Miniatures, dioramas and scale models

Miniature parks

Worldwide, there are several Legoland parks, based around models made using the small plastic bricks.

Asia 1 Miniaturk, Golden Horn, Istanbul. Features scale models of many landmarks, modern and ancient, some of which are no longer standing, in Turkey and the former Ottoman lands. 2 Seven Wonders, New Town, Kolkata, India. Part of the larger Eco Park, it consists of scale models of seven world-famous monuments: the Pyramids of Giza, Christ the Redeemer, Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Petra, Colosseum and Moai Statues. Outside Seven Wonders, there are some other scale models of monuments in Eco Park, like the Eiffel Tower and a terracotta building of Bishnupur. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Splendid China, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China. Includes miniature versions of the Forbidden City, Terracotta Soldiers, Tibet Potala Palace, Huangshan Mountains, Yunnan's Stone Forest, and of course the Great Wall of China. This miniature park covers 300,000 m², fully forested with beautiful greenery and flowers. (updated Nov 2018) 4 Tobu World Square (東武ワールドスクウェア), Japan. See Kinugawa article for details (updated Jan 2024)

Europe 5 France Miniature, Élancourt, France. 6 Madurodam, George Maduroplein 1, Netherlands (tram 9 or 22 (toward Scheveningen Noorderstrand)), ☏ +31 70 416 2400. 9AM-6PM daily. This miniature city contains a selection of Dutch architecture, ranging from Amsterdam's canals and church spires from Utrecht and Den Bosch, to modern architecture from Rotterdam and the enormous Delta works that protect the country from the sea. Madurodam also has an airport, a seaport, beaches, and little cars, trams and trains running through the entire town. Madurodam is open year round. €14.50 for adults, €10.50 for children. 7 Portugal dos Pequenitos, Coimbra, Portugal. Child-sized models of Portuguese and colonial architecture and monuments. (updated Aug 2021) 8 Swissminiatur, Melide, Switzerland. Switzerland in miniature as a theme park in Melide near Lugano.

United Kingdom 9 Becknscot, Beaconsfield, HP9 2PL. 10 Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay, TQ1 3LA. 11 Model Village, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2AF. A miniature version of Bourton at 1:9th of the scale (with also a

Model railways

Model railway (or railroads) initially developed at the end of the 19th century, and have developed from comparatively large models, into rail-roads of diverse scale, modelled gauges and levels of detail. Don't assume that all model rail-roads are at small scales inside a building, there being some 'garden railways' that can be on nominal scales as big as 1:12 scale.

United Kingdom 14 Wroxham Miniature Worlds, Station Business Park Hoveton Norfolk, ☏ +44 1603 781728, [email protected]. 3 Medium sized model railways. (updated Apr 2018)

Shows As well as the 'fixed' attractions above, many model railway clubs in the UK hold (annual) public shows, the traveller is advised to check local press in a destination, Some of these shows may focus on modelling specific themes, railways or periods, whereas others are more general. Layouts at such events can vary from tiny 'micro' layouts, through to complex multi-operator affairs.

Germany 15 The Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg, [email protected]. The world's largest model railway layout. The panoramas include parts of Hamburg, the Alps, the American west, and a Scandinavian exhibit which features automated ships on a body of water. It also has an airport exhibit with automated planes which taxi and fly. Tickets €20, kids under 16 €12.50. (updated Oct 2021)

United States Golden State Model Railroad Museum in Richmond, California

Models

United States 16 Panorama of the City of New York, Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City. A scale model showing every building in New York City. (updated Aug 2021)

United Kingdom 17 Pendon Museum, Pendon Museum, Long Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QD, ☏ +44 1865 408143. 1100-1800. Pendon consists of 2 supererbly detailed model diorama begun in the 1920s which aim to recreate in miniature a representation of English country life of the period, as well as a portion of the Great Western Railway. £7.50 Adult. (updated Apr 2017)

Miniature theatres

18 Pollock's Toy Museum, London, W1T 2HL.

Dolls' houses

Queen Mary's Dolls' House, Windsor