Advertising in the Age of Innocence ? No 2
11 Signs found at the Bekonscot Model Village⇐ at Beaconsfield. The other vintage signs are here ⇐ .
These advertising signs seem so simple compared with modern sophistry. Perhaps they are no less clever than those of present time but reflect an appeal to simpler desires and attitudes compared with today. Which do you find persuasive ?
The Royal Mews
10 pics and the best is last. I thought a Royal Mews would have cats deep in thought but it turns out to be coaches. The one above is the “Glass Coach” and was used for royal marriages, including our own Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Mews can be found at the southern wall of Buckingham Palace (near Victoria Station) beside the Queens Gallery and you can photograph in both. Nearby are the State Rooms, where photography is not allowed. There are also some very royal gift shops,
This is a Donkey Barouche. Although it would probably look prettier with a donkey sitting in it. 🙂
I thought I might borrow this for Christmas. I’m sure they wouldn’t notice. It would make a great tankard full of amber foaming beer for quaffing.
And, here’s my ride. Cinderella would have been jealous.
I think the coachmen turn back into corgis at midnight. 🙂
Oh poop, I got caught and put in jail. I’m being held for ransom. Help ! Send mince pies and brandy or it’s jingly bell sleigh duty for me.
The Builders
Many of the posts here, are to show the fabulous achievements of past builders, makers, artisans and artists. They gave us the world that we live in but very few are remembered by name. Here and there can be seen works that commemorate their efforts.
Above is “The Unknown Navvy” (navigator) by Anthony Stones which is currently at Gerrards Cross rail station just outside London.
Below is “The Building Worker” by Alan Wilson which can be found just north of the Tower of London beside the main road. Its plaque reads:-
“For the thousands of building workers who have lost their lives at work, we commemorate you”.
“For the thousands of building workers who are today building and rebuilding towns and cities across the United Kingdom, we celebrate you”.

London Climate Rally Photographs 2015
They came and they came and there was easily more than 50,000. There were old-uns and young-uns , teenies and tweenies. I hadn’t seen so many join together for a long time and it was inspiring and heart warming.
One People, one Planet and one Purpose.
And every now and then a roar would arise and it would travel along the rally like a Mexican wave.
And Towser (has to be a Towser) thought it was mellifluous.
Every one of them. And, every day there are more.
With thanks to The Campaign Against Climate Change, Avaaz, 350.org, Change,org and everybody who made this happen right across the world.
The National Portrait Gallery, London
The National Portrait Gallery is, to me, the best of the London Galleries. Here you can see some excellent portraiture of those who influenced the world we live in. There are many more paintings, here I have shown mostly the more contemporary.
The Portrait gallery is right behind The National Gallery, very close to Trafalgar Square and St Martin in the Field and not far from St James Park and Westminster. The nearest underground rail station is Charing Cross.
The brief factual comments are mostly extracts from Wikipedia and more information is available by clicking on the pink links.
David Lloyd George, laid the foundation for the modern welfare state, served as Prime Minister during WWI and was the last Liberal Party Prime Minister.
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Amy Johnson, was a pioneering English aviator and was the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia.
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Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the British Suffragette movement.
Sir Winston Churchill, needs no introduction.
Dame Anna Neagle, a very popular British stage and screen actress.
Beatrix Potter, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist best known for her children’s books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Dame Margot Fonteyn, widely regarded as one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of all time.
Dame Monica Mason, a former ballet dancer and artistic director of the Royal Ballet in London from 2002 to 2012.
Dorothy L. Sayers, a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator and Christian humanist.
Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems “Do not go gentle into that good night”, “And death shall have no dominion” and the “Play for Voices”, Under Milk Wood. He also encouraged a reputation as a “roistering, drunken and doomed poet”.
Edward William Lane, a British Orientalist, translator and lexicographer. He is known for his translation of One Thousand and One Nights, which he censored, with the usual 19th-century view on “Victorian morality”.
Sir Henry Irving, a Victorian actor/manager and the first actor to be awarded a knighthood.
Henry James, an American writer who spent most of his writing career in Britain.
James Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century. Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922).
Laurie Lee, an English poet, novelist and screenwriter. His most famous work was an autobiographical trilogy which consisted of Cider with Rosie (1959), As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning (1969) and A Moment of War (1991).
Elizabeth I More of her paintings/history can be found in the post Hatfield House and Elizabeth I.
Lady Hamilton and Admiral Lord Nelson. A scandalous affair. Just goes to show that if one is a hero, one can get away with anything.
The Trial of Queen Caroline. In fact a parliamentary debate designed to grant King George IV a divorce.
