Woodleigh Replicas was a park of miniatures situated in the rural community of

Burlington Burlington may refer to: Places Canada Geography * Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador * Burlington, Nova Scotia * Burlington, Ontario, the most populous city with the name "Burlington" * Burlington, Prince Edward Island * Burlington Bay, no ...

outside

Kensington, Prince Edward Island Kensington is a Canadian town located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is northeast of the city of Summerside. In 2021, its population was 1,812. History The area was first known as Five Lanes End, as roads from five differen ...

on a 30-acre site. The visitor attraction opened in 1957 and closed in May 2008. In 2021 the property was purchased and the new owners began a restoration of the main structure, the Tower of London, as well as Dunvegan Castle. Though no longer intended as a tourist attraction, they are expected to be used for private rentals and events under the brand name Woodleigh Castles.

Beginnings

It was started about 1945 by Ernest Johnstone, a veteran of World War I and his son Archibald Johnstone, a veteran of World War II. Construction continued through the 1970s. The elder Johnstone, of Scottish descent, named it after his ancestral home in Annandale.Wayne Thibodeau
"Woodleigh Replicas up for sale"
''Journal-Pioneer'' (Summerside), May 29, 2008

Features

It featured replicas at varying scales of landmarks from the United Kingdom including St. Paul's Cathedral, Anne Hathaway's cottage, Shakespeare's birthplace, The Old Curiosity Shop, and Dunvegan Castle. The most ambitious feature is a replica of the Tower of London, which covers a substantial portion of the site and which includes the Armories and replicas of the Crown Jewels.

Closure

The attraction was closed due to falling attendance and the declining health of its last private owner, Peter Steele. The province (Government of Prince Edward Island), which held the mortgage, failed to find a buyer for the property when it was first offered for sale in June, 2008.

Woodleigh Castles

In 2021 the property was purchased by a new private owner. Some of the property was subdivided into building lots and restoration and reconstruction work was started on the two main structures, Dunvegan Castle and the Tower of London. Though no longer intended as a tourist attraction, they have been rebranded as Woodleigh Castles, and it is expected they will be used for private rentals and as an event venue.

References

{{Reflist

External links