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Pendon Museum, Long Wittenham

4.6

Must see · History Museum · Museum

Pendon Museum, located in Long Wittenham near Didcot, Oxfordshire, England, is a museum that displays scale models, in particular a large scene representing parts of the Vale of White Horse in the 1920s and 1930s. The scene, under construction since the 1950s and with parts dating back earlier, was inspired by detailed research into the architecture and landscape of the vale, with some models of cottages taking hundreds of hours to complete. It was founded by the late Roye England, (an anglophile Australian who lived in England), and run jointly by the late English Model Maker, Guy Williams, (who made fifty-seven of the museum's ninety railways).

They can be seen working together in the 1958 British Pathé short, 'Hair Thatching'.

The museum is run by a group of volunteers and is open to the public most weekends and holidays, except during the winter.

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234 reviews

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4.6

By TWSS601

Be prepared for a surprise. This is not just a model railway, it is a visual historical record of rural life ninety years ago. The modelling demonstrated in the the village and the countryside scenes.... more »
By Racross

Superb if you understand modelling. Worth a visit if you appreciate quality models. It takes you back in time and is explained by knowledgable volunteers. I suggest you go round twice as you miss a... more »
By yeovil81

A great little museum with fabulous historical railway layouts and run by enthusiastic and very helpful volunteers. 4 year old granddaughter loved it and was given her own step so she could see... more »

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By Len Harvey

A must see if your a railway modeller, parent, child in fact anyone. The fine scale of work to create this masterpiece is amazing. This is so realistic you feel you could be looking a a real scene from 1930. Wait for the night effect before you go. Well Worth another visit.

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By Dave

Absolutely fantastic. Great place to spend a couple of hours, the attention to detail and skill invested in the models here is second to none. Well worth a visit even if you're not a model railway fan.

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By Peter Meherne

We went with our daughter and two grandchildren (4 and 12). The displays are fantastic and plenty to see for old and young. The detail of the models is outstanding with plenty of background information. There is a quiz for you to spot various items round the museum which the 12 year old enjoyed and the kid’s model making session was a real success for both. Many thanks to the volunteer who did this as he was great at drawing out the 4 year old who can by shy with strangers.

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By Tom Blackburn

Unbelievably detailed model landscapes across several rooms. The volunteers there are really friendly and will tell you everything you need to know. 1 house takes 1000 hours!

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By William Sanderson

Whilst unloading materials for a building job, noticed the museum but unfortunately did not have the time to investigate the information set within the building, as far as I know it relates to an era around the 30's which is when agriculture and the railways were in their hayday. Might be a good little insight to back then.

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