Reformed House of Commons. Following the Representation of the People Act 1832 .
Sir Earnest Shackleton. Amongst his many exploits Shackleton safely brought back his entire expedition after their ship was crushed by Antarctic ice. It took three years.
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Sir Tim Berners-Lee, an English computer scientist, best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web.
I think he probably did more to change the world than anybody else.
Trafalgar Square and Street Artists
Even on a grey November day there is something to see. The eyes in this drawing are worth a second look.
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“They seek him here, they seek him there, His clothes are loud, but never square.
It will make or break him so he’s got to buy the best, ‘Cause he’s a dedicated follower of fashion”.
This one has been here for a long time.
There was an event on, so I couldn’t get a shot of the whole square. Here are some samples.
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Nelson’s column is 170 ft tall. In it’s time that was impressive.
As for what follows, sometimes it’s best not to ask.

Brighten the Day 3
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“And here’s some we made earlier”.
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“Alright blue then”.
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I’m not sure whether that’s a goat or a monkey. Here are some monkees with a little innocence.
More Brighten the Day ⇐.
Loki the Raven Falcon
7 pics. Loki was rescued by Coda Falconry and took part in the Falconry Display during King Harold’s Day at Waltham Abbey. Although presently still juvenile, Loki will eventually live for around sixty years, is highly intelligent, full of cheek and seems to like the attention of being a substitute falcon.
Cheek is why Loki is on a long tether (creance). Loki likes doughnuts, other people’s doughnuts and not too fussy how they are obtained. Ravens do have a dark reputation, but he is in fact a handsome fellow. It’s just that they tend to hang around battlefields (well a birds got to eat) and otherwise nick any bauble that takes their fancy.
Loki likes strutting his stuff,
.. and hopping. He does a lot of hopping,
.. and casing the joint for opportunities.

This is Loki’s official portrait which shows his beautiful plumage (reminds me of the Norwegian Blue).
Brighten the Day 2
To brighten the day. Flowers, a puppy, a ruddy duck, a little tree, a big mobile and a little tom foolery. I hope it does brighten your day. 🙂
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Mostly from the Wisley Gardens Flower Show.
“The sun has got his hat on, hip hip hooray. The sun has got his hat and is coming out to play”.
“Moon river, wider than a mile, I’m crossing you in style some day. Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, Wherever you’re going, I’m going your way”.
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“They call me Baby Driver, And once upon a pair of wheels
Hit the road and I’m gone, What’s my number ? I wonder how your engines feel. baa ba baa”.
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“I’m a tree, wheee”.
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“I was born up in the mountains, where the rattlesnakes have legs, Where the hootowls speak in English, and the roosters lay square eggs”. (by True Blue Bill)
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“She comes in colors everywhere, She combs her hair, She’s like a raaainbow”.
More Brighten the Day ⇐.
Swan lake – with mist
A great set of misty views. The last one being a particularly absorbing mix of subtle colours and reflection. Good work by Lady Fi 🙂 Please apply any comments and likes to the original post via view original at the end:-)
A chilly morning dawned
Bringing out the colours of the leaves
And the swans.
They appeared out of the mist
Like feathered ships.
The sun bursting through the trees
Placed stripes of light on the swan’s neck.
Closer and closer the swan sailed
Beautiful in the lilac dawn.
For more swan songs, please go to: Our World.
Waltham Abbey and King Harold’s Day
The Church
There has been a church on this site since 610 AD. Rebuilt on a grander scale by Harold Godwinson (Earl of Essex and East Anglia) and consecrated in 1060 AD. The church has a long history that can be found here.
Harold Godwinson later became King Harold II in 1066. During that year Harold was forced to march north to Stamford Bridge and fend of a viking invasion. Two weeks later he was in Hastings trying to repel the Norman invasion. The Normans prevailed over the Anglo-Saxons and England/Britain was changed forever. This was the last successful invasion of the British Isles.
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King Harold’s Day
“Hit me with your rhythm stick”. Morris dancing didn’t appear until 1448 but I’m not going to say anyting.
“I don’t know why they do it. They’d be better of with a hammer, like me and Thor”.
She was very good and produced some appealing airs.
The value of life was accounted very differently then. A slaves life being worth less than a toe of any other person.
On the other hand they had some sophisticated shoe marketing techniques.
What did the Normans ever do for us ?

“Falcons, who said falcons, I’ll give them food poisoning”. The falconry display includes a Peregrine Falcon and is here 🙂
Flower Festival at Leeds Castle
During the Flower Festival the castle was festooned, here are just a few. And there is more to see at Leeds Castle Interiors and Leeds Castle Grounds. 🙂

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Advertising in the Age of Innocence ?
