEL VILLAGE
PART I - The Founder
The Early Years Everything that you see is the... vision of one individual - Tom Dobbins. Set before you is the culmination of nearly fifty years experience in landscaping and model making.
One of three brothers, Tom Dobbins was born in 1917 in Southport, Lancashire. His career ambitions were interrupted by the Second World War. During the conflict, he saw service at Dunkirk and was later seriously wounded in North Africa. For this last exploit, he was decorated by His Majesty King George VI at Buckingham Palace.
During the post-war years, he embarked upon the realization of a dream, which was simply to build one of the finest Model Villages in the Country. His very first Village was a long way from Devon, opening in Southport, Lancashire in 1956.
Babbacombe Model Village opened to the public seven years later in 1963. It has been here that the imagination, humour and ingenuity of four decades has been poured.
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NEW FOR 2019 - The Lost World 4D Cinema Experience!
Showing now - Step into the immersive magic of cinema with our incredible 4D sensory experience. Imagine being drawn into an exciting world where everything you see is in 3D and everything you hear is in powerful cinema surround sound ─ with the added fun of ‘feeling’ the action too!
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/4d- theatre

Visiting with the family?.......Children love all the miniature characters and enjoy following the Where's Wally spotter sheet to see what they can find (pick up your free spotter on arrival).
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/a-m iniature-world

Where's Wally & Friends
Calling all Wally explorers, we need your help! Wally, Odlaw, Wenda, Woof & Wizard are hidden in our gardens and we need you to find them.
Are you up for the challenge? ...

Visit our Award Winning gardens - Torquay's most popular garden attraction!
We're famous for our miniature landscaped gardens, leading it to be branded as one of Europe's Premier Model Villages and one of Torquay's most beautiful gardens.
The gardens cover nearly four acres and require on-going attention throughout the year by our team of professional gardeners.
... Whether a keen garden enthusiast or just a casual admirer, the beautiful landscaping never fails to impress our visitors.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/awa rd-winning-gardens
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Our new PEEK INSIDE the house is now on display indoors. Come along, be a ‘nosey neighbour’ and see what the little folk are up to indoors, including one or two familiar faces. Be aware though – you may see more than you bargained for.
https://www.model-village.co.uk

NEW FOR 2019 - The Lost World 4D Cinema Experience!
Showing now - Step into the immersive magic of cinema with our incredible 4D sensory experience. Imagine being drawn into an exciting world where everything you see is in 3D and everything you hear is in powerful cinema surround sound ─ with the added fun of ‘feeling’ the action too!
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/4d- theatre

Our Celebrity Mansion hosts various miniature film & music events throughout the year. Come and see who you can spot - Looks great during the day and even better in the evening during our weekly (every Thursday) evening illuminations.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/visit/new -for-2019