The House on the Hill Toy Museum first opened its doors to the public over 20 years ago and was created to provide a nostaligic and evocative encounter with toys that people of all ages enjoyed during their formative years.

It is the largest privately-owned toy museum in The World with over 80,000 individual items of mixed antiquity on display, house 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.

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 the public gaze.

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

There is also a display of film, theatre and rock 'n' roll memorabilia, a large collection of vintage end-of-pier amusement slot machines, a WWI and WWII Home-Front military display as well as life-sized Star Wars fiqures and Daleks.

Another popualar feature at the museum is the Golden Jubilee exhibition featuring a stunning collection of replica crown jewels, Princess Diana's childhood bike as well as other royal memorabilia.

The owners and curators of the Toy Museum are a father and son team, Alan and Jeremy Goldsmith.

Alan's history, as a rock '' roll promoter from the 1960's to the present day(click here to find out more), lends a unique understanding and experience of this particular field, as well as specialising in early tinplate toys.

From the left: Alan Goldsmith , BBC Essex DJ Steve Scrutton and Jeremy Goldsmith

Jeremy, who was born in the late 1960's, specialises in the three decades from the 1950's up to the 1980's and even branches out into World War II and modern day militaria. He has been used by the BBC as a consultant on the 20th century Roadshow and is often used by TV companies for his extensive knowledge, particulary of the 1970's and the novely items produced ast this time.

Together they have hosted ITV's Boot Sale Challenge and made guest appearances on Richard & Judy, BBC Essex, BBC London, BBC Cambridge, BBC Three Counties, BBC Breakfast News, The Paul O'Grady Show, The One Show, CNN, Sky News, and Blue Peter - amongst others!

They are available for consultancy, valuations and television, radio and other media work. Please call 01279 813237 (+44 1279 813237 International) or Contact Us for further information.

Some of the things that you can see at the mumseum:

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 Mahines of Yesteryear, Die-Cast toys, Golden Jubilee Exhibition, Princess Diana's Bicycle, Rock 'n' Roll Memorabilia, Life sized Star Wars fiqures, Dr Who Tardis and Dalek, Only Fools and Horses orginal car, Interactive WWII displays, Amusement machines, Interactive Star Wars display, Dad's Army display.

Buy with confidence from one of the largest and most famous toy museums and collectors emporium in the World established for well over 20 years and collection compiled for over 50 years.