Most of these are from the 1920’s. A few are earlier. They all come from the Bekonscot Model Village⇐. You might notice that some of the claims are blatantly exaggerated, but I think I prefer that to the present day subtleties of spin. More here ⇐.
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The tonic wine might be more welcome.
I included this because I find it inspiring that so many such projects, both religious and secular, have stood the test of time. They often work quietly in the background and have made a profound difference to the lives of vulnerable people over the decades.
🙂
Leeds Castle Interiors
A castle has been on this site, in Kent, since 1119 and has been used by a number of royalty including Edward I and Henry VIII. The castle was purchased by Lady Baillie in 1926 and was used for a number of worthy purposes including a hospital for airmen during WWII.
In 1974 it was left to the Leeds Castle Foundation to be preserved for the benefit of the public. The history (Wiki) is here, castle/events website here, grounds/moat/lake/gardens here, falconry display here and the flower festival is here.
The name “Leeds” seems to have the original meaning of loud or rushing water. Hence there is a Leeds village nearby and another Leeds in the north of England.
This fellow is carrying a pole axe which was used to penetrate armour, quite often the opponent’s helmet. Hence the expression, being pole-axed.
I’m sure you could play a board game on that.
Henry VIII and it looks like he left his tankard behind.
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I’m not sure whether this is a charming guardian or a psychopath in a skirt. I suppose the defining question is; would I want him at the top of my stairs on dark night ?
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And, Richard II. We all know what happened to him.
Thanks for the visit and ~
Leeds Castle Grounds
20 pics. Leeds Castle in Kent that is. The long lake beside the castle and the path that passes the formal gardens and leads to the playground, maze, falconry display and a cheeky Jackdaw. Castle interiors here. See the castle website and tickets are valid for a year of repeat visits, yay. In the meantime enjoy ~.

This is “Elsie” the land train from ticket office to the castle entrance (50 pence each). The walk is about 10-15 minutes and passes through some pleasant gardens.
Approaching the castle.
The time of my visit coincided with a flower festival. More of that in another post.
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There is a cafe and restaurant and a small dog-collar museum.
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Past the cafe and restaurant are the gardens.
And, the tiered gardens beside the long lake and a view of the playground fort.
“This year I will be mostly wearing my nose in the air”. | “She will too, she’s such a boy. I’ve got a long skirt you know”
There is a maze (keep turning left) with a turret at the center. Beneath the turret is a grotto complete with sounds of the sea, a doom laden voice reciting doom laden poetry and a tunnel to the way out. 🙂
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“And what are you laughing at. Just because I’ve got a comical looking face. I’ll have you know that I’m part of the entertainment”. “They don’t give these umbrellas to just anybody”.
“From me, Jack Daw, and all the other birdies, we hope you enjoyed your visit and do come again”. 🙂
Bonsai Trees at Wisley Gardens
If you think I’m daft enough to climb all the way up there to get photographs of little trees at Wisley Gardens ? Oh you do. Oh well, fair enough then. 🙂
There is a whole avenue of them, this is jut a few. There ages are mainly 40-60 years, with one exception.
It is amazing to see the whole detail of tree and leaf encapsulated in one small growth.
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This one is 150 years old. It was around before the first telephone was installed, successfully cared for all that time and has never received a telephone bill. 🙂
Falconry at Leeds Castle
17 pics. A Harris Hawk waits pensively for the launch signal. That beak means business. You can click twice for a better view.
The trainer sends a morsel into the air using an elastic catapult. A little to the right of the hawk is a distant seagull and just below is the morsel. The hawk now has folded wings for the dive.
“Nothing to see here, move along now. Ahh, with fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti”.
“I’m firm but fair and you will applaud”. And they did.
The owl, the trainer said, had a short attention span and was easily distracted. He also said they were “thick”.
“Right, I’ll have your scraggles off”.
“I am, in fact, wise and dignified and I’ll murgle anyone who says otherwise”.
Meanwhile, several gulls were scriking and showing off by making feint dives at the hawks. But, they carefully kept their distance. The hawks disdained any interest. After all, one does not converse with one’s food.
This little miss is a North American Kestrel weighing in at a mere 4 ounces. She was so fast on the wing, that the only photographs I have, are where she used to be. Even the gulls were bemused and kept their distance.
Falcons, we are informed, will only fly free and return if they are happy with their conditions. They also live twice as long as in the wild. So, everybody’s happy. Yay . 🙂
There are more falcons including an amazing peregrine here.
