Yesterday Buster mentioned about bath time and that the chew monster had come out from his lair under the stairs and he was not sure as to why.

Well, all wall was revealed when, after a good few hours, they returned with those humans we go to visit after the long car ride.It seems that they all met up at an unusual garden centre in the North of England, just near Scotland, I think they said.

Garden Centre – Houghton Hall

My mum went on and on about this place and it seems as well as the plants, rocks, trees and shrubs, they have a secret bunker like room, below the main shopping area, devoted to a miniature world.

It would seem that many people visit the garden centre but just don’t visit this part of the centre, which is a shame because my mum just went on and on about it. If I hear ‘ and it’ or ‘it was tiny’ or and did you see?’ one more time I think I will just need to go to the garden, sit on the seat and watch the world by myself.

The miniature world has to be seen to be believed she says, as it is like stepping in to an Alice in Wonderland world of tiny things.

Most of the displays are what are called 12th scale -so things that would normally be one foot in height are made, right down to the very last detail at 1 inch in height. This includes bottles, books, chairs and even curtains and wallpaper.

The detail is fantastic and you have to use the magnifying glass provided to really see into the tiny world.

As you step into the museum you are greeted by some hand stitched needlework to your left and the start of the many miniature rooms to your right. The needlework is at times 19,000 stitches per square inch

This level of detail starts to prepare you for the main attractions which are the set piece room layouts. You can see music rooms with the intricate crafting of instruments and businesses such as a butchers shop displaying all sorts of cut meat and pies.

After about ten minutes your brain seems to shrink the world and you seem to step into this small world. You look around and can see the small typeface blocks waiting to be used in the print room or the small spider and web in the corner of the downstairs kitchen.

Some of the key designers are also respected. You can see rooms with a Rene Mackintosh influence and grand state rooms with copies, in miniature, of the Art Masters.

The favourite exhibit of all was the library. With it’s leather bound books, ship in a bottle and writing desk. The detail and attention to scale are breathtaking so mum says…. again and again… and again.

Further information can be found on their website A World in Miniature Museum

Thats all for now until the next time

Charlie and Buster