Miniature Trains, Vintage Toys & Knitted Wonders: Wroxham Miniature Worlds
We were recently kindly gifted a visit to Wroxham Miniature Worlds, and it’s safe to say we were impressed by this one-of-a-kind attraction. This is a fantastic place to spend a few hours during a Norfolk holiday – especially if you’re looking for something fun, unique, and suitable for all the family.
Located in Wroxham, right in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK! Stretching over an impressive 10,000 square feet in total, it is perfect for a half-day trip or as a rainy-day option during your stay in Norfolk.
There is so much to see, starting with the Great British Layout – a huge OO gauge scenic display that spans over 500 square feet! Watching the model trains weave their way through the countryside, into tunnels, and over bridges is mesmerising and shows off an incredible level of detail.
From there, you can travel across the globe without leaving the building. The European Railway Layout – the largest HO scale display for public viewing in the UK – brings a bustling European city to life, with moving vehicles, tiny model people, and a theme park. Equally impressive is the Japanese Railway Layout, the largest N gauge layout in the UK, with trains zooming through a high-rise city and along a detailed coastline.
But trains are only part of the story here. One of our favourite parts was the Dolls House Collection, which features handmade creations from local artist Sue Wylie. After her passing, her family and friends helped to bring her dream to reality, including a recreation of her workshop with unfinished projects and tiny handmade miniatures – a truly heartfelt and beautifully presented tribute.
There is also the Vintage Toy Collection, which is a nostalgic goldmine, spotting toys which are familiar from years ago! With hundreds of toys, action figures, and games from across the decades, you can relive your childhood or show your children what toys were like before screens took over!
We had a lot of fun in the Vintage Penny Arcades too – trying out mechanical horse racing games, giggling with ‘Jolly Jack’ and watching the wonderfully quirky Bimbo Box, a restored 1960s coin-operated machine featuring a monkey puppet band.
Another standout feature is the display by Margaret Seaman, a talented knitter from Great Yarmouth who has raised over £170,000 for local charities through her detailed woollen installations. Her work is as touching as it is impressive, and we were delighted to be able to meet her during our trip, too.
Before heading home, you can grab a drink or ice cream at the on-site café and browse the toy and model shop for souvenirs to take home with you.
If you're holidaying in Norfolk and looking for something different to do for a few hours, Wroxham Miniature Worlds is well worth a visit – creative, nostalgic, and thoroughly enjoyable for the whole family.