house on the hill toy museum | a great day out in Essex for all the family!

We hope your visit will re-kindle fond memories of your childhood days, as you recognise toys you once owned.

Dalek
Even Daleks visit the Castle!

This is the largest privately-owned toy museum in Europe with over 80,000 individual items of mixed antiquity on display, housed within an area of 7,000 sq ft. The artefacts range from the late Victorian era right through to the 1990's, and are based on the collection of one man who started in 1946 by buying a Hornby train set with his pocket money.

At-At, an Imperial Walker

Over the years, a huge range of toys, games and books have been bought from all corners of the world, enabling the visitor to see toys that may otherwise have been lost to public gaze.

Yoda with Stormtrooper
Unusual sighting of Yoda
with a Stormtrooper

This collection covers many different aspects of toys through the ages, revealing the culture, fashions and technological developments of this and other countries. Toys and play are an integral part of childhood and provide the stimulus necessary for future development.

Princess Diana's bicycle

There is also a display of film, theatre and rock 'n' roll memorabilia and a large collection of vintage slot machines.

Another popular feature at the museum is the Golden Jubilee exhibition featuring a stunning collection of replica crown jewels, as well as other royal memorabilia.

The House on the Hill Toy Museum

The House on the Hill Toy Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1991 and was created to provide a nostalgic and evocative encounter with toys that people of all ages enjoyed during their formative years.

Some of the things you can see at the museum:

Dolls and Dolls' Houses
Barbie and Sindy
TV and Film Related Toys
Puppets and Tin Toys
Trains and Lead Toys
Space and Military Toys
Teddy Bears
Novelty Toys and Tins
Books, Games & Annuals
Coin-Operated Machines Of Yesteryear
Die-Cast Toys
Golden Jubilee Exhibition
Princess Diana's Bicycle
Rock 'N' Roll Memorabilia

ADMISSION PRICES INCLUDE:
MOUNTFITCHET CASTLE AND
THE DINOSAUR ENCOUNTER