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Babbacombe Model Village

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Babbacombe Model Village
The Model Village, as seen in 2012
Babbacombe Model Village is located in Devon
Babbacombe Model Village
Location within Devon
General information
TypeMiniature Village
AddressHampton Avenue
Babbacombe
Torquay
Devon
TQ1 3LA
Construction started1963
Technical details
Floor area4 acres (1.6 ha)
Website
Official Website

Babbacombe Model Village is a miniature village and railway located in Babbacombe in Torquay, Devon.

The model village was opened in 1963 by Tom Dobbins.[1][2] Mr Dobbins had previously opened another model village at Southport in 1957.

Miniature landscape

The Model Village

The site is set on approximately 4 acres (1.6 ha). There are over 400 models along with 1,000 ft (300 m) of model train track in the village. The model village is primarily one town, an entirely fictional one, but many buildings within them are based on UK prototypes and landmarks (including Stonehenge and The Shard).

Names of shops and other features include humorous puns, such as Amanda Lofe - Home Baked Bread & Cakes, Ivor Faggot Butcher ('I've a faggot' - a reference to the traditional British meat dish), A. Kingbody Sports Centre ('Aching Body') and Terry Bull Gardening Service, Decorators ('Terrible').

Some of the popular models at the village include The Burning House, Stonehenge, The Shard, the EastEnders indoor scene and the Dragon Castle.

Illuminations

In summer months, the Babbacombe Model Village is open until 10.30pm, weeknights with the village illuminations switched on. The Shard in the centre of the village is also lit up.[3]

References

  1. ^ Barber, Chips (2005). devon's wild and wicked weather. Obelisk Publications. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-903585-52-8.
  2. ^ "The bard of Exeter does a banksy with mini-druids". Western Daily Press. Europe Intellence Wire. 11 November 2005. (Access My Library)
  3. ^ http://www.babbacombemodelvillage.co.uk/illuminations-shard