📍 Bourton-on-the-Water
The Model Village at Bourton
A one-ninth scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water, built in real Cotswold stone in 1937.
✦ We visited
Spotting the model of the model within the model is the best game, our kids loved finding the tiny version of themselves in scale. Cheap, quick and genuinely charming.
The Model Village at Bourton is a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water itself, built in genuine Cotswold stone and opened in 1937. It is a Grade II listed attraction and a delight for all ages, because you can walk among the tiny buildings, peer into miniature windows and even find the model of the model village inside it. The little River Windrush runs through, complete with tiny bridges.
The scale is just right for young children, who can stand taller than the buildings and explore at their own height. It is compact and quick to walk round, so it works as part of a wider day in Bourton rather than a full outing on its own. There is real craftsmanship in the detail, which keeps grown-ups interested too.
It suits everyone from babies to grandparents and is cheap, easy and charming. Combine it with Birdland, the motoring museum and a riverside picnic for a classic Cotswolds family day.
Good for: outdoors, history, sensory. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
Is the Model Village suitable for toddlers?
Yes, the one-ninth scale means toddlers can walk among and tower over the tiny buildings.
How big is the Model Village at Bourton?
It is a one-ninth scale replica of the whole of Bourton-on-the-Water, built in real Cotswold stone.
How long do you need at the Model Village?
Around half an hour to an hour, so it is best combined with other Bourton attractions.