This is the story of Britain`s model villages: miniature worlds that have captivated garden guests and paying public since the early twentieth century.This history of these small-scale utopias covers their early growth as playthings of the wealthy, their blossoming into fairylands on seafronts during the post-war holiday boom, and of many model villages` gradual decline from toy-towns to ghost towns.But it is also the story of how diligent modelmakers, artists and crafters have carried on in the sheds, gardens and workshops of Britain to build small - yet think big. Today we still delight in their miniature marvels, and this book explains why.This book is part of the Britain`s Heritage series, which provides definitive introductions to the riches of Britain`s past, and is the perfect way to get acquainted with model villages in all their variety.