One man’s labour of love – which took 30 years to complete – has found a new home at a Lake District hotel.
Retired builder Edward Robinson has created 100 slate models of some of the Lake District’s most distinctive buildings – from Ambleside’s Bridge House to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top.
The miniature Lakeland village was set out in the garden of their Flookburgh home and attracted 6,000 visitors a year. But in 2021 Edward, and his wife Kathleen, decided to close it in the hope that someone else would take it on.
Their call was answered by Jonathan Denby, who owns hotels, guest houses and B&Bs across South Cumbria.
This month, The Lakeland Model Village opens in the grounds of the Damson Dene Hotel, just 10 minutes from Bowness-on-Windermere.
Jonathan says Edward’s miniature works of art represent great skill, attention to detail and patience and that the level of craftsmanship is amazing.
He said: “People are completely enthralled and fascinated by miniature worlds, and all the work that goes into creating them.
“I am sure this microcosm of Lake District landmarks will really appeal to our overseas visitors too, particularly our Japanese and Chinese guests.
“They can visit miniature version of Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top home, Townend Farmhouse at Troutbeck, Slaters Bridge in Little Langdale, the Bridge House, in Ambleside and Yew Tree Farm, near Coniston – among others.”
Local builder, Carl Taylor has recreated the village in the hotel grounds, which has taken a year.
Another addition to the garden, are life-sized bronzes of Beatrix Potter, sat on a bench and talking to a standing John Ruskin. They are by Lancaster-based sculptor Alan Ward, a fellow of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
