Model attraction sees booming interest since pandemic

You could describe it as a 'model attraction'.

Wroxham Miniature World, based in Station Road West, Hoveton, claims to be the country's largest indoor modelling centre with some of the biggest model railways in the world on permanent display.

And its manager, 31-year-old Robert Green, said interest in model trains and toys of all kind had boomed since the start of pandemic, as many people found more time to spend on hobbies.

Mr Green said: "There has been quite an uptake since the lockdowns started. Hornby [model railways] have said that their sales have gone through the roof and we see a lot of people coming here looking for inspiration."

Mr Green said that when his dad, Sean Green, opened the site in 2012 it was aimed at enthusiasts, but now families made up most of their visitors.

The displays include Lego dioramas, a vintage penny arcade, a slot cars, dolls, model ships and model train displays which recreate different eras and parts of the world, including Japan, the Alps, Holland and the Midlands in the 1960s.

Eastern Daily Press: The Japanese layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. The Japanese layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: The European layout, based on German, Austrian and Swiss Railways, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. The European layout, based on German, Austrian and Swiss Railways, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: The Great British layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. The Great British layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: A man taking photos of The Great British layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. A man taking photos of The Great British layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: A Hogwarts Express model train on The Great British layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. A Hogwarts Express model train on The Great British layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: The Scalextric layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. The Scalextric layout at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Wroxham Model Worlds. Wroxham Model Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: A man playing on a train simulator at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. A man playing on a train simulator at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: The Mumford family enjoying vintage arcade machines at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. The Mumford family enjoying vintage arcade machines at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Wroxham Miniature Worlds. Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Adam Macro, operations manager at Wroxham Miniature Worlds, placing the Hogwarts Express model on the track. Adam Macro, operations manager at Wroxham Miniature Worlds, placing the Hogwarts Express model on the track. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Ruth Baker, attraction operator at Wroxham Miniature Worlds, on the computer program that controls the train tracks. Ruth Baker, attraction operator at Wroxham Miniature Worlds, on the computer program that controls the train tracks. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Adam Macro, operations manager, Ruth Baker, attraction operator, and Robert Green, company director, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. Adam Macro, operations manager, Ruth Baker, attraction operator, and Robert Green, company director, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Robert Green, company director, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. Robert Green, company director, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Robert Green, company director, Ruth Baker, attraction operator, and Adam Macro, operations manager, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. Robert Green, company director, Ruth Baker, attraction operator, and Adam Macro, operations manager, at Wroxham Miniature Worlds. (Image: Archant 2021)