A reconstructed medieval castle and Norman settlement isn’t where you might expect to find one of the UK’s best toy museums, yet that’s what you have to look forward to after a walk around an educational reminder of our barbaric Dark Ages at Mountfitchet Castle.
Like a plate of greens before being served every flavour of ice cream you could possibly imagine, the two attractions here make for an unusual combination. As adults without children we did feel a little out of place in what reminded me of somewhere I would have been taken on a school history trip. As you might expect, we felt right at home in the toy museum though.
When you pay the £17.00 entry fee for the dual ticket you’d assume that the majority of that covers the castle & settlement and that if they were to charge a fiver for the museum alone, they’d miss out on making the remainder on those who, like us, were only really there to see the toys. I’m pleased to say that the museum is so impressive I didn’t feel I’d been charged over the odds for the inclusion of the other half of the attraction.
It’s deceptively large for what looks to be a humble annexe from the outside, as you walk up the path lined with animatronic dinosaurs to ‘House on the Hill Museum’, featuring the toy collection of Alan Goldsmith (owner and curator). Here’s a short overview on the history of toys through the 20th century from Alan himself.
Alan was born in 1940s wartime Britain, when production of toys was limited. He credits a small toy train he owned aged 7 for his lifetime interest in toys. By 1991 his collection had grown so large he needed somewhere to house it all, where it could be enjoyed by others, rather than sit in storage behind closed doors. House on the Hill museum is home to an estimate of over 75,000 toys.
Also on display is Alan’s collection of rock and roll memorabilia from his time as a music producer and promoter – Alan and I have something in common in addition to toys on the latter of those two!
As soon as you walk into the museum you are met with a screen used replica of the Trotters Independent Traders Reliant Regal Supervan III. Only Fools and Horses was one of my favourite shows growing up and the merchandise was one of my first collections. I still have it all, including a couple of these vans, albeit in far smaller scale.
Directly ahead began the first of multiple Star Wars displays in the museum. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of my connection to this franchise, although I’m sure you’re beginning to appreciate what I meant when I said how much we felt at home here.
Emphasis on ‘we’ because a few turns around the mind blowing number of cabinets, stacked from top to bottom with toys, our eyes landed on something incredible.. the robot collection! Sometime soon Sam will share the story of her own collection, for now all you need to know is that our house is quickly becoming overrun with robots. I believe it all began with a robot themed nutcracker we were gifted when we moved into our first home together 10 years ago. We are a far cry from one novelty kitchen item now, let me tell you..
It was nice to have Sam’s collection put into perspective, we’ve not seen another. What struck me is that she’s not a far off having a similar number of individual pieces and yet there were so many here that she doesn’t have. People have often become a copilot for my collecting, alerting me to finds, etc.. It’s fun to take the side seat to Sam on robots. Seeing this display gave me inspiration to continue the hunt!
Here are some more photos of the many rooms and displays set across two floors at House on the Hill Museum. If you’re a collector, or just think toys are pretty cool (If you don’t, are you dead inside?) we’d highly recommend a visit.
Liam Toms 