The retro model theme park that was like a ‘mini wonderland' – here's what it was like to visit as a child

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Plus, Universal's UK theme park plans have dropped – here's what you can expect including nightclubs and film studios
DOWN SIZED The retro model theme park that was like a 'mini wonderland' – here's what it was like to visit as a child
A FORMER amusement park in Bournemouth used to be home to "Europe's largest model landscape" with Big Ben and a mechanical Tower Bridge.
The model village of Tucktonia opened back in 1976 and included an array of different landmarks such as Admiralty Arch, Hadrian's Wall and Stonehenge.
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Tucktonia opened back in 1976 and included an array of different landmarks such as Admiralty Arch, Hadrian's Wall and Stonehenge
Credit: Alamy
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Located in Bournemouth, Tucktonia used to be home to "Europe's largest model landscape"
Credit: Alamy
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Some of the models were even mechanical including Tower Bridge which opened and closed
Credit: Alamy
Some of the models even moved, including Tower Bridge, which opened and closed to allow boats to pass through.
A model of an airport also was mechanical with planes actually travelling along the runway.
But the model village didn't just feature big landmarks, it also had a Cornish village, Kellogg's factory and a motorway flyover.
At the time, the attraction was dubbed "the best of Britain in Miniature", according to an advert for the destination.
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One woman, Emma Cansdale from Waltham Abbey used to visit regularly as a child.
The 52-year-old told Sun Travel: "As an eight-year-old it was like a mini wonderland.
"Back then I loved the quaintness of model villages and miniature railways.
Emma added: "I remember it was a hot summer day spent following the map to find the different attractions and eating ice cream."
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Across the village, there were over 200 models made from fibre glass and steel and it cost £2million to develop - about £13.5million now.
The attraction took two years in total to plan and build.
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And for little ones, there was Railriders club - which Emma was part of.
"One of the reasons we went to Tucktonia was to pick up a sticker for my Railriders sticker book as they were participating in that scheme," Emma added.
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Old maps of Tucktonia Leisure Park that Emma has, show what featured at the 21acre site.
And it wasn't just the model village - it also had a number of other attractions including fairground rides, a fun slide, boating lake, an amusement arcade, crazy golf, a go-kart track and a mini cinema.
One leaflet even claims the park was home to "Europe's largest model landscape".
Another poster claims it was "the greatest model Britain in the world".
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There used to be a number of other attractions too including fairground rides
Credit: Emma Cansdale
According to Dorset Life, some famous faces made appearances at the park too.
Comedian and magician Tommy Cooper and actor Jon Pertwee visited in 1978.
Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin also hosted the BBC's Multi-Coloured Swap Shop live from the park.
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Then in 1985, it was used as a film set for the alien movie Lifeforce - a sci-fi horror by Tobe Hooper, who also created The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Some believe that a number of the models were destroyed as part of the filming, whilst others claim that whilst the village was used as a set, the buildings destroyed in the film were actually different models created by the visual effects team.
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Emma used to visit as a child and remembers it well
Credit: Emma Cansdale
In 1980, Alton Towers opened and many believed that this immediately had an impact on the number of visitors at Tucktonia.
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In the following years, the park changed ownership more than once and then in 1986, the park closed - just a decade after the model village had first opened.
The site's buildings and fixtures were then all cleared to make the land available for a pub.
In 2003, the site then transformed again into a number of retirement flats and homes.
One fan of the park commented on social media: "What a fab place it was... Big childhood memories, very sad when it closed."
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Another added: "Absolutely loved Tucktonia. As a child these places were so exciting."
There is also an abandoned £118million fairytale theme park that would have been a Disneyland rival – but closed after four years.
Plus, Universal's UK theme park plans have dropped – here's what you can expect including nightclubs and film studios.
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In 1985, the attraction was even used as a film set for the alien movie Lifeforce
Credit: Emma Cansdale