The House On The Hill Toy Museum is the nuts! If you've got a penchant for all things retro in the…read moretoy department, you will be in heaven in this place.
Depending on which way you look at it, and what your interests are, entry to the museum is either a free bonus when going to Stansted Mountfitchett Castle (see my other review!), or the Castle is an interesting diversion once you've been to the Museum.
Either way, as you walk up the hill to get there you are greeted by signs on your left showing some of the stuff you're about to see and interesting facts about the museum (like the one that informs you it's the largest toy museum in the world and is 250 feet above sea level). On the right is the 'dinosaur encounter' - there are some pretty big models of dinosaurs and some sound effects as you go up, the kids love it as they are almost hiding in the surrounding grass.
On entry you realise that history is just as important to the museum as the toys themselves, as they are complemented by some excellent nostalgia-inducing items. On this occasion I walked straight in to a full size robin reliant bedecked in Trotters Brothers livery and a cabinet with all kinds of signed merchandise and books etc for both Only Fools and Horses and Dad's Army. Peppered throughout the museum are also pieces of WWII aeroplanes that were brought down around Herts and Essex. Couple that with the soon encountered display of WWII artefacts (some very rare) and you get a sense of the passion for history that the owners have.
But, what we're all there for is the toys. You will slowly make your way around saying things like, 'Wow! I used to have one of those! and nudging your reluctant visiting partner and saying, Woah, do you remember those?!. Toy after toy after toy will leave you with equal doses of wonderous joy and sad, departed regret, but all will hold your fascination for some time. There are toys from every single generation on display here, so it really is a place for the whole family, and each display has a fact card with some interesting little nuggets to read about the exhibits.
Highlights are: The largest single collection (I believe) of Action Men and accessories, including some very rare stuff. A huge collection of Star Wars toys and memorabilia, Barbie/Cindy, Meccano, Britain's figures, TV Tie-Ins such as the A-Team and the Smurfs, Board Games through the ages, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and a section with some arcade games - new and old. You can buy Old Pennies to use on some of the machines there too which is a nice touch.
There are also Lego stations dotted around on one floor to keep the kids amused while you peruse all of the corner-of-the-eye-tear-inducing objects surrounding you. There are nods to the music industry too, with some interesting little trinkets to look at.
It doesn't feel that big in the cubic metre sense in here, but with most of the cases being crammed full of stuff it's irrelevant - you will be there for a long time if you really want to appreciate all that you can see.
Kids just love looking at all the stuff, adults even more so.
This is a pretty well hidden little gem of a place, and if you're in the area, it's a must see.
As a final note, car parking in the immediate vicinity is limited to a council-run public car park, so take some change with you (it was £2.00 for 6 hours so not hideously expensive, but needed if you're going to the castle too). There are other parking places but they are a walk away.
Also, at the time of writing, admission to the museum is included with your ticket to the castle, and is priced at £8.50 for adults and £6.50 for children.