Tweet and thanks for the visit.
Brighten the Day 1
10 pics. I’ve put aside some florality to brighten the winter days. Collages will include flowers, orchids, bonsai trees, statues, an occasional odd duck and perhaps something photo-shopped. Mostly from the Wisley flower show. This is the first, I hope that it brightens your day. 🙂 Click on twice to expand an image.
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Have a guess how old this Bonsai tree (Juniperus Rigida) is, Answer further down.
It’s not my fault. I just live here.
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And, the Bonsai tree is an amazing 150 years old.
More Brighten the Day ⇐.
Hatfield House and Gardens
There is a lot of history and a lot to see at Hatfield House. This is just a sample. I’ve started with this flower because it is the most regal that I have seen. You might also like to view the amazing interiors and some of its Elizabethan history by clicking here.
Inside the house are the famous Rainbow and Ermine portraits of Elizabeth I, together with a number of ornate ceilings and artifacts.
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For instance, this is Lord Burghley who created and ran what was probably the first organized intelligence service.
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. Access from Hatfield rail station is via a viaduct (I’ve always wanted to say that) that spans over a village.
Further into the estate is the old house and gardens.
This is the rear view of the newer house.
Across the green is the old church.
And, nearby is a path leading to the church which is open to visitors for part of the day.
In the church grounds there is this Tudor cottage.
And, inside the church the ceiling is being restored.
There are a number of gardens and water features.
Meet the crew. There are several statues but I thought this was the best and appears to feature Queen Elizabeth I herself.
There is quite an extensive shopping mall with a gallery, large cafe and this. A toy shop and gun shop side by side. What can I say, it’s the countryside. Here are some flowers.
If you like history then Hatfield House is steeped in it. More here.
Hatfield House and Elizabeth I
17 pics. Hatfield House is one of the most historically significant places to photograph near London and The Grounds ⇐, Extraordinary Chickens ⇐, Hatfield House Website ⇒.
Upon an autumn day being 27th November 1558 beside an oak tree near to Hatfield House which was her home at the time, Princess Elizabeth Tudor was told that she had become Queen Elizabeth I of England, following the death of her elder half-sister Queen Mary I.
Elizabeth’s accession had not been a certainty. Queen Mary I, also known as “Bloody Mary”, resented her own mother’s displacement as Henry VIII’s wife by Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn. Queen Mary’s sobriquet stemmed from her attempt to return England to Catholicism by persecution of Protestants. Elizabeth was considered to have protestant leanings and likely to undo Mary’s efforts.
Fortunately Elizabeth was popular and had a number of powerful allies. Otherwise the whole future of Britain would have been changed and would have had a significant impact upon world history. Elizabeth’s reign of 44 years was known as a Golden Age with herself as “Gloriana” the virgin queen.
Portraits of Elizabeth started to include a variety of symbols which made them statements of intent and power and helped to establish the cult of Elizabeth. Here are two of them with some of the symbols explained, followed by images from within Hatfield House.
The Ermine Portrait shows Elizabeth holding an olive branch in her right hand signifying the offer of peace. Upon her left is an ermine wearing a crown as a collar and near her left hand the sword of state.
The ermine in the picture, with its black flecks, is a stylised version that indicates its heraldic significance that looks up to the queen.
An ermine is a stoat (short-tailed weasel) in its white winter coat. It represents purity and valour based upon an old legend that it would rather die than soil its white coat. Monarchs and peers had used the ermine to make cloaks. With several of the pelts sown together, the black tipped tails created a pattern of dark flecks. This then became an heraldic device of black flecks upon white.
Taken overall the message is that whilst Elizabeth offered peace, she was ready to use the sword, limited only by righteous regal purity.
The Rainbow Portrait includes the Latin phrase “Non Sine Sole Iris” (No Rainbow Without Sun). Although in the last year of her reign, Elizabeth is depicted in her prime with flowery symbols of spring on her dress.
The dress is protected by a cloak that has eyes and ears both inside and outside. There is also a serpent on her arm that represents subtle wisdom and a powerful bite.
The rainbow in her right hand seems to have no colour. I have not found a commentator who explains this but does seem to be of significance.
Taken altogether this is Elizabeth as the source of nature’s beauty and light protected by an ability to hear and see everything and to act upon that knowledge.
One of the famous Queen Elizabeth I Armada paintings can be seen at The Queen’s House ⇐ in Greenwich.
There have been many films depicting Elizabeth’s very dramatic life. My personal favourites are the 1998 film “Elizabeth” and the 2007 film “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” both starring Cate Blanchett and, I think, definitely worth seeing.
