Merrivale Model Village Great Yarmouth

We received complimentary tickets to Merrivale Model Village Great Yarmouth

Over October Half Term we went to Great Yarmouth for a day trip. It is only 2 hours from Peterborough and this is our 3rd day trip so far this year and we still haven’t experienced everything on offer! We popped to Merrivale Model Village after our lunch stop at Sara’s TeaRoom which is pretty much next door almost! I love Model Villages, it has been a few years since I last went to one, in fact it was during a holiday to Paighton in Devon. So I was super excited to see what Merrivale had set up! Even more so because it is Halloween.

Merrivale Model Village

When you arrive at Merrivale Model Village you get a photo taken of the entire group, you are given a little ticket stub to take to the gift shop at the end. The photo green screens you with various backgrounds to create a lovely memento of your trip to Merrivale Model Village. When you walk through to the start of the village you are instantly hit with what is to come! Lots of little set ups, each telling a story. We loved every moment!

We were pleasantly surprised with how big Merrivale Model Village is too! The paths are all accessible for pushchairs and we even saw a mobility scooter too. The Village was set up as a one way system and there are benches placed around so you can sit and take in the atmosphere. There are also interactive elements of Merrivale too! There are buttons on some of the models, such as a house with a button that makes the garage door close onto a car bonnet! Also the space rocket where smoke forms underneath, and the tannoy talks to the model village people about the space launch.

In the centre of the model village there is large pond with koi carp, you can feed them via the little machines, at an additional cost, I believe it was 20p. There is also a running train that goes around, however the day we visited the train wasn’t running.

We loved the hospital and Mark was the first to spot the doctors and patients through the window. Merrivale Model Village did a great job at entertaining all the ages, we were really amused! WE spent a good few hours especially as the weather was on the good side for us. It is all outside until you reach the gift shop at the end, so make sure to pack umbrellas and coats if the weather isn’t looking that great.

The Gift shop was pretty much what you expect it to be, souvenirs of Great Yarmouth and small toys and sweet things, however there is also an old penny arcade which looked amazing. We didn’t bring any actual cash with us, so unfortunately was unable to use it. However for £1 you can get 12 old pennies to play in the games, which I am pretty sure the boys would have loved!

We would totally recommend a visit here, it was an absolutely fantastic place to visit and the thought that has gone into each and every single model was obvious! There was something for everyone and we all had an absolute blast exploring it all. So make sure next time you are in Great Yarmouth you check out Merrivale Model Village on the seafront!