The team ready to welcome our visitors We are getting ready to open for the 2025 season and our 21st season owning the Model Village! This wonderful place has been home to our family since the late 1960's and the current generation are loving every moment as keepers of the keys. We recently got the team together for a garden walk around with Fred and refresher training. Fred showing the team around the garden. We open on Monday 24th of March at 10am. Plan your visit here.

We were delighted to welcome Manolo Blahnik to the Model Village in February for their spring photoshoot. Across the day around 20 images were created for both women's and men's collections. The team consisted of a photographer, lighting engineers, director, assistant and model, thankfully it was dry which made it ideal for capturing the perfect shots. They used the whole garden and matched the shoes to the backdrop perfectly. You can see the shots across the Manolo Blahnik social media channels. It was super exciting and we are delighted with the results.

Junior Retail Team We are looking for a Junior Team Member to join our weekend team.  You must have good interpersonal skills, be numerate, trustworthy and reliable. Your time is split between the shop and admissions kiosk for the Model Village, working with the Senior team on duty. To be part of our team you must be confident in talking to all age groups and keen to do a good job.   You must be 16+, trustworthy and available to work part-time at weekends from March to November.  Extra hours available in the summer holidays.   Training  and uniform provided. Candidates must live within easy reach of Godshill.    Model Village Recruitment Info We are a family business that’s been here at the Model Village for 55 years - we have extremely high expectations of our team and ourselves. We work hard and like to have fun at the same time! To apply send an email & tell us why you would be great in our team  to hello@modelvillagegodshill.co.uk . Please attach your CV. Closing date for applications is Friday 21st February . If you have not heard from us by then, your application has been unsuccessful.

We are coming out of hibernation and heading towards our 21st season owning the Model Village! This wonderful place has been home to our family since the late 1960's and the current generation are loving every moment as keepers of the keys. Over the winter we take the opportunity to carry out renovation work as needed on the models and little figures. The conifer collection is reviewed and any moves are planned to ensure the trees retain their scale with each individual diorama. Fred can move anything up to 40 trees. Martin is working hard hand re-painting the model of the model "plates" - these have been moved indoors to make this possible. Choosing marine paint has meant the colours retain their longevity and has reduced the frequency of re-painting. Model of the model plates before re-painting There are a number of roofs on the list to be re-thatched. This means creating a new subframe out of wood for the roof panels to sit on, followed by a thatch pattern and then individual bundles nailed into position. Fred will remove the excess straw to create a finished roof! Very time consuming work but we believe it is worth the effort - we are all about the details and authenticity. Roof structure being re-thatched We re-open on 10am on Monday 24th March and look forward to seeing you then!

We are delighted to have won GOLD in the 2024 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in the Isle of Woof category for being the most dog friendly. We attended the awards ceremony at Northwood House in Cowes with other shortlisted businesses. Over 160 island businesses were nominated and 55,000 votes were made from Island Visitors and Locals. We pride ourselves on being pet friendly (we have had Dogs, Cats, Parrots amongst other species and we want to thank you for voting for us.

As our 2024 season came to a close, we can't help but reflect on the amazing journey we've shared this year. Our space has been filled with the laughter of visitors—from enthusiastic families and playful dogs to curious cats and vibrant parrots. Each day brought new energy and unforgettable moments. The Variety of Our Visitors In 2024, we welcomed an incredible mix of visitors. Families, dog lovers, cat enthusiasts, and parrot admirers all came together - though luckily not all on the same day! Each wagging tail reminded us of the joy that comes from sharing our space with all our visitors. Behind the Scenes: Our Garden Maintenance While visitors enjoyed their time in the gardens, a dedicated team worked tirelessly to maintain the beauty of our grounds. They ensured that our seasonal flowers bloomed brilliantly and that our wonderful trees remained healthy. Through their hard work, our RHS Partner gardens offer inspiration for all horticulturists. A Year of Success 2024 has been a year of immense gratitude and success. Each cheerful visitor, playful pet, and dedicated team member contributed to our vibrant tapestry. Looking Forward As we close the chapter on this remarkable year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the fantastic visitors who filled our gardens with laughter! The dedication behind the scenes ensures our gardens thrive and prepares us for an exciting reopening in 2025. As we look forward, our excitement builds for the creation of even more lasting memories.

We have hidden miniature pumpkins all around the Model Village - will you spot them all. Running during half term between Monday 28th October to Friday 1st Nov and included in the usual admission entry, Count how many you spot for a miniature trick or treat prize. This is the last chance to visit us this year as we close on Sunday 3rd November. A great day out for the whole family. Plan you visit here.

We have been awarded Patrons Award at the 2024 Wight in Bloom awards at Albert Cottage in East Cowes.   The ceremony was hosted by Isle of Wight High Sherriff Graham Biss and Visit Isle of Wight chairman David Curtis-Brignell.   Wight in Bloom Patron Alan Titchmarsh was unable to be at the awards in person, but his Patron Award was still presented and we were delighted to be the recipient.     We also donated a class day out to the winners of the Young Peoples Initiative who were Broadlea Primary School.

Wow the summer seemed to whizz by this year! We've seen loads of smashing visitors, loved having Greg here doing magic and though the weather has been unpredicatable we have had the Nammet Hut open most days. We are now back to 10am to 4pm every day and the Nammet Hut will be open Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sat & Sun - weather allowing.

As an RHS Partner Garden a couple of the team were lucky enough to spend the day at Chelsea. This year's show was particularly impressive with its emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and accessibility, reflecting a growing trend in the gardening world towards environmentally conscious and inclusive practices. One of the highlights was the Ecotherapy Garden, which won the gold medal for Best Balcony/Container Garden. This garden showcased how even small spaces can be transformed into lush, therapeutic environments with shade-loving plants and water features that create a peaceful, restorative ambiance. This is particularly inspiring for amateur gardeners who may have limited space but still want to create a serene green retreat​. With our love of niwaki we were drawn to Kazuyuki Ishihara's garden paradise was a testament to the artistic potential of gardening. Known for his lush, intricate designs, Ishihara’s work at Chelsea this year combined traditional Japanese elements with a rich array of plant species, providing a visually stunning and educational experience for visitors.​ For amateur gardeners, these exhibits were not only visually inspiring but also provided practical ideas that can be implemented at home. From container gardening techniques to sustainable gardening practices, the Chelsea Flower Show 2024 demonstrated that beautiful and impactful gardens are within reach for everyone, regardless of space or experience level.

Join us for our annual Spot the Egg event! Between Good Friday to Easter Monday - we will hide mini eggs around the Model Village. You will need to look high & low, at buildings, people and trains! You can see them all from the path. Count of how many you see and tell us your total in the shop, to claim your miniature prize. Normal admission applies. It is fun for all the family!

We were delighted to welcome Pete Astor and Andy Strickland to the Model Village. Peter is an English songwriter and solo artist, known for his work with The Loft, The Weather Prophets, The Wisdom of Harry and Ellis Island Sound. Pete has penned a song called Model Village and what a treat to have a performance of Model Village within the Model Village! Check out the performance below: .