Explore over 80,000 toys spanning from Roman times to the 1980s, plus hands-on activities, a haunted manor, and animatronic dinosaurs.

The House on the Hill Museum is a world-famous toy museum housing an extraordinary collection of over 80,000 individual toys, established in 1991 by collector Alan Goldsmith and his son Jeremy. Visitors can explore Victorian toys, tin soldiers, Hornby trains, Action Man, Barbie and Sindy dolls, teddy bears, board games, and much more—a nostalgic journey through decades of play and social history. The museum also features themed exhibitions including WWI and WWII displays, a Rock 'n' Roll collection, and memorabilia from beloved TV shows and films. Beyond the indoor toy galleries, the museum offers interactive experiences perfect for families. Hands-on activities include a puppet theatre, Lego and Brio tables, skill-testing games, and the chance to try on authentic WWI and WWII helmets. The Haunted Manor provides a thrilling optional experience for brave visitors, while outside, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a fossil-hunting activity in the Palaeontology house add adventure for younger explorers. With over 3 million visitors since opening, the museum appeals to both adults seeking nostalgia and families with children of various ages. The venue is part of a larger heritage complex, situated near Mountfitchet Castle, an open-air medieval museum experience. The extensive collection ensures there is far more to enjoy than can be experienced in a single visit, making it an ideal destination for repeat family outings.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

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James Cressey

3 months ago

A really good collection of toys. There's way more than you could possible look at in one visit.

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JOHN COPPERTHWAITE

9 months ago

What a FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE for all ages Toys from when I was a child aswell as more modern toys. Music and TV shows and memorabilia aswell as WW1 & WW2 War memorabilia guns uniforms planes also a tribute to the late PRINCESS DIANA Great for a family day out the parents will become the kids

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Charles Nixon

11 months ago

A wonderful recreation of a Norman wooden fort. Inside of which is an amazing Toy museum. It spans most generations from the 1960’s . Amazing collections of Star Wars toys, model cars. Dolls and model soldiers

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Rebecca Thurgood

a year ago

Absolutely fantastic day out, with plenty to interest children & adults of all ages. Very well maintained, the mediaeval village is fascinating & extensive. The toy museum is breathtakingly expansive! Allow several hours, we had 4+ but it wasn't nearly enough to see everything. Great value for the quality of the experience. Cafe & gift shop were good value, too. There is a section of the nearby pay & display car park reserved for visitors at no cost.

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Maria Law

4 years ago

This was a real little treat! The collection at this museum is really vast and so interesting to see all of the trinkets and mementos from the past. We loved the fortune telling machines. Was a great place to take our little one as there's so much colour. The museum definitely has a really atmosphere and if you're not too scared checked out the haunted section!

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026