And, here is the house:-
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There are a great many works of art in Hatfield House, this one took my interest because it shows that artists of the past had some curious notions or tried to create them. In this picture of Eden there are people other than Adam and Eve and some of the animals are transparent. Click on twice for a closer view.
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This painting of Cicely Alice (Marchioness of Salisbury) was painted about 1910. I found it to be somewhat enigmatic. Whilst I could not find any cause for it, if you click on twice to expand, it looks as if she is about to burst into tears.
More from the grounds ⇐.
Sculpture at Wisely
One of the events at Wisley Gardens has been the sculpture trail. Here are just a few that I found particularly engaging and here are the Alice in Wonderland pieces. A couple of clicks to expand. Enjoy ~
Wisley Gardens Orchids and Pitchers
Wisley Gardens (main post here) has a very well kept glass house with many amazing inhabitants. Here are just a few.
I didn’t know what this was called. I thought “Your Highness” was probably the safest option.
The glass house is much bigger than this, but I particularly like this section. More at Wisley Gardens.
A Very Model Village at Bekonscot
30 pictures. Bekonscot Model Village, near Beaconsfield rail station, just to the north west of London, is one of the most unusual places to photograph near London.
– For detail, please click on and image and then again to expand –
Of course, one stayed at the best hotel, as one does.
Having arrived in style, as one does too.
Then tea with the local squire and a tour of the town.
You might notice that they are keen to discourage running. It’s for the benefit of the occasional giant. Personally, I’ve never needed any discouragement.
Caught up on some local news. The forecast was that there would be weather all day, so we strolled on.
The local fireman in action. Good show, what.
After all the excitement, a little libation seemed in order. Then, on to the town center.
Of course, they do like their little joke. Fruiterers U.R.A Peach, Evan Leigh Soles and Lee Key Plumbers.
Seems a bit quiet but they’re all in the Royal Saracens Head.
With such an open invitation, how could one refuse. Thirsty work, all this walking about.
After a drink or two, we thought we’d behave responsibly and refrain from driving. So we borrowed the twin-engined job. ↓ 😀
Of course Bekonscot does have a very good transport system.
We gave the jolly old castle a fly by. They turned out the guard for us. Actually, I think we were being shot at but I’m sure they didn’t mean it, just a bit of fun. 🙂
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A nice little church, right next to the fun fair.
And, another with a quite modern vicarage.
The cider apple farm. Almost landed for a sample, but thought we’d better press on. 🙂
Bekonscot is generally very industrious and the canal very busy.
The old castle ruins are very popular. In the background one can see some of those giants I mentioned earlier with they’re plaintiff cries of “Don’t do that to your sister” and “How many times have I got to tell you”. I believe their numbers are kept down by congestion charging. 😀
The old fishing village.
The college is world-famous. Mostly for its prodigious cider consumption.
Farming is strictly organic. There’s a recital every day. 😀
Plenty of other entertainment though. With the latest in performers.
It was from here that Sir Earnest Guzzelit embarked on his exploration of the Amazon rain-forest. Nobody has had the heart to tell him that he’s been going round in circles for two years.
There’s Fred with his steam roller. Known locally as Fearless Fred on account of not being scared of big flowers.
And, more local humour.
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This one’s my favourite (W.E. Humpit and U Burnett).
There was a tiny bit of a crash landing. As luck would have it, quite close to this rescue center. 🙂
Well there you have it, you see. Not very big until you get right down to it. 🙂
There’s more magic at Alice in Wonderland. 😀
Bekonscot is the oldest model village in the world and if you would like to know more about Bekonscot⇐. It is worth checking the Admission Times and Prices. For 2015 it is much cheaper after 3:30 pm (closes 5:30 pm). If traveling by rail there is a signed foot path just outside the Beaconsfield station exit (cross the footbridge first, if coming from London – Waterloo).
And, there is also:-
The Elfin Oak, Babbacombe Model Village (Devon) and nearby Kents Caverns, Corfe Castle and more Model Villages. Enjoy and thanks for the visit.






























































































































































































































