Rachel Hill was set to ‘sail off into the sunset’ after selling her previous business but now runs Bondville ‘from the heart’
A businesswoman who took over Yorkshire’s only model village after falling in love with the “acre of magic” two years ago has told of her joy at being nominated for a top award. Mum-of-three Rachel Hill had been planning to step back from the world of business to spend more time with her family in 2023, having just agreed to sell her successful nursery business Hillside Childcare to a national firm.
But after seeing a picture of Bondville Model Village online – the region’s only model village with more than 200 buildings and a quaint tea room, nestled beside the sea at Sewerby, near Bridlington – and learning it was up for sale, she took a leap of faith and bought it. Rachel, who has three sons Woody, 13, Tommy, 15, and Alfie 23, signed a deal to buy the site in October 2023.
It reopened in May 2024 and investment was ploughed into the village, which had been closed for two years. Two years on, Rachel has been named as a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Representing the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the inspiring business leader has been shortlisted in the Early Stage Stand Out category – a fantastic recognition of her entrepreneurial vision and dedication.
She said: “I’m in shock at being a finalist at the awards. I get really embedded in what I do! But I’m really proud and so thrilled – and I think it’s because I’m so happy. It’s just real life, heart-warming, good-old-fashioned fun – no screens, no electrics, just a model village that people love.
“The business I’m in is not about the money, but I’m following my heart, so this is a beautiful bonus that keeps us going. It says to me that we’re going in the right direction.”
She told of her amazing journey from CEO of a regional nursery business, to owner of a much-loved tourist attraction, having decided she wanted to build a business from the heart rather than follow a spreadsheet.
Rachel recalled: “I started my day nursery business in 2007 with two children and one member of staff. It was my dream, and it went really well, and we grew and we grew. And my role became more about HR, employment, accountancy, and business management. I wanted to play with children and care for families and I ended up with a lot of hats on.
“It’s one hell of a journey that I’m hugely proud of but fast forward 17 years and I had four day nurseries, caring for 800 families, and a staff team of 85. It was amazing and we did very well, but I was tired. “I was at a point where I was looking at a transition, to growing the nursery to four more and bring in a business manager, but I didn’t want to lose the quality. So I made the decision to sell.
“I was really shocked about that, it wasn’t on my agenda. But I needed a reset. I need to find out who I am. It’d had my life! I’ve got three sons and one of them, Tommy, is a wheelchair user. I wanted to be able to get to his appointments and be a mum again.”
While the lengthy process of selling the business was being carried out, Rachel came across an online post highlighting how Bondville was up for sale. Rachel remembered going there as a child, and impulsively put in a call. The couple who were running the Sewerby attraction were ready to retire, so after a visit the deal was done.
She said: “It was very strange and very impulsive for me. I was supposed to be selling the nursery and sailing off into the sunset. My husband was like ‘what are you doing?’. But I really loved it.”
Having been closed for two years, the village needed a lot of renovation work and investment to brighten up the 200-plus buildings, but since reopening in 2024 the village has gone from strength to strength. The tea room has also been revamped and is inspired by Rachel’s grandma, with a 1980s nostalgic feel.
The model village also now depicts scenes around the world, and it includes figures in wheelchairs and one of a little girl wearing hearing aids, as part of her drive to make sure everyone feels included and welcome.
It was previously only open five months of the year, but Bondville is now open all year round, with seasonal events throughout. And alongside regular visitors and first timers its magical atmosphere draws in people of all ages and nationalities.
Rachel said: “There’s such a mixed bag of people who come here – such a diverse visitor group, all of whom love what Bonneville is. It’s so powerful this place. I know I sound absolutely bonkers. I know I do but I love it.
“I’ve even started doing Facebook lives for our followers who can’t get there at the moment. The world is so not nice at the moment, and I feel it’s losing a sense of good old-fashioned values. So while people are with us in this little acre of magic it’s nice. And you cannot be grumpy. I really believe in it and feel like we’re on for a lovely future here.”
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