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Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 11am - 5pm

Brighton Toy and Model Museum

Name: Brighton Toy and Model Museum
Address: 52-55 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN14EB, GB
Telephone: +441273749494
Price range: £

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Brighton Toy and Model Museum

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Home to more than 12,000 toys and models crafted during the Golden Age of toy-making

WELCOME to the group for Brighton Toy and Model Museum, a truly extraordinary attraction full of childhood dreams and memories...

Looking to revisit your childhood? Want to show your children/grandchildren or even grandchildren the toys you used to play with? Or in turn want to see what your parents/grandparents or even great grandparents used to play with? …

… Then you will enjoy a visit to Brighton Toy and Model Museum, home to one of the finest collections of toys and models in the world. Situated under Brighton station, you will find a treasure cove of over 10,000 exhibits on display, including collections of toys from over the last 100 years, period antique toys, examples from the world’s top toy makers plus priceless model train collection. The museum is one of Brighton’s most fascinating attractions and an Aladdin’s cave for the whole family to enjoy! What You Will See:

- A priceless model train collection with an extensive ‘0’ gauge working layout

- A working ‘00’ model of the Sussex countryside

- Tin Plate toys, cars and buses, exotic toys and model ships, large-scale radio controlled aeroplanes and helicopters

- Dolls and rare dolls house furniture

- Old-fashioned penny arcade games and a working mutoscope, displaying early photographic animation

- Many types of construction toys

- Soft toys, teddy bears, puppets and toy theatres

- Military and Historical dioramas

14/10/2026

🍯🧸 Celebrating 100 Years of Winnie-the-Pooh!

On 14 October 1926, A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh was first published, bringing the adventures of a certain honey-loving bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood to readers around the world.

Inspired by the childhood toys of Milne’s son, Christopher Robin, and brought to life through E. H. Shepard’s illustrations, Winnie-the-Pooh has become one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature.

A century later, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and friends continue to delight generations with their timeless stories of friendship, kindness and adventure.

📚 Discover more beloved literary characters in our exhibition, From Page to Play: Characters from Children’s Literature.

13/10/2026

🐻 On this day in 1958, Paddington Bear made his first appearance in Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington.

Arriving in London from Darkest Peru with little more than a suitcase and a label asking someone to look after him, Paddington quickly became one of Britain’s most beloved fictional characters.

With his distinctive duffle coat, famous appetite for marmalade sandwiches and talent for getting into mischief, Paddington has delighted generations of readers for 68 years.

🧸 Our temporary exhibition, From Page to Play: Characters from Children’s Literature, features a Gabrielle Designs Paddington Bear, produced by the company responsible for bringing the much-loved character to life as a soft toy in the 1970s.

Come along and discover these much-loved characters and the history behind them!

11/10/2026

🎭 Curtain Up! The World of Toy Theatre

6 November 2026 – 9 January 2027

Brighton Toy and Model Museum is pleased to announce Curtain Up! The World of Toy Theatre, a special visiting exhibition exploring more than two centuries of toy theatre history, from its Georgian origins to the miniature stages still enjoyed today.

Popularised during the 19th century, toy theatres allowed children and families to recreate popular theatrical productions at home using intricately printed scenery, characters and scripts. Victorian pantomimes and popular dramas were particular favourites, bringing the spectacle of the theatre into the home on a miniature scale.

Featuring a unique collection of historic and modern examples, including Pollock’s Cinderella, the exhibition explores the history, craftsmanship and enduring appeal of this fascinating form of entertainment.

🎟️ Opening Friday 6 November 2026

09/10/2026

🚂 On this day in 1984, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends made its television debut on ITV.

Based on The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and originally narrated by Ringo Starr, the programme brought the adventures of Thomas and his fellow engines on the Island of Sodor to life.

Filmed using intricately detailed model railway sets, the series became a much-loved part of British children's television, inspiring generations of young railway enthusiasts. 💙

08/10/2026

🏆On this day in 1829, Stephenson’s Rocket triumphed at the Rainhill Trials.

Held on the newly built Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the trials had been organised to find the most suitable locomotive for the new line, with a prize of £500 on offer.

On 8 October, George and Robert Stephenson’s Rocket, developed with Henry Booth, completed its demanding trial run, hauling a load of around 13 tons and reaching speeds of up to 29 mph.

Its innovative multi-tubular boiler helped make Rocket faster and more efficient than its rivals, and its performance at Rainhill ultimately secured its place as the winning locomotive.

Rocket’s success became an important moment in railway history, demonstrating the potential of steam locomotives and influencing locomotive design for decades to come.🚂

07/10/2026

🌑 On this day in 1959, the far side of the Moon was photographed for the very first time.

Captured by the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3, the images offered humanity its first glimpse of the mysterious side of the Moon that permanently faces away from Earth.

To mark the anniversary, we’re sharing this fascinating object from our collection: a large relief model of the Moon, measuring around two feet across and mounted on a wooden base so it can be rotated. Created following the lunar missions, the model also marks the landing sites that became part of the story of human exploration of the Moon. 🌕🚀

04/10/2026

🚆 On this day in 1976, the InterCity 125 entered service on Britain’s railways.

Designed to operate at speeds of up to 125 mph, the High Speed Train became an important part of inter-city travel across the country and one of the most distinctive trains of the British Rail era. Originally developed as an interim measure, it proved remarkably successful and remained in regular service for more than four decades.

To mark its 50th anniversary, we’ve brought together several InterCity 125 models in different liveries on our railway layout, reflecting just some of the appearances the train has carried over its long working life.

Many thanks to for arranging and photographing this display for us.

03/10/2026

🖖 Just a few weeks left to catch 60 Years of Star Trek!

Our special exhibition celebrating six decades of Star Trek is only at Brighton Toy and Model Museum until 31 October.

Explore a fascinating display of toys, models and memorabilia from across the Star Trek universe, spanning generations of one of science fiction’s most enduring franchises.

📅 On display until 31 October
🕙 Tue–Fri 10am–5pm | Sat 11am–5pm
🎟️ Included with museum admission

If you haven’t visited yet, now’s the time to beam aboard before the exhibition closes! 🖖

02/10/2026

🏆 WE WON!

We’re delighted to share that Brighton Toy and Model Museum has won the Leisure & Tourism Excellence Award at the 2026 Brighton & Hove Business Awards!

It’s a fantastic recognition of the work that goes into making the Museum a memorable place to visit, from caring for our collections and creating exhibitions to welcoming visitors through the doors every week.

A huge thank you to our staff, volunteers, trustees, supporters and, of course, everyone who visits us. We’re incredibly proud to be bringing this award back to the Museum! 🎉

01/10/2026

☕️ Today is International Coffee Day!

Among the many nostalgic items in our collection is this blue wooden “Circle Grocery” play shop, dating from the 1960s.

Its shelves are stocked with miniature versions of familiar household brands, including Lyons and Nescafé, offering a small glimpse into the products and packaging that would once have been part of everyday life.

A charming reminder of how children’s toys often reflected the world around them.

Address

52-55 Trafalgar Street
Brighton
BN14EB

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441273749494

Website

http://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/, https://linktr.ee/BrightonToyAndModelMuseum, https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Tr

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