
Everybody, especially grown-ups and young kids, loves scale models. That’s everything from large radio-controlled model aircraft and ships – through detailed model cars, trucks, tanks, figures, space & sci-fi, scenes & dioramas – to elaborate model railways in all gauges down to tiny z-scale. There are whole worlds in miniature on display at model engineering shows, exhibitions and other events, for the whole family to enjoy. And the entry fees are usually as ‘cheap as chips’!
So, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood when a model show/display is taking place, why not pop along?
These are some of the shows and exhibitions in 2025 that I’m aware of so far.
Gaydon Indoor Model Show | 30 Mar 25 | British Motor Museum, Lighthorne Heath, Warwick CV35 0BJ | The Large Model Association’s event postponed from Oct 24. |
Macclesfield Model Railway Exhibition | 05/06 Apr 25 | Tytherington School, Macclesfield SK10 2EE | Local railway modeller group annual exhibition |
Shildon Model Railway Club Spring Exhibition | 05/06 Apr 25 | Locomotion, 1 Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 2RE | Model railway exhibition with 20+ layouts and 20+ trade stands, plus displays and modelling society stands. |
Cheltenham Model Railway Exhibition | 05/06 Apr 25 | St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU | Fifteen layouts plus displays (inc model road vehicles) and trade stands. |
Yeovil Model Show | 06 Apr 25 | Westfield Academy, Stiby Rd, Yeovil BA21 3EP | Plastic scale model show with 61 clubs showing off their model ships, planes and vehicles, plus 19 traders. |
East Midlands Model Show | 06 Apr 25 | Hinkley Leisure Centre, Argents Mead, Hinkley LE10 1BZ | Wide range of scale plastic models. |
Sword & Lance Show | 12 Apr 25 | Northern Echo Arena, Darlington DL2 1DL | Figurines, military figures and plastic scale models. It’ll be the Darlington Military Modelling Society’s 50th Anniversary Show. |
HWDMRS – MRX25 Spring | 12 Apr 25 | Cressex Community Centre & Social Club, 203 Cressex Road, High Wycombe HP12 4PZ. | The High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society’s sping show will have 12 layouts and 5 traders. |
Poole Vikings Show | 12 Apr 25 | Parkstone Grammar School, Poole BH17 7EP | Scale plastic model show |
Norwich MRC Exhibition | 12 Apr 25 | Hellsdon High-School, Middletons Lane, Norwich NR6 5SB | The Norwich Model Railway Club exhibition has 19 layouts lined up, plus demos, societies and 15 traders. |
Royston Model Railway Exhibition | 12 Apr 25 | Bassingbourn Village College, Royston SG8 5NJ | Royston & District Model Railway Club exhibition with around 19 layouts plus demos, societies and traders. |
National Garden Railway Show | 12 Apr 25 | NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth CV8 2LH | The 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers show featuring multiple layouts in a variety of garden scales, and a large number of trade stands. |
Felixstowe Radio Controlled Model Truck Show | 13 Apr 25 | Felixstowe Leisure Centre, 75 Undercliff Rd, Felixstowe IP11 2AE | Organised by Felixstowe Lions, this exhibition will have over 20 types of RC HGV’s on a large scale model road layout including ERF’s, Volvo F10’s, BEDFORD TK’s from the 70s & 80s. |
Norwich Model Boat Club – Military Day | 21 Apr 25 | Model Boat Club, Eaton Park, Norwich NR4 7AU | The NMBC has a busy programme of events between Apr – Oct for RC yachts, warships, tugs, steamships and submarines on its large pond in Eaton park, and also for RC Trucks, 4×4’s and Tanks alongside. This Gala Day opens the season. |
G1MRA Spring Show | 26 Apr 2025 | Statfold Barn, Statfold Country Park, Ashby Road, Tamworth B79 0BU | The Gauge One Model Railway Association (G1MRA) which focuses on large scale steam locomotives and garden railways, usually (details not in yet) has a large track layout and Gauge One exhibits. |
Model World Live | 26/27 Apr 25 | National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT | The second edition of this national scale model and model railway engineering show. |
Scottish National Scale Model Show | 26/27 Apr 25 | Live Active Dewars Centre, Perth TH2 0PH | Plastic scale model exhibition |
Bressingham Model Railway Show | 27 Apr 25 | Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens, Low Road, Diss IP22 2AA | Eighteen layouts of varying gauges and types and demo/society stands, plus trade stands. The steam museum will also be operating its 3 Narrow Gauge Lines and its Standard Gauge line. |
