The Exhibits

The Museum is home to displays that draw on its core collection of over 10,000 items, and also exhibits various pieces and full displays that are on loan from outside collections. The displays showcase collections from the last 100 years, including examples from the world's top toymakers.

Two extensive working model railway layouts

The Museum features a priceless toy and model  train collection with an extensive working 1930's three-rail '0' gauge layout, featuring authentic period trackside accessories. Across the back of the museum is an intricately-detailed working '00' model layout based on the Sussex countryside. 

Puppets, Dioramas, and other Exhibits

You can even try your hand at old-fashioned penny arcade games or enjoy early photographic animation by looking through a working mutoscope!

You will also see tin plate toys, cars and buses, exotic toy and model ships, trams, large-scale, radio-controlled aeroplanes, puppet theatres (including a Punch and Judy booth), and Pelham Puppets from Muffin the Mule to Sooty. There are a number of beautiful dolls and rare dolls' house furniture on display as well as a series of evocative military dioramas, building toys, paper construction models, and farm and circus playsets.

The Shop

The shop sells souvenirs, books and postcards as well as inexpensive toys for young children and a wide range of collectors' toys. The stock changes continually, so stop in and have a browse. Admission to the shop is free and doesn't require a visit to the Museum.

The shop area also houses a working cast iron coin-operated end-of-the-pier metal label-stamping machine. A 20p coin lets you "thunk" the large handle to produce an aluminium tag that can be up to 19 letters long (over 19 letters with additional coins). It's fun, loud, and very therapeutic!

If you have toys to donate or sell, please get in touch with the Museum Office.