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Godshill Model Village
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Closed until Mar 26, 2023
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Godshill Model Village

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Godshill Model Village
4.5
2,167 reviews
#2 of 11 things to do in Godshill
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Gardens
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Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 26, 2023
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About
Authentic retro attraction that will take you on a trip down memory lane. Beautifully recreated models of Godshill and Shanklin Old Villages as they were in the 1920's and 30's. Passionate about details, the models are true representations of the houses, cottages and pubs you can still see in the 'real world'. 2022 will be our 7th year as an RHS Partner Garden supporting the work of the Royal Horticultural Society. The gardens are packed with conifers and shrubs in the Japanese style of Niwaki, that will make you want to dash home and start gardening... Our customers tell us we inspire them or that they would like to take one of our gardeners home with them! Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. Book online https://modelvillagegodshill.digitickets.co.uk/tickets
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,167 reviews
Excellent
1,601
Very good
473
Average
75
Poor
12
Terrible
6
Emma A
Portsmouth, UK22 contributions
Lovely traditional family fun
Jul 2020 • Family
I remember visiting here about 30 years ago with my grandparents so I was intrigued to visit again with my own children (teenagers). Although Covid has had a negative effect on so many things I felt that here it may have been positive. You must book so that they can restrict numbers which means it isn’t overcrowded. There is spacing in place throughout the village and a one way system in place. This ensured that my 2 teenagers took their time going round the village and actually looked at everything there instead of rushing around like they normally do at such places. There was a family quiz sheet for us to fill in while we went round which added to the interest of everything we were looking at. Toilets at the end were very clean and my 13 yr old son was very amused by the lady in the middle of the football pitch........!

I would also like to say a big shout out to Archie (the gardener that day) who was a very charming and knowledgeable young man. He was also very complimentary about his colleagues who obviously work very hard to keep the grounds as neat and impeccable as they are.
All in all a very lovely time. Our family of 4 ticket was £21 and an added bonus, our 4 legged family member was welcomed as well because dogs are allowed. Thank you Godshill model village my childhood memories have just been enriched further :)
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Hi EmmaA251, Well what a super review, I will ensure your comments are passed on to young Archie as I know he will be pleased. We are blessed with a super team here and they are all super keen to ensure all our visitors enjoy their time at the Model Village. Please do not leave it another 30years before coming again :) Best wishes, Stuart and the Team!
Written August 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jimmers75
Gosport, UK8 contributions
Great attraction and proper value for money
Aug 2021 • Family
What an absolutely inspiring and refreshing family attraction.

Unfortunately nearly didn’t visit due to having visited such bad model villages in the past. Model villages where scale seemingly wasn’t part of the creative process so you would find 1970’s porcelain shier horses in a field with giraffes smaller than them as well as farm houses. Model villages where attention to detail was only had around the cost of entry and very little else

This Model Village though wow it just got better and better the more we got strolled around it. We had a sunny day on our side which bathed the smallest of details as well as 3000, yes over 3000 little trees and shrubs in glorious Godshill light

Our daughter who is 10 was fascinating by not only the village itself but also enjoyed doing the quizz too.

Can not recommend the Model Village enough, lots of to see, lots to appreciate and a quiz to do!

Would love to visit when the full time model maker has his workshop open so we could see a little of the behind the scenes ‘magic’

Great attraction and proper value for money
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Wow what a fantastic review! So glad we were able to redeem "Model Villages" in your eyes 😃 and that the quiz engaged your daughter during her visit. Many thanks and best wishes Penny
Written August 29, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dean S
Shefford, UK556 contributions
Good Value
Nov 2020
We visited on a wet Friday in Oct halve term just before they shut for season . Easy to park in village just down the road and free! . Good value to get in and good Covid measures in place boxes marked up rules explained and people adhering to rules .

The model village is a good size we did it under an hour a little quicker due to rain but on a nice day you could easily spend two hours here . Models are of the island and in good condition and interesting with some good sound effects .

If in the area worth a visit
Written November 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Thanks!
Written April 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Miles_96
Maidstone, UK69 contributions
Great For All
Oct 2021 • Couples
I last came here many many years ago when I was a child and it is a memory that has lasted with me to date. Having come back to visit the Isle Of Wight it was high up on the list of places to re-visit and it was even better than I remembered.

It is laid out in the perfect way and there is excellent attention to detail to all the different scenes. It’s also a lot bigger than I remembered and you can quite easily spend a lot of time there admiring everything.

Staff were really friendly and happy to have a laugh with you which is rare to find these days.

Overall well worth a visit and at a very fair price for what it has to offer. Would thoroughly recommend!
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Great to hear that your return visit was better than you'd thought it would be! Thanks for posting a review - it is much appreciated. Best wishes Penny
Written October 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason C
Southampton, UK50 contributions
A piece of yester year
Oct 2021
I have hadn't been to the model village for some years and decided to pay it a visit.

