Old and New Toy Collections in Museums throughout the UK
Toys are something that both young and old love and toy museums are great places for adults to share their enthusiasm for the toys of their youth with the younger generations. Luckily, there are a lot of toy museums in the UK, so, whether you are looking to spend a day reminiscing or want to have a more hands on approach to the toys, this list will help you to find the one the best suits what you are looking for.
Pollock's Toy Museum
Pollock’s Toy Museum, which is located in Scala Street in London, is one of the most visited and beloved toy museums in the country, housing a huge collection of toys that will take you on a trip down memory lane. There are several collections to see and each one has a detailed description about the eras when they were most popular, created and played with. The building itself, creates a very nostalgic ambiance that everyone who visits will truly love.
The Bear Museum, Petersfield
Who doesn’t love bears? The Bear Museum in Petersfield is filled with every kind of teddy bear that you can possibly think of, with a very well curated collection from across different generations. The Bear Museum is home to the famous Edward Bear and his family, Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear. This is a place that both adults and children will certainly enjoy.
The Brighton Toy and Model Museum
If you want to play with some of the toys in a museum, then the Brighton Toy and Model Museum, established in 1991 is the place for you. The space is filled with both vintage and new toys. The ambiance is quite quirky and will most definitely appeal to children. The history of model train engineering is one of the most visited attractions in the museum. A visit to The Brighton Toy Museum will make you realise that there is so much more to toys than meets the eye.
Edinburgh Museum of Childhood
The Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh attracts around 250,000 visitors every year. It has a huge collection of toys dating back to the 18th century and includes the modern toys that we have today. Admission to the museum is free of charge. A tour around the place will truly remind you of your childhood when you come across some of the toys that you used to play with. It is also a great way to introduce old toys to the younger generation to make them see how toys have evolved over the years.
The House on the Hill Toy Museum
The name of this museum itself is already all too enticing! The House on the Hill Toy Museum is situated in Stansted Mountfitchet and encompasses one of the biggest toy collections in the UK. The toys are well-organised and categorised according to genre and era. It is a great place to visit if you are wondering whatever happened to the toys you played with as a child. There are also vintage slot machines and miniature vintage toy soldiers, trains and the famous Lady Di tracker bicycle!
Contact details for toy museums across the country:
Beaumaris Museum Of Childhood Memories
1 Castle Street, Beaumaris, LL58 8AP.
Tel. 01248 810448
Broadway Teddy Bear Museum
76 High Street, Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7AJ.
Tel. 01386 858323
Coventry Toy Museum
Whitefriars Gate, Much Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2LT.
Tel. 01203 227560
The Bear Museum, Petersfield
38 Dragon Street, Petersfield, Hants, GU13 4JJ.
Tel. 01730 265108
Toys of Yesteryear
Peak Village Outlet, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Derbyshire, DE4 2NP.
Tel. 01629 732111 or 07966 482337