FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are the questions we are asked most frequently. If you cannot find an answer for your question then please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.

  • Accessibility and visiting with additional needs?

    The Model Village is built in a steep valley. For people with any mobility difficulties, wheelchair and mobility scooter users, it is important to allow plenty of time and bear in mind there are very steep slopes (gradients up to 1-in-4, 25%) entering and leaving the gardens, and you need to be certain this is manageable for you. It is important to read on for full details, photos and prices...

    Please Click here for FULL details.

  • Are dogs allowed in the Model Village?

    Yes, well behaved dogs are allowed, with some restrictions - 

    Dogs are welcome throughout the gardens (90-95% of the visit is outdoors).

    They cannot go into the indoor displays, (except for guide/assistance dogs) -  this includes the new mythical kingdom.  Customers will have to take it in turns to visit the indoor areas whilst someone looks after the dog outside in the gardens. 

    They strictly cannot go into the coffee shop, except for guide/assistance dogs  This is mostly due to its limited size and restricted space. We do have seating outdoors on the terrace with a few sheltered tables too.  This is a no exceptions rule, so if you are planning to use the coffee shop too we advise visiting us on a drier day!

    They must be kept on a short lead, stay on the pathways and you must stay with them the whole time.

    You must come prepared to pick up and clean up any doggy dos!

  • WILL THE WEATHER AFFECT MY VISIT?

    Without a doubt the village is mostly outdoors, set in beautiful gardens, and is best seen in drier weather.

    However, if the weather is showery we do have some indoor displays - Including our NEW amazing Mythical Kingdom which could easily pass 10-15 mins.

    Also indoors, we have our Movie Miniatures display, a Victorian Snowy Village scene, our Little Enders soap scene, along with information about our history and behind-the-scenes work!

    The Model Village expands down into a valley and, if it is wet and windy, it can be a bit sheltered from some of the weather.

    If visiting during illuminations, the lights can look much more atmospheric in dull/murky weather and, if it is wet, the reflections add a new angle.

    Weather Forecasts - check on the day and keep an open mind. Long range forecasts are usually inaccurate and it's quite common for Torquay to have better weather than even near-term forecasts suggest!

  • How long to allow - can we make it a full day out?

    TOP TIPS....

    The Model Village is set in 4 acres of beautiful gardens and much bigger than most first-time visitors anticipate.

    As a minImum you should allow 1.5 to 2 hours.  We recommend at least 2.5 hours.  Certainly allow 3 hours if including refreshments/food.

    Based on customer feedback, here's approx. how long people spend on site in the summer (% of visitors) -

    1.5 hours -  11%, 

    2 hours - 32%,

    2.5 hours - 25%,

    3 hours - 19%,

    more than 3 hours - 13%

    Note: the survey is carried out when exiting the gardens, before the shop and coffee shop, so may not include time taken for refreshments.

    MAKE THE MOST OF IT: As everything is in miniature and there are lots of puns, fun scenes and  'hidden' gems, along with animated displays at time intervals, a quick visit will certainly miss a lot. Allow time to take a slower pace and go around twice, you will have a greatly enhanced experience if you do!

    MAKE IT A FULL DAY OUT -

    The Model Village is set in the beautiful Babbacombe bay area. Within an easy 5 minute walking distance are the Babbacombe Downs with spectacular, not-to-be-missed, views.  There's the beautiful Oddicombe beach at the bottom of the cliffs (if it's a hot sunny day, why not spend some time on the beach and visit us!). Also, the famous Babbacombe theatre is at the other end of the downs.  The Babbacombe Cliff Railway is just 5 minutes walk from us, offers a unique experience taking you down to Oddicombe beach. There are also a wide variety of pubs and restaurants on the Downs, some suggestions here. There is also the pedestrianised St Marychurch shopping precinct with a range of individual shops, just 3 or 4 min walk the other way.

    Bygones Victorian Street & Museum offers a totally immersive step back in time and is just around the corner.

    All of these attractions/sights can be accessed from the same local authority car park as the Model Village, though there are smaller closer car parks (Princes street off the Downs, St Marychurch car park near Bygones and Chilcote close next to the shopping precinct). If you arrive early you may get free street parking on Higher Downs Road.

    NOTE: The above are just suggestions,  check individual websites for details and to make sure they are open.

     

     

  • Who is the Model Village suitable for?

    Our visitor profile is about 55% families with children and 45% adults only.

    Children enjoy the miniature scenes, animation and fun character hunt trails. Adults also enjoy the character hunts, but the gardens and detailed models, representing English life through the last 6 decades, offering a touch of nostalgia and some very English humour, have a special appeal.