The whole village is very well maintained and is a credit to the staff who look after it. It shows the island from the 20's/30's and is from a time when life was lived at a slower pace.

I particularly liked the railway and would recommend a visit , although it may not be to the liking of easily bored children/teenagers.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Thanks for your review Jason. Glad you enjoyed your visit here. Best wishes Penny.
Written October 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John
London, UK51 contributions
Superb
Jun 2021 • Family
What a fantastic place. Far far exceeded my expectations. Kids of 2 &7 loved it as did I. Wonderful detail on the models. My daughter particularly liked the model village inside the model village, inside the model village :) gift shop had some great and v reasonably priced quirky trinkets. Lack of pavements in Godshill itself can make the walk along the road a bit hairy in places.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Thanks John, lovely to hear you all enjoyed your visit here. We do appreciate your comments. Agreed that the road can be a bit dicey...if you do come again you can walk across the footpath from the Old Smithy car park to miss the worst narrow bits of the road. Best wishes Penny.
Written June 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lignumvitae77
United Kingdom88 contributions
What a hidden Gem!
Aug 2022 • Family
We haven't been for 30 years and went back yesterday not only with our son again but with his wife and four Grandchildren all under 5. I don't remember it being so massive, or has it enlarged? I don't know. It is truly staggering. If your not into scale models but like Gardens, go to see it just for that. The sheer volume of exquisite Topiary of an amazing spread of native British trees which provide beautifully manicured and picturesque scale to the scenes, perfectly presented.
Great credit goes to the two full time and two part time Gardeners ( I asked) as I imagined it must take 6 or 7 full time. Each complicated tree shape is lovingly clipped to perfection showing the team must really love what they do. Wheelbarrow loads of passion goes into creating this spectacle which just goes on and on. We'll done team!

The model houses, Churches, Hotels, Inns, Shops and thatched cottages are really exquisite. Not just the modelling but the garden fences and hedges are meticulous. No detail is overlooked.

Scale figures are important and the local population are out in force. Wonderful faces, figures and clothing are sweet, unusual and some make you laugh.
The questionnaire was great fun to do
and kept us guessing.
If you like model trains you will be very happy. The airfield has a Tiger Moth, other biplanes and Flying Fleas and a massive Airship also features.

The only omission to my mind bearing in mind it represents life in the 1940' and '50's on the Island would be the Rocket Programme. Perhaps there is no room!

Children of all ages will love it. Adults of all ages will love it. Something for everyone. You could spend hours there. We were about 2 hours going round bit I suppose you could do it in an hour. Value is good. There is free parking at the south end of Godshill but make sure you walk out via the pedestrian path and take in the the lovely and funny garden on the way.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Wow thanks so much for your amazing review and positive words. We really appreciate you taking the time to write about your visit in so much detail - it is helpful to us and other potential visitors. 🪵🌳🌸
Written October 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
redkite128
Wolverhampton, UK76 contributions
Brilliant!
May 2022
What a fun day to go to a model village that is so well thought out and cared for. It was absolutely amazing, miniature people, dogs etc. The thatched houses were beautiful as were the other buildings, from churches, railway station to a beach, gypsy caravans and scout camp tents. The hedges were all clipped and most were Oaks!
My daughters friend sent photographs to her mum telling her that she was on a hot air balloon ride and she was floating over a village; she believed her too!

Well worth the few quid to visit and fun to see what's around the next corner. There was a sheet for small children to fill in as they went around, with the answers by the door to the exit.
Well done to whoever tends the little village!
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Thanks for your review glad you enjoyed the models and trees alike. Love that your daughter's friend was able to prank her mum - that's a first for us! Best wishes Penny.
Written June 24, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peta P
Sidcup, UK495 contributions
Beautiful models
Apr 2022 • Family
My children loved this place. The mini models were amazing so much time and effort put into them and the children loved spotting all the different things especially trying to find all the squirrels.
We spent around an hour here and probably could have spent more time had we not had to go somewhere else.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Thanks for posting your review. Great to hear your children enjoyed the squirrel hunt! Best wishes Penny
Written October 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Zoe Louise R
London, UK163 contributions
Definitely worth a visit
Aug 2022
Our first visit to a model village and it did not disappoint. All the models are based on the local area and it is great fun spotting places you have recently visited. Beautiful models with interesting and funny details to be noticed that tell their own story. We spent over an hour here and the entrance fee felt fair. Highly recommend, particularly if you have an eye for detail. We particularly enjoyed the model Chine, incredible!
Written August 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ModelVillage
Dear ZoeLouise, Thanks for your kind comments. If you visit the real Chine before you come here it does feel surreal. Good to hear you enjoyed the details. Best wishes Penny.
Written October 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Godshill Model Village - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Godshill Model Village
Godshill Model Village is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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We recommend booking Godshill Model Village tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Godshill Model Village tours on Tripadvisor