Bristol Model Railway Exhibition | 2-4 May 26 | Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 3JB | No details yet but last year’s show featured 17 Association of Model Railway Clubs Wales & West of England layouts, plus 16 guest layouts, plus traders etc. |
Saddleworth Model Railway Exhibition | 03-05 May 25 | Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery, High St, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6HS | Small fundraising (for guide dogs) exhibition with 5 layouts and 3 traders |
SWHMRS Annual Show | 10 May 25 | Queens’ School, Aldenham Rd, Bushey WD23 2TY | The South-West Herts Model Railway Society will be exhibiting 21 layouts in various gauges, plus visiting societies and traders. |
Calne Model Railway Show | 10/11 May 25 | Calne Leisure Centre, Calne SN11 0SP | Annual show with multiple layouts |
Popham Model Show | 10/11 May 25 | Popham Airfield, Coxford Down, Winchester SO21 3BD | Annual radio-control model aircraft show on Popham Airfield with statics displays of RC model cars, military vehicles, boats and more, plus traders. |
expoEM Spring Show | 10/11 May 25 | Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bracknell RG12 9SE | EM Gauge (4mm/ft) spring show |
Ely & District Model Railway Club exhibition | 17 May 25 | Ely College, Downham Rd, Ely CB6 3DY | Well-attended annual show. Last year had 15 layouts and a thousand visitors. |
Jarrow MRC Exhibition | 17/18 May 25 | Primrose Community Association, Jarrow NE32 6QY | Jarrow Model Railway Club annual exhibition showing around 12 layouts and 9 traders. |
de Havilland Aircraft Museum Model Show | 18 May 25 | de Havilland Aircraft Museum, London Colney AL2 1BU | Plastic scale model show with the real thing in the background |
Railex 2025 | 24/25 May 25 | Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Aylesbury HP21 9PP | Risborough and District Model Railway Club show with 17+ layouts |
Gauge O Guild – Summer Show | 31 May 25 | Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 5AQ | “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show. |
IPMS Salisbury Scale Model Show | 31 May 25 | Wyvern St Edmund’s Sports Hall, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 1RE | Annual plastic model show with displays from other clubs and trader stands. Being Salisbury it looks like there’s a preponderance of tanks! 😉 |
Milton Keynes Model Railway Society Annual Show | 07 Jun 25 | The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill, Milton Keynes MK12 5TH | A variety of operating layouts ranging from within the club and from visiting clubs and individuals. Last year they had around 22 layouts. Plus trade stands. |
Cam & Dursley Model Railway Exhibition | 08 Jun 25 | Dursley & District Community Centre, Dursley GL11 4BX | The Wings & Wheels Society’s second exhibition. Last year they had around a dozen layouts and the show was attended by 300 visitors. |
Weston Park International Model Airshow | 13-15 Jun 25 | Weston Park, Telford TF11 8LE | Three day model RC aircraft, helicopters and hovercraft show, now in its 29th year. |
East Anglia Model Show | 14 Jun 25 | Inspire Dome, Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9QX | Ipswich Branch of the International Plastic Modellers Society celebrating 20 years of modelling. |
Exe Model Railway Exhibition | 21 Jun 25 | Matford Centre, Matford Park Rd, Exeter EX2 8FD | Exe Model Railway Society’s annual exhibition. Last year (their jubilee year) they had 30+ layouts and 15 traders. |
Teesside Model Flying Club Airshow | 22/23 Jun 25 | TMFC, Stockton-on-Tees TS21 1EW | Large RC models on static display and flying |
Astolat MRC Exhibition | 29 Jun 25 | Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex, Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP | The Astolat Model Railway Club exhibition will feature over 40 layouts and trader stands. Layouts will be from N to G gauges. |
Sleap Large Model Airshow | 5/6 Jul 25 | Shropshire Aero Club, Harmer Hill, Shrewsbury SY4 3HE | Large RC model aircraft show |
Woodspring Wings Show | 12/13 Jul 25 | Woodspring Wings MAC, Claverham Drove, Yatton BS49 4RN | The Woodspring Wings Model Aircraft Show has been running for three decades and features model flying displays by some of the country’s top pilots, drawing 5000+ visitors. |
Felixstowe Area Group – N Gauge Model Railway Show | 19 Jul 25 | The Memorial Hall, Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe IP11 0RJ | Small N-gauge show with around 9 layouts |
Bridport & District MRC Summer Exhibition | 26 Jul 25 | The Sir John Colfox Academy, Ridgeway, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3DT | The Bridport & District Model Railway Club (no website) will have around forty layouts, traders and society/demo stands. |
