Tucktonia
Encyclopedia
Tucktonia was a late 1970s theme park
located on Stour Road, Christchurch
, Dorset
, England
. It was officially opened on 23 May 1976 by Arthur Askey
. It originally occupied 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) of the 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) Tuckton Park Leisure Complex. The park was closed down in 1986, having become rather run-down and neglected. The site has since been redeveloped for residential use.
layout, which included a representation of London
.
The 7.25 inches (184.2 mm) narrow gauge ride-on steam train
and some additional fixtures and fittings, were moved to the Moors Valley Railway
in the Moors Valley Country Park
near Ringwood
, Hampshire
.
It is rumoured that just prior to the closure of the park, the owners wanted to build a roller coaster
at the rear of the site, but were refused permission by the local council
. Following the refusal, the park closed shortly afterwards.
Bekonscot
Model Village in Buckinghamshire
provided much inspiration for the designers, one of whom had his office near Bekonscot and was a frequent visitor. The bulk of the models were built by KLF Ltd, who later went on to design similar models at Brittania Park (known as "The American Adventure" theme park by the time of its demise in 2006). Tucktonia was the brainchild of former double British Formula 3 champion Harry Stiller
who in 2006 still lived in the area.
The entire model village was believed destroyed when the park closed. However one model survives... this being Buckingham Palace
, which was acquired, restored and put on display at the Wimborne Model Town
, Wimborne Minster
in 2002, and moved to Merrivale Model Village, Great Yarmouth
in 2006.
There are numerous unsubstantiated rumours that the models were not destroyed after the closure of the park – the main one being that they were instead placed into storage within a barn
where they remained until 2001, when the building burnt down.
BBC Television
's Multi-Coloured Swap Shop
show broadcast live from the park on one occasion.
The park's model London was used extensively in the obscure 1976 King Kong
spoof Queen Kong
.
called "The Olde Colonial", then, at a later date, "Bar Max". It is not clear whether the establishment was simply renamed, or whether a new building was constructed.
At a later unknown date these buildings were cleared, and a number of retirement flats
were built. These currently occupy the former site.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
located on Stour Road, Christchurch
Christchurch, Dorset
Christchurch is a borough and town in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. The town adjoins Bournemouth in the west and the New Forest lies to the east. Historically in Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974 and is the most easterly borough in...
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was officially opened on 23 May 1976 by Arthur Askey
Arthur Askey
Arthur Bowden Askey CBE was a prominent English comedian.- Life and career :Askey was born at 29 Moses Street, Liverpool, the eldest child and only son of Samuel Askey , secretary of the firm Sugar Products of Liverpool, and his wife, Betsy Bowden , of Knutsford, Cheshire...
. It originally occupied 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) of the 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) Tuckton Park Leisure Complex. The park was closed down in 1986, having become rather run-down and neglected. The site has since been redeveloped for residential use.
General information
The park was best known for its large model villageMiniature park
A miniature park is an open space that displays miniature buildings and models, and is usually open to the public. A miniature park may contain a model of a single city or town, often called a miniature city or model village, or it can contain a number of different sets of models...
layout, which included a representation of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The 7.25 inches (184.2 mm) narrow gauge ride-on steam train
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
and some additional fixtures and fittings, were moved to the Moors Valley Railway
Moors valley railway
The Moors Valley Railway is a 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge passenger railway, in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath, Dorset, England near Ringwood in Hampshire. There are 17 steam engines and 2 diesel engines. The railway is fully signalled, with two signal boxes, one in a Great Western...
in the Moors Valley Country Park
Moors Valley Country Park
Moors Valley Country Park, officially Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, is a Country Park situated in Ashley Heath, Dorset on the border with Hampshire, in the south of England....
near Ringwood
Ringwood
Ringwood is a historic market town and civil parish in Hampshire, England, located on the River Avon, close to the New Forest and north of Bournemouth. It has a history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, and has held a weekly market since the Middle Ages....
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
.
It is rumoured that just prior to the closure of the park, the owners wanted to build a roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
at the rear of the site, but were refused permission by the local council
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
. Following the refusal, the park closed shortly afterwards.
Bekonscot
Bekonscot
Bekonscot in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, is the oldest original model village in the world.It portrays aspects of England mostly dating from the 1930s. Bekonscot has been run by the Church Army since 1978 and donates large amounts of money to charity...
