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Model Villages & Miniature Railways in Manchester
This category is more about miniature trains than model villages around Manchester, and it is worth ranging out a bit for them. iFLY Manchester Indoor Skydiving is only about 8 km from the centre if you fancy something different first, letting kids as young as three float in the wind tunnel from £29.99. Out at Bury you can board a heritage steam or diesel train at Summerseat Station on the East Lancashire Railway, though there are no facilities at that particular stop. High Legh Miniature Railway near Knutsford charges from £3 for a half-kilometre loop, with a play area and a pound to go round again. For free days out, Blakemere Village in Northwich costs nothing to get in and adds Segway forest rides, falconry and archery alongside its mini railway, with a playground for children too small for the rest. Pavilion Gardens in Buxton is also free, with outdoor play and a paid miniature train or boats when you want a treat, both of these a longer trip out. Thompson Park in Burnley has a miniature train too, though it only runs when there's enough demand, so it suits a spontaneous visit rather than a planned one.
7 places 3 free to visit
FreeBlakemere Village
Northwich
Free entry village with a mini railway, Segway forest rides, falconry and archery, plus a playground for the ones too small for any of it.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCafé+9 more
East Lancashire Railway - (Summerseat Station)
Bury
Board a heritage steam or diesel train at Summerseat and let the kids spot the countryside from the window, with no facilities at this particular station.
CaféFood on siteParkingRestaurant+1 more
from £3High Legh Miniature Railway
Knutsford
A half-kilometre miniature train ride round a track near Knutsford, with a play area and a keep-your-ticket deal to go round again for a pound.
Baby changeBike parkingDog friendlyFree parking+3 more
from £29.99iFLY Manchester Indoor Skydiving
Manchester · ages 3+
A vertical wind tunnel that lets you float on a cushion of air, with kids as young as three able to have a go.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredFree parkingGroup bookings+3 more
FreePavilion Gardens
Buxton
Free Victorian gardens with outdoor play parks, then hop the miniature train or boats when you fancy a paid treat.
ToiletsParkingCaféRestaurant+6 more
Thompson Park Miniature Railway (BPMRS)
Burnley
A quick miniature train ride round Thompson Park, running whenever there's demand rather than to a timetable.
FreeWorden Park
Leyland · ages 0-99
Free park with a hedge maze, mini golf, a model railway and a playground, plus woods and meadows to wander through.
Bike parkingCaféDog friendlyFree parking+1 more
Good to know: model villages & miniature railways in Manchester
Are any of them free?
Yes, Blakemere Village, Pavilion Gardens and Worden Park are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £3 at High Legh Miniature Railway. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find model villages & miniature railways in Northwich, Bury, Knutsford, Manchester, Buxton and 2 more. Every place we list is in or around Manchester, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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