Axminster Model Railway Exhibition | 27 Jul 25 | The Railway Kitchen, Station Yard, Axminster EX13 5PF | Fund-raising event for ‘The Love of a Railway’ model railway project – a work in progress recreating the old Axminster – Lyme Regis line. Last year they had around nine layouts on display |
Elvington Large Model Airshow | 9/10 Aug 25 | Elvington Airfield, Elvington, York YO41 4AU | Large RC model air show. (Next to the Yorkshire Air Museum – drop in!) |
Mid Suffolk Light Railway Model Mania & Hornby Collectors Show | 25/26 Aug 25 | Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PW | Modellers event day at the “Middy” heritage railway. |
Bridlington Model Railway Show | 06 Sep 25 | Bridlington CYP Sports Centre, Gypsey Road Bridlington YO16 4AY | Trainshed – the Bridlington Model Railway Group will display layouts in a range of scales from the very small Z gauge up to the much larger O gauge. |
IPMS Farnborough Modelfest | 06 Sep 25 | Hart Leisure Centre, Emerald Avenue, Fleet GU51 5HS | Plastic scale model show of aircraft, cars/trucks, ships, tanks/military vehicles, sci-fi & figures, plus plenty of trade stands. |
Gauge O Guild – Guildex | 6/7 Sep 25 | Bingley Hall, Stafford Showground, Stafford ST18 0BD | “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show. |
Much Markle Large Model Airshow | 6/7 Sep 25 | Much Markle Steam Show Site, Ledbury HR8 2LX | Large model air show |
Stow Maries Large Model Airshow | 13 Sep 25 | Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh, Chelmsford CM3 6RJ | Large scale model RC aircraft on display, plus static displays and traders. |
Swansea Model Railway Exhibition | 13/14 Sep 25 | Swansea Leisure Centre, Swansea SA1 3ST | The Swansea Railway Modellers Group’s 13th annual show. No details on size. |
International N-Gauge Show | 13/14 Sep 25 | Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa CV31 1FE | A range of modern, steam, continental and American N-gauge layouts, plus society displays and specialist suppliers. |
expoEM Autumn Show | 13/14 Sep 25 | Baildon Recreation Centre, Green Lane, Baildon, Shipley BD17 5JH | Fine scale EM Gauge (4mm/ft) railway layouts. |
Oxrail 2025 | 14 Sep 25 | Edward Feild School, Bicester Rd, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 2LG | Oxford & District Model Railway Club’s annual show. Last year they had around 9+ layouts, plus traders and local organisations. |
Culm Valley Model Railway Club Show | 20 Sep 25 | Willand Village Hall, Willand, Nr Cullumpton, Devon EX15 2PL | CVMRC will be showing layouts (last year there were 16) in a range of different gauges. |
Ayr Model Rail Show | 20/21 Sep 25 | Walker Hall, South Beach, Troon KA10 6EF | Annual show. Last year they had 12 layouts, plus trade stands. |
Spa Valley Railway Model Railway Show | 20/21 Sep 25 | Tunbridge Wells West Railway Station, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QL | This is Spa Valley’s 5th annual model railway show featuring at least 30 layouts in a variety of different scales, including N, OO, O, OO9, S and other gauges. |
Stafford Model Railway show | 27/28 Sep 25 | Bingley Hall, Stafford County Showground, Stafford ST18 0BD | Running for almost 60 years, the Stafford show claims to be the ‘largest established independent model railway show in the country’. With over 50 layouts last year it is certainly one of the biggest. |
Shildon Model Railway Club October Exhibition | 04/05 Oct 25 | Locomotion, 1 Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 4RE | Model railway exhibition with 20+ layouts and trade stands |
Aldershot Model Railway Exhibition | 11/12 Oct 25 | Alderwood Leisure Centre, Aldershot GU12 4AS | Farnham & District Model Railway Club will be showing 23+ layouts, plus demos and traders |
Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition | 16-19 Oct 25 | Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1FE | A 4-day show with over 30 clubs and societies displaying hundreds of exhibits in a wide range of scales, including locomotives & rolling stock, aircraft and marine models, stationary engines, and machine tools. Plus over 40 traders. |
SELMEC Meccano Show 2025 | 18 Oct 25 | Falconwood Community Centre, 31–39 Falconwood Parade, London DA16 2PG | In its 46th show, South East London Meccano Club is displaying working models of cars, cranes, trains, funfair rides and more, all built from Meccano, the famous construction toy invented by Frank Hornby in 1901, plus non-Meccano exhibits and activities. |
Greenock MRC annual show | 18/19 Oct 25 | Lyle Kirk, Union St, Greenock PA16 8DD | No details yet on the Greenock & District Model Railway Club’s 40th show. Last year they displayed 16 layouts, plus layouts from other clubs and trade stands. |