Model Village in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
provided much inspiration for the designers, one of whom had his office near Bekonscot and was a frequent visitor. The bulk of the models were built by KLF Ltd, who later went on to design similar models at Brittania Park (known as "The American Adventure" theme park by the time of its demise in 2006). Tucktonia was the brainchild of former double British Formula 3 champion Harry Stiller
Harry Stiller
Harry Stiller is a retired British motor racing driver and former British Formula Three Champion. His racing career covered the years between 1958 and 1969 and he drove a variety of different classes of cars...
who in 2006 still lived in the area.
The entire model village was believed destroyed when the park closed. However one model survives... this being Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
, which was acquired, restored and put on display at the Wimborne Model Town
Wimborne Model Town
Wimborne Model Town, situated on the edge of the town of Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, is one of the largest and most established model towns in England...
, Wimborne Minster
Wimborne Minster
Wimborne Minster is a market town in the East Dorset district of Dorset in South West England, and the name of the Church of England church in that town...
in 2002, and moved to Merrivale Model Village, Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
in 2006.
There are numerous unsubstantiated rumours that the models were not destroyed after the closure of the park – the main one being that they were instead placed into storage within a barn
Barn
A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment...
where they remained until 2001, when the building burnt down.
BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
's Multi-Coloured Swap Shop
Multi-Coloured Swap Shop
Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, more commonly known simply as Swap Shop, is a UK children's television programme. It was broadcast on Saturday mornings on BBC1 for 146 episodes in six series between 1976 and 1982...
show broadcast live from the park on one occasion.
The park's model London was used extensively in the obscure 1976 King Kong
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
spoof Queen Kong
Queen Kong
Queen Kong 1976 British comedy film spoofing King Kong. The film was never released theatrically in the UK, due to legal action by Dino De Laurentiis, producer of the 1976 King Kong remake. It got limited release in Italy and Germany. The film has since resurfaced on DVD.The film has a cult...
.
Places and buildings featured in the model village
- Christchurch PrioryChristchurch PrioryChristchurch Priory is an ecclesiastical parish and former priory church in Christchurch in the English county of Dorset .-Early history:...
- Prospect of Whitby (London pub)Prospect of Whitby (London pub)The Prospect of Whitby is a historic public house on the banks of the Thames at Wapping in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It lays claim to being the site of the oldest riverside tavern, dating from around 1520. It was formerly known as the Devil’s Tavern, on account of its dubious reputation....
- High Street, Great BritainHigh StreetHigh Street, or the High Street, is a metonym for the generic name of the primary business street of towns or cities, especially in the United Kingdom. It is usually a focal point for shops and retailers in city centres, and is most often used in reference to retailing...
– a re-creation of a "typical" British High Street - London's Tower BridgeTower BridgeTower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...
, The Victoria EmbankmentVictoria EmbankmentThe Victoria Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and river walk along the north bank of the River Thames in London. Victoria Embankment extends from the City of Westminster into the City of London.-Construction:...
, The Houses of ParliamentPalace of WestminsterThe Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
, Westminster BridgeWestminster BridgeWestminster Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames between Westminster on the north side and Lambeth on the south side, in London, England....
, Cleopatra's NeedleCleopatra's NeedleCleopatra's Needle is the popular name for each of three Ancient Egyptian obelisks re-erected in London, Paris, and New York City during the nineteenth century. The London and New York ones are a pair, while the Paris one comes from a different original site where its twin remains...
, HMS "Discovery"RRS DiscoveryThe RRS Discovery was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship to be built in Britain. Designed for Antarctic research, she was launched in 1901. Her first mission was the British National Antarctic Expedition, carrying Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on their first, successful...
, The National Westminster TowerTower 42Tower 42 is the second tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the fifth tallest in London overall. The original name was the National Westminster Tower, having been built to house the National Westminster Bank's International Division. Seen from above, the tower closely resembles the NatWest...
, Piccadilly CircusPiccadilly CircusPiccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster, built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with the major shopping street of Piccadilly...
Rides and attractions present whilst the park was operating
After closure
After the park closed in 1986, the buildings and fixtures were cleared and the land used at first for a public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
called "The Olde Colonial", then, at a later date, "Bar Max". It is not clear whether the establishment was simply renamed, or whether a new building was constructed.
At a later unknown date these buildings were cleared, and a number of retirement flats
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
were built. These currently occupy the former site.