The Vale Scene

The Vale Scene is probably the largest diorama based on accurately reproduced buildings, landscape and railways to be found anywhere. 

The Vale of White Horse is a rural area of Oxfordshire in the south of England. Many features of the Vale have either been demolished or significantly modified since the 1930s, leaving Pendon's Vale Scene as the sole representation of those times. 

We provide visitors with an understanding of many aspects of life in the 1930s through a combination of the models, our audio guide, and our volunteer guides who are very willing and able to answer questions and enlarge on aspects of particular interest.

Below is a short clip (50 seconds) taken from the driver's cab of a model locomotive as it travels through the Vale. 

Highlights from the Vale

Below are some images that illustrate the craftsmanship of our modellers -  in creating individual structures and in setting them into a realistic scene.

Tap/click to expand an image and read its caption.

  • Badbury Farm buildings show the developments of the farm over time, using whatever materials were available. Stone, brick and wood for the walls and doors, and the roofing materials are a pleasing array of thatch, tile, slate and corrugated iron.

    Badbury Farm buildings show the developments of the farm over time, using whatever materials were available. Stone, brick and wood for the walls and doors, and the roofing materials are a pleasing array of thatch, tile, slate and corrugated iron.

  • Duck’s Stores has its origins as far back as 1550. It has served the village as a village store since the 19th century. This model was completed in 2012. The extensive roofs have approximately 31,000 tiles, each one individually painted and weathered.

    Duck’s Stores has its origins as far back as 1550. It has served the village as a village store since the 19th century. This model was completed in 2012. The extensive roofs have approximately 31,000 tiles, each one individually painted and weathered.

  • Two up-trains at Pendon Parva junction.

    Two up-trains at Pendon Parva junction.

  • Upper Mill and the miller’s house are reflected in the mill pond. Outside a GWR Express Cartage Thorneycroft truck is loaded with the miller’s sacks.

    Upper Mill and the miller’s house are reflected in the mill pond. Outside a GWR Express Cartage Thorneycroft truck is loaded with the miller’s sacks.

  • A Great Western Railway 'Mogul' 2-6-0 tender engine at Pendon Parva Railway Station with its westbound goods train

    A Great Western Railway 'Mogul' 2-6-0 tender engine at Pendon Parva Railway Station with its westbound goods train

  • Britchcombe Farm sits in a fold in the downs, with mature English Elm trees as a backdrop. The farm buildings, in brick, chalk and wood sit around it and the rear of Canney Row, a row of cottages, can be seen, closest to us.

    Britchcombe Farm sits in a fold in the downs, with mature English Elm trees as a backdrop. The farm buildings, in brick, chalk and wood sit around it and the rear of Canney Row, a row of cottages, can be seen, closest to us.

  • Priory Cottages were originally a 14th century manor house that then became a grange and later cottages, which they are in our model.

    Priory Cottages were originally a 14th century manor house that then became a grange and later cottages, which they are in our model.

  • GWR 'City' class 4-4-0 'City of London' takes the Oxford line at Pendon Parva Junction with a train for Birkenhead

    GWR 'City' class 4-4-0 'City of London' takes the Oxford line at Pendon Parva Junction with a train for Birkenhead

  • At Childrey Smithy the blacksmith shares a tale or two with one of his customers.

    At Childrey Smithy the blacksmith shares a tale or two with one of his customers.

  • Pendon founder Roye England is modelled surveying the Chapel Group of buildings.

    Pendon founder Roye England is modelled surveying the Chapel Group of buildings.

  • 4100 Class 4-4-0 locomotive Badminton in charge of a Paddington to Oxford train in 1927.

    4100 Class 4-4-0 locomotive Badminton in charge of a Paddington to Oxford train in 1927.

  • Wharf Cottage and The Carpenters Arms public house lead our view over the canal bridge and to the railway crossing where a train is expected.

    Wharf Cottage and The Carpenters Arms public house lead our view over the canal bridge and to the railway crossing where a train is expected.

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Pendon recaptures scenes from the English countryside as it was in the 1920s and 1930s using exquisite models to explain a past era and a different way of life.

Pendon Museum Trust , Long Wittenham , Abingdon , Oxfordshire , OX14 4QD