Childhood Memories Toy Museum, Tynemouth

I first visited Childhood Memories Toy Museum, Tynemouth when I was child. I went with my parents and we all really enjoyed it. I wanted somewhere to drive to during my time off so my friend and I decided to go here. I can’t remember anything from my first visit except what my parents have told me so it was almost like visiting here for the first time (though once I entered the museum there was an air of familiarity)

Before visiting ...
...found out that it is the only Toy Museum in the North East with over 7000 toys on display dating back from 1890. I can’t say I remember seeing any toys this old (I’m not saying there wasn’t) but I do remember looking at annuals dating back from the early 1900’s. I found it really interesting that the annuals were so old (even older than my 83 year old granddad!). These annuals looked like they were in very good condition considering their age.
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I first visited Childhood Memories Toy Museum, Tynemouth when I was child. I went with my parents and we all really enjoyed it. I wanted somewhere to drive to during my time off so my friend and I decided to go here. I can’t remember anything from my first visit except what my parents have told me so it was almost like visiting here for the first time (though once I entered the museum there was an air of familiarity)

Before visiting the museum I looked at their website online and I found out that it is the only Toy Museum in the North East with over 7000 toys on display dating back from 1890. I can’t say I remember seeing any toys this old (I’m not saying there wasn’t) but I do remember looking at annuals dating back from the early 1900’s. I found it really interesting that the annuals were so old (even older than my 83 year old granddad!). These annuals looked like they were in very good condition considering their age.

There are loads of toys on display, so if you go as a family, there is sure to be something for everyone. I really enjoyed looking at the older toys and seeing how they have changed over the years. There were even toys there that I played with when I was a child, which shows that the museum are updating their collection all the time. However, it does seem like they are still old when you think that the toys I am referring to are about 10 years old! There are toys from the film Toy Story and there was a Furby (which was different to the one I had when I was a child but made me remember mine)

The toys are all set out in one large room; some are behind glass and some are just behind a rope barrier. There is a large collection of toys, including clockwork and mechanical toys, prams and dolls, toys, puzzles and games. There are toys from films and TV such as ET, Star Wars, Doctor Who and Sooty and Sweep. There is something for everyone on display. Emma and I both said that it was better than we had expected it to be.

There is a large dolls hospital with a toy car outside of it. I really liked this and I enjoyed looking through the window and seeing the dolls.

On our way out Emma pointed out the rocking horses, which I hadn’t previously noticed. I then told her about my old rocking horse, Dobbin, and how I only got rid of him a few years ago, as I couldn’t bear to part with him. My dad used to ‘feed’ him bread and I used to think that he really ate it, as I didn’t see what my dad did with it. As I was telling Emma this, the lady who runs the museum was looking at us and smiling and she started talking to us about our experience of the museum. I think she was smiling because the museum had done, for us, what it is set out to do – bring back memories of your childhood.

There were lots of toys in this museum that made me think of my childhood, as well as use my imagination about the toys which my parents and grandparents would have played with when they were children. There were a few toys that I recognised that I used to have that my sister gave me (she is ten years older than me so I got lots of her toys) including Barbie and Cindy. Whenever I saw a toy that I recognised I felt a sense of excitement and I smiled to myself. I couldn’t help but point out the toys to Emma and we talked about a lot of them. We were in the museum nearly an hour and a half but I think it would be easy to spend longer if you looked at all the toys in detail. My sister said they spent about an hour in there. I talk a lot though (as anyone who knows me well will verify!) and Emma and I talked about loads of the toys! As well as pointing, ‘Ooh look at this!’ and ‘Ahh, have you seen that one!’

There was a train set (behind glass) and if you inserted a 20p piece the trains moved. Emma put the money in and we watched the trains go round. It seemed to last a while (a good few minutes) and I think we started looking at something else before it stopped. My sister and her husband took their three children here last weekend and the train set was the first thing my eldest nephew told me about (he is interested in trains.)

I took loads of photos in the museum and when I was showing them to my parents they said there are lots more toys in the museum than when they were last there. They seemed to enjoy looking at the toys in the photos. I wasn’t sure if you could take photos but there were no signs up saying that you couldn’t. My sister, her husband and nephews enjoyed looking at the photos as well as they hadn’t taken any when they were there.

Parking is available in several places in Tynemouth along the sea front. We parked in the nearest bay to the museum (just across the road) and I believe it cost 80p for up to 2 hours.

The museum is located in Tynemouth, The Palace Building, Grand Parade. It is located on the sea front and once you are in Tynemouth, if the sea is in view you will come to it. It costs £1.50 for adults and 75p for children and concessions. They are open from 10.30am til 5pm. June-September Tuesday – Sunday (except bank holidays) April-May September-November Weekends only.

The website states that the museum doubles up as a Dolls hospital and once repaired they go onto display in the museum. The staff are friendly and willing to chat, making for a pleasant atmosphere. The museum was quite quiet when we were there with only about another 5 people visiting. We signed the visitors comments book before we came out :-)

I really enjoyed looking in this museum and I would certainly go back in the future. As we were looking round we twice thought we had looked at everything but then we realised that we had missed some toys out and went back to look at it. The museum also sells sweets and drinks in the entrance though I’m not sure you are allowed to eat and drink when looking around the museum. (The sweets were something else that my nephew told me about!)

Thanks for reading! bluejules x 

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