Burford Dolls' House

What is it?

Hey there, kids! Have you heard of the Burford Dolls' House? At first it looks as if it was a really cool toy that was made by some very talented people a long time ago. Back in the 1930s, there was a group called the Burford Committee of Art and Craftsmanship that made this house. Led by a local artist named Helen Byrne Bryce, they built it not as a toy but to show off all the different crafts that were still being done in their district. Now, you might be wondering what "Arts and Crafts Movement" means. Well, back in the late 1800s, lots of artists and craftsmen in the Cotswolds area started getting really interested in making things by hand, instead of using machines. They wanted to make sure their work was high-quality and focused on useful design. That's why they used simpler, more traditional methods and good materials, like wood and stone. But let's get back to the dolls' house! Over 60 people helped make it - some of them were famous artists and craftsmen and women, and others were talented locals from Burford. The house has a really cool design on the outside, based on a real building in the town. The inside is decorated to look like an 18th-century home, with all kinds of little pieces of furniture and decorations that are really detailed and to scale. That means every inch in the house is equal to a whole foot in real life! The Burford Dolls' House has been on display in a museum since 1960, and lots of families like to go see it because it's so interesting and fun to look at. So, if you're ever in Burford, make sure to check it out!