Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
The Model Village, Bourton-on-the-Water
A one-ninth scale model of Bourton-on-the-Water as it was in the 1930s, itself listed Grade II, in the garden of the Old New Inn.
Family-friendly
A short visit of pure charm in the middle of Bourton, and cheap. Wheelchair users go free through the side gate, but scooters and pushchairs cannot go in.
- Good: Wheelchair users free through a side gate
- Good: No booking: pay on arrival
- Worth knowing: Card only
- Worth knowing: No scooters, powered chairs or pushchairs inside
- Worth knowing: Assistance dogs only
About
The Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water is a one-ninth scale model of the village as it was in the 1930s, built in stone in the garden of the Old New Inn. It opened on 13 May 1937, for the coronation of George VI, and was listed Grade II in 2013.
The model includes the River Windrush running through the village in its true course, with its bridges. The Exhibition of Miniatures inside costs £1 more.
It opens daily from 10am, to 5.30pm in summer time and 3.30pm in winter, and closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and in snow, though rarely for rain. There is no booking: pay by card at the gate.
Paths are narrow, so wheelchair users enter free through a side gate. Mobility scooters, powered chairs and pushchairs cannot go in, and only assistance dogs are allowed.
Opening hours and season
| Monday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
| Thursday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
| Friday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
| Saturday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
| Sunday | 10:00 to 17:30 |
10am to 5.30pm in British Summer Time; 10am to 3.30pm in winter. Closed 25 and 26 December, and in snow.
The details
- History
- Built in the 1930s; listed Grade II in 2013
Photos
Victoria Street in miniature 
A model street 
The village green in miniature 
The model village in autumn sun
Location
Accessibility
- Assistance dogs welcome
Paths are often too narrow for wheelchairs, so wheelchair users enter free through a side gate. Mobility scooters, powered chairs, pushchairs and walking frames cannot go inside; there is pushchair parking by the entrance.
Places to stay nearby
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Chester House Hotel
Hotel · Bourton-on-the-Water
A family-owned hotel with 22 rooms on Victoria Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, with L'Anatra Italian Kitchen, a walled garden, a car park and rooms for small dogs.
Dog-friendly
Verified Nov 2026
-
The Dial House
Hotel · Bourton-on-the-Water
A hotel with 13 rooms on Bourton-on-the-Water's High Street, five of them designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, with a restaurant, a garden and parking for guests.
Verified Nov 2026
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Old Manse Hotel
Inn · Bourton-on-the-Water
A Cotswold-stone inn of 1748 on Victoria Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, with 15 rooms, three of them for dogs, and pub food all day, run by Greene King Inns.
Dog-friendly
Verified Nov 2026
Nearby walks, places and things to do
- The Old New Inn 0.0 km away
- The Croft 0.1 km away
- The Kingsbridge 0.1 km away
- Chester House Hotel 0.2 km away
Sights nearby
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Bourton-on-the-Water war memorial
Sight · Monument · Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water's war memorial is a tall stone cross of 1920 on the green beside the Windrush, raised by the village for its 27 men who died in the First World War, with 12 names added after the Second. Listed Grade II; open at all times.
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Narrow Bridge, Bourton-on-the-Water
Sight · Bridge · Bourton-on-the-Water
Narrow Bridge is the oldest dated of the low stone footbridges over the Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water, built in 1756 with three rusticated arches and low parapets. Listed Grade II with three of its neighbours, it is crossed free at any time.
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St Lawrence's Church, Bourton-on-the-Water
Sight · Church · Bourton-on-the-Water
St Lawrence's is Bourton-on-the-Water's parish church on the High Street: a chancel of 1328, a Georgian tower of 1784 under a lead dome and a nave taken back to the Gothic style in 1891. Grade II*, open daily from about 10am to 4pm, step-free and dog friendly.
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Salmonsbury Camp
Sight · Hill fort or barrow · Bourton-on-the-Water
Salmonsbury Camp is an Iron Age fortified enclosure of about 23 hectares just east of Bourton-on-the-Water, its double banks still up to 2m high on three sides, with Roman and Saxon finds and a charter of AD 779. A scheduled monument on Greystones Farm reserve.