Model Village Godshill

The Model Village in Godshill is a proper oddity - a detailed miniature recreation of an imagined English village, complete with tiny houses, a working mill, and figurines going about their business. It's the sort of place that shouldn't work but somehow does, especially if you've got kids under ten in tow. You wander round at your own pace, peering into windows and trying to spot all the tiny details the makers have tucked in - a figure in a phone box, someone hanging washing out. The whole thing takes about 45 minutes, maybe an hour if you're thorough.

It's worth doing if you're staying nearby - Ventnor's only a few miles south and has proper beaches and coastal walks to balance out the indoor attractions. If you've booked one of the caravan parks clustered around here, like Old Barn Touring Park or Parkdean Lower Hyde just down the road, it makes sense as a rainy-day option. Adults without kids will find it quaint enough but nothing to write home about - the appeal is genuinely the novelty of it all and watching small children lose themselves in the details.

Check opening hours before you go - it's seasonal and weather can affect it. Admission's modest, and there's usually a small gift shop if you fancy a miniature souvenir. Fair warning: it's not a full day out, so pair it with something else in the village or head to the beaches nearby.