  • Do you offer NHS/Blue Light Card discount?

    If you show your NHS or Bluelight card you will get 12% admission discount for your family/group.

    You can also use this against our booking discount rates, if you prebook.

    Please note, you cannot use this in conjuction with any other discounts, such as our Locals (if this discount applies to you, you will save more using this instead)

    You must ask for this as soon as you arrive, this cannot be applied once tickets have been purchased!

  • Best/quietest times to visit?

    Weather - wet days will always be the quietest days.   During the summer, hot sunny days are medium busy and the busiest days tend to be dry cloudier days.

    School holidays - these will always be the busiest periods by far. It tends to be busiest mid-week (Tue to Thu) and usually Fridays are the quietest day, followed by weekends.

    Day of week - outside schools holidays, days are pretty much even across the week, but Friday is nearly always the quietest day. During school holidays it is always busiest mid-week (Tue to Thu).

    Time of day - Generally10.30am to 1.00pm is the peak arrival time, most notable during school holidays (Halloween & Christmas events excluded).  Mornings are always significantly busier than afternoons. From about 1.30-2.00pm onwards it does get increasingly quieter.  This is a useful tip for summer school holidays. Keep an eye on latest entry times though, dont leave it too late and allow a couple of hours for your visit.

    Evenings - In the summer, when we are open later for illuminations, if you are not planning on visiting late for the lights, late afternoon into early evening, before the lights come on, it is usually very quiet.

  • Can we bring in a picnic?

    You are more than welcome to bring a packed-lunch.

    Large carry picnic boxes, with full spreads/layouts, along with BBQs & stoves etc. are not permitted.

    Please bring it in with you when you arrive. 

    They cannot be consumed in the coffee shop.

  • LOCAL RESIDENT DISCOUNT?

    LOCAL RESIDENT - 25% DISCOUNT

    We have a special discount for local residents - Get 25% off admission tickets. It is available any day to anyone permanently living in a TQ, PL or EX postcode.

    How it Works (T&Cs) - You need to ask on arrival and show proof of permanent TQ, EX or PL address (i.e utility bill, driving license etc.), everyone in your group/family will get the discount. Valid against full gate prices.  NOT VALID in conjunction with any other discounts or pre-booking discount.

    There is no need to pre-book your visit!

    IMPORTANT: To avoid confusing the vast majority of our visitors who are not local residents, our admissions staff do not ask customers if they are local - You must ask on arrival for this special discount. This cannot be applied after your visit. 

    Note that we only take card payments on-site - no cash!

  • Winter Visits

    DAYLIGHT

    From November to January, as the model village is set in a valley srrounded by trees it can start getting quite dark/dull by 3.00-3.30pm on a cloudy/overcast day. Deciphering the miniature scenes in dim light is not the best way to experience the Model Village. If the weather is cloudy, though the gates close later, we would strongly recommend arriving no later than 2.00pm.

    WEATHER

    The Model Village is 90-95% outdoors with some indoor displays, including The Mythical Kingdom, but it is very rare we have to close due to the weather.  Ice & snow is generally rare in Torquay and, set in a valley, we are often quite sheltered from some of the wind.  If it is showery we do have a few indoor displays.   However, In the event of extreme wet/windy/icy weather it would be worth checking ahead (email us mail@model-village.co.uk or conact us on facebook, in the morning before making your journey).

  • Do you offer prize tickets for charity events & raffles?

    Every year we get thousands of requests for complimentary and prize tickets to be handed out at local charity events, special occasions and raffles for a variety of local causes. We do our best to help as many as we can and hand out around 1500 tickets every year. 

    Unfortunately, due to the volume, we can't help and support every request we get.

    TO PUT IN A REQUEST:-

    1/ We can only process requests by email - mail@model-village.co.uk  or letter, we cannot help with requests over the phone.

    2/ It will need to be a local event (South Devon)

    3/ To allow time for processing, it will need to be at least 3 weeks before the event date.

    4/ No more than 4 months before the event date please - our prize tickets are printed in batches twice a year and have an expiry date.

    5/ Please give the event date and some details about what the tickets will be used for and where any monies raised will be going.

    6/ Please give a postal address, at time of application, for where to send the tickets if your application is successful. (we cannot process requests without this and are unable to chase up details)

    ONCE YOU HAVE PUT IN A REQUEST:-

    - We cannot reply to requests, or give information on the status of a request.  You will only hear from us if successful (generally within 3 to 4 weeks).

    - Entries, with all the correct information as above, are picked at random.

    - Please bear with us if you are not successful on this occasion.