Tucktonia
| Location | Christchurch, Dorset, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°43′55″N 1°47′24″W / 50.732°N 1.790°WCoordinates: 50°43′55″N 1°47′24″W / 50.732°N 1.790°W |
| Opened | May 23, 1976 |
| Closed | 1986 |
| Area | 4 acres (16,000 m2) |
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 (16,000 m2) of the 21-acre (85,000 m2) Tuckton Park Leisure Complex. The park was closed down in 1986. The site has since been redeveloped for residential use.
The park was best known for its large model village layout, which included a representation of London.
The 7.25-inch (184 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.
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