Visiting with additional needs & mobility difficulties
A visit to the Model Village is self-guided and involves viewing the miniature exhibits from the pathway. The visit typically takes about 2 to 3 hours. We have some indoor displays if the weather is showery.
The village is bigger than many first-time visitors anticipate – the park is about 4 acres and the path around the gardens is about 0.75 mile – more if including indoor areas. There are seating areas at intervals around the garden. If you have any mobility difficulties it is essential that you allow plenty of time (at least 2-3 hours) and take your time.
On hot days be sure to bring plenty to drink and stay hydrated.
Important Mobility Considerations
The Model Village is built in a natural valley very near to the Devon coastline. Whilst this adds to its charm, as a consequence there are steep slopes, entering and leaving the gardens. The slopes are about 50 metres (160ft) long with gradients up to 1-in-4 (25%).
If using a Motorised Vehicle/Mobility Scooter –
Due to the steep pathways there could be traction issues and a skidding risk (especially in wet weather), so good tyres and brakes are essential. You need to be certain that you and your vehicle can handle 1-in-4 gradients on winding pathways – It will certainly need to be a powerful and well-balanced 4 wheel vehicle.
If using a Manual Wheelchair –
Access is possible and a fair number of visitors do manage it with adequate assistance, but it is difficult and does depend on the strength and ability of the person helping. For your safety, due to the very steep slopes, your helper will need to be reasonably strong & fit and wearing sturdy, good-gripping, footwear. Your wheelchair will need to have well-functioning brakes.
Due to this we are unable to hire out wheelchairs.
Please bear in mind that our staff members are not available to assist manoeuvring wheelchairs & mobility scooters!
Useful Tips - Quieter Times
We sometimes get asked what are the quieter times to visit for SEN –
Afternoons are signifcantly quieter than mornings (Except during our Halloween & Christmas events). Generally, arriving about 60 mins before last entry will allow you 2.5 hours to visit before closing, but it will be MUCH quieter than earlier in the day.
During school holidays, it’s usually a bit quieter at weekends and also Fridays (Mid week – Tuesdays to Thursdays – are usually the busiest days).
Evening Opening – when we open evenings on select days April to September, it is usually very quiet late afternoon into early evening (about 4.00-7.00pm) – this is after most day visitors have gone and before the lights come on for illuminations.
From Nov to Mar, outside the school holidays it is much quieter of course, especially week days.
Weather – wet days will always be the quietest. Dry cloudier days tend to be the busiest, with hot and sunny days being medium busy.
Car Parking
There are two disabled parking bays outside the Model Village entrance. However, this is a local authority owned pay & display car park that serves all amenities in the area, the Model Village has no ownership or control of it. Torbay council does not offer concessions at this car park. The machine nearest the disabled bays, and our entrance, accepts cash (we don’t carry change) and card payments, you can also pay using the RingGo app. The app is good because it operates start/stop so you are not wondering how much time to put it (Remember to stop it though or you would be charged for the whole day)
Assistance Dogs & Visually Impaired
Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the park. You can find more information here – Dog Friendly
The models and displays are viewed from pathways and the scenes are typically placed between 1 to 3 metres from the path. All the scenes are heavily dressed with miniature people, vehicles and other objects from every day life, to make them more realistic. Due to this creating trip hazards, it is not possible for anyone to walk in amongst the scenes. However, we do have a model cottage that you can walk up to and touch.
The scale we use is typically 1/12th in the gardens. This means that the people are about 13-15cm high, vehicles are about 25-30cm long.
Facilities & Toilets
Refreshments and an accessible and general toilets are available at the top of the gardens,at the start and end of your visit. There’s no refreshments available in the gardens.
An accessible and general toilets are available the middle of the gardens (you will go past these about a third of the way round and again about three quarters of the way round)
Not Sure?
See if access if OK for you….
Levels of disability and ability vary greatly from person to person and everyone’s situation is different. If you are still unsure, the best thing we can suggest is to come visit and see for yourself.
You can make your own assessment with regards to access from the viewing terrace just inside the park, and you need to be certain that you are comfortable managing the slopes in and out of the gardens. If you find it is not possible for you then anyone in your party, deciding to leave, can request an appropriate admission ticket refund within 10 minutes of admission.
Please help us to help you! If you have any further questions or concerns, please drop us an email or speak with our admissions staff when you arrive. Bear in mind everyone’s situation is different and we cannot make any assumptions. We can only offer the best advice if we are made aware of your situation.
For any additional queries please email us – mail@model-village.co.uk
Registered Disabled/Carer Prices 2026
If visiting with a registered disability, discounted rates are available and apply to both the disabled person and an accompanying registered carer
(Some form of proof / ID will be required – Carer ID, Disability living allowance letter, Blue badge, Access Card)
DISCOUNTED PRICES
Up to 23rd October – Adult £17.95, Child (3 to 15 yrs) £14.95
From 24th October –Adult £18.50, Child (3 to 15 yrs) £15.50
Booking not required! We are a cashless business and payment is by card, however if you are visiting alone and are unable to pay by card, don’t worry, we can take cash at admissions in excpetional circumstances (As we are cashless, we have very limited change so correct money, or as near as possible, is advised).
EXCEPT MANUAL WHEELCHAIR USERS and required helper:- Due to the difficulty of access for manual wheelchairs on the steep slopes, a little more discount is available – Admission is half price (50%) of the full gate prices at the time of your visit – Applies to both the wheelchair user and one helper pushing.
NOTE: The above rates cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.
