Take a stroll with us down memory lane.
The Founder
Everything that you see when visiting is from the vision of one individual – Tom Dobbins. One of three brothers, Tom Dobbin was born in 1917 in Southport, Lancashire. His career ambitions were interrupted by the second World War. During the conflict he saw service at Dunkirk and was decorated by his Majesty King George VI at Buckingham Palace.
During the post war years, he embarked upon the realization of a dream, which was simply to build one of the finest Model Villages in the country. His very first Village was a long way from Devon, opening in Southport, Lancashire in 1956.
Babbacombe Model Village opened to the public seven years later in 1963. It has been here that the imagination, humour and ingenuity of four decades has been poured.
How It All Began
Following on from the creation of the Model Village in Southport, Tom Dobbins began discussions with the intention of establishing a Model Village in the Torbay Borough Area. As there was nothing quite like it in 1961, the proposal received a great deal of local interest. After very careful deliberation, the current position was chosen. The original site was little more than a natural valley or combe as it is known locally. The natural landscape of this part of South Devon has many such small valleys. It was in one of these in 1961 that the work on Babbacombe Model Village began.
The First Two Decades - 1960s and 70s
By 1965 the Model Village had just under three hundred models of various buildings. These included a football stadium and an industrial estate and under five thousand figures. The quality of the work on display was being appreciated a mere two years after the Model Village opened its doors in 1963.
The original underlying idea was that the Model Village was to be the representation of an imaginary area of the English countryside. It was to be shown at its best in an almost ‘idealised’ form within a setting of abundant and colourful planting. Along with the district building styles of farms and country houses, were to be included lakes and waterfalls. Later, as a contrast, a substantial modern town was added.
The Middle Years – 1980s and 90s
At the start of the nineteen eighties, there were well over 6,000 figures in the village and the number of buildings had grown to nearly 400. The illuminations were by now using 10,000 miniature electric bulbs and featured the famous UFO.
It was at this time that the Founder Tom Dobbins travelled to Canada to attend the opening of a Model Village, which had been inspired by Babbacombe Model Village. The watchword for success, along with maintaining the highest standards, was being topical – Wombley Stadium with its streakers along with Hunt saboteurs.
Increasing numbers of overseas visitors and foreign students made their way to the Model Village to experience this unique depiction of the English way of life. To underline the quality of its gardens, in 1985 the Model Village was given a special award in the Britain in Bloom competition.
A New Century
Since the new millennium, there has been considerable investment into the Model Village, especially our maintenance and development facilities to enable us to keep pace with and reflect our changing world.
The Model Village is well poised to continue in its own unique way with the task of portraying aspects of our collective experience. This will always be done with a view to maintaining the essential qualities we have on offer, dedication to high quality workmanship from model makers and gardeners alike.
One of the most popular additions during the noughties was the Merrivale castle and fire-breathing dragon. The dragon is animated using pneumatics and breathes fire every few minutes.
The Present
The Model Village is still evolving with new model and displays added each year. Newest additions include The Royal Crescent model, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a brand new 9-hole crazy golf course, an indoor whimsical walk-through ‘The Mythical Kingdom’ and our newest addition ‘European Tiny Towns’ indoor exhibit.
The Model Village Team –
Many of our maintenance and modelling staff have worked at the Model Village for many years, some since the 1980s. This shows a high level of dedication and loyalty.
The Park and Maintenanace Manager, Steve Hanlon, has worked here since the early 80s. Wayne Stott (Head of Figure Making) and Mark Hills (Head Gardener) have also been here since the 80s. Andy Clarke (Site Foreman) and Paul Ayshford (Lead Model Makaer) have been here since the late 90s.
Mike Rhodes, General Manager and Managing Director, has worked here since 2003. . Hayley Piper (Deputy General Manager) has been here since the late 90s.
Our lead customer service team, Jacqui Porter, Sally Pym, Marcus Clark and Sophie Pym have all been here for many years too.
Simon Wills worked at the Model Village for 50 years, and was General Manager for about 30 years, retired in 2022.
Planning a Visit?
Don’t forget to purchase our official Guide Book when you arrive, which covers everything you need to know about our beautiful Model Village. Complete with behind-the-scenes information and interviews, giving you a full insight into the making and history of Torquay’s famous well-known attraction.