Poole Model Railway Exhibition | 19 Oct 25 | Poole Grammar School, Poole Hill, Poole BH17 9JU | No details yet from Poole & District Model Railway Society, but last year they had some 15 layouts, plus traders |
West Sussex N Gauge MRC Exhibition | 19 Oct 25 | Shoreham Baptist Church, Western Road, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5WD | West Sussex N Gauge Model Railway Club will be showing 11 of their layouts. |
Exeter Garden Railway Show | 25 Oct 25 | The Matford Centre, Marsh Barton Ind Estate, Exeter EX2 8FD | The South Devon Garden Railway Group’s 21st annual autumn show highlighting layouts and exhibits in promote railways from O gauge to Scale 3. |
Cheltenham Model Railway Exhibition | 25/26 Oct 25 | St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU | At least 8 layouts plus displays and trade stands. |
Spa Valley Railway Model Brick Show | 25/26 Oct 25 | Tunbridge Wells West Railway Station, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QL | They call it the Model Brick Show for copyright reasons – they mean LEGO! There’ll be a number of layouts and locomotives on display over the weekend, as well as models of aeroplanes and other things. |
Exeter Garden Railway Show | 26 Oct 25 | The Matford Centre, Marsh Barton Ind Estate, Exeter EX2 8FD | The South Devon Garden Railway Group’s annual show (their 22nd) showing live steam, electric and vintage exhibition layouts from O gauge to Scale 3 and everything in between, plus traders, etc |
West Wiltshire Gauge O Group Show | 01 Nov 25 | The Paragon Hall, High Street, Westbury BA13 3HA | This will be the group’s 25th annual show. Last year’s show had 4 x O gauge, 2 x OO and 1 x HO gauge layouts on display, and attracted over 200 visitors. |
Newbury Model Railway Exhibition | 01 Nov 25 | St Bartholomew’s School, Newbury RG14 6JP | Around 16 club layouts, plus demos and 8 traders. |
Spalding Model Railway Exhibition | 01/02 Nov 25 | Springfield Events Centre, Spalding PE12 6ET | Spalding MRC’s annual show. Last year they had around 20 layouts on display. |
LOMEX | 01/02 Nov 25 | East Coast College, Lowestoft NR32 2NB | The Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition has a mixture of scale models, steam traction engines & locomotives, RC aircraft and boats. |
WMRA Annual Exhibition | 01/02 Nov 25 | Weymouth College, Cranford Avenue, Weymouth DT4 7LQ | The Weymouth Model Railway Association will be displaying some 30+ layouts and exhibits, plus traders. |
IPMS Scale ModelWord | 08/09 Nov 25 | Telford International Centre, St Quentin Gate, Telford TF3 4JH | International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS) 27th annual show with over 190 displays featuring thousands of models, plus 120 traders. |
HWDMRS – MRX25 Autumn | 15 Nov 25 | Cressex Community Centre & Social Club, 203 Cressex Road, High Wycombe HP12 4PZ. | The High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society’s autumn show will have 10+ layouts in a variety of scales and gauges including N, TT, H0, 00, 7mm, and 00-9 narrow gauges, plus 5 traders. |
Blackpool Model Show | 15/16 Nov 25 | Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool FY2 9AA | Large show focused on RC and static model boats, ships, trucks, and tanks. |
Falkirk Model Railway Exhibition | 15/16 Nov 25 | Forth Valley College, Grangemouth Road, Falkirk FK2 9AD | Annual club show with around a dozen layouts |
Workington Model Railway Exhibition | 15/16 Nov 25 | ENERGUS, Blackwood Road, Lillyhall, Workington CA14 4JW | Eighteen Layouts, 8 demonstration stands, 8 society stands and 9 trade stands. |
National Festival of Railway Modelling | 22/23 Nov 25 | National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT | No details yet, but last year it was billed as the UKs largest railway modelling exhibition with over 60 of the country’s best model railways, and 70+ manufacturers, retailers, specialist suppliers and clubs/societies. |
Deganwy Railway Modellers | 23 Nov 24 | Craig Y Don Community Centre, Queens Road, Llandudno LL30 1TE | Sixteen layouts in various gauges, plus traders. Last year was DRM’s (no website) first exhibition, and despite atrocious weather conditions, over 400 people turned up. |
Gauge O Guild – Winter Show | 06 Dec 25 | Robin Park Leisure Centre, Newtown, Wigan WN5 0UL | “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show. |
NB. This page is being continually updated, but things change: events get postponed, cancelled or there’s a change of venue. Always double-check on the organiser’s website before visiting.