By Stephanie Huddleston, to Museum Spotlight Europe (February 2020)
If you’ve got an upcoming trip to the beautiful gothic city of Edinburgh you will find several things about the city when you arrive. Pipers play the bagpipes on various street corners, as well as various other musicians, it adds to the ambience of the city. Tip them to take a photo or video. The city itself has mysterious wynds or narrow stairways that you can utilize as you walk across the city. If you’re walking, bring good shoes as the city is predominantly on a big hill. There’s many pubs to find, and Edinburgh castle is well worth a look.
Those are the things you may already be expecting from your trip, but today’s post is about an experience you may not have prior knowledge about. On Royal Mile is a museum which could easily be overlooked if you’re bustling by to get to the top of the hill and the castle that awaits. The Museum of Childhood is an example where slowing down and stopping is well worth your time.
A multi-level building dedicated to sharing the joy of childhood throughout the ages, The Museum of Childhood was the first of its kind around the world. The museum was founded in 1955 by Patrick Murry who wished to share some of his own collection of childhood memorabilia with the public. Step through this museum’s doors and you’ll see why it’s held a special place in the hearts of many visitors. As you wander through the many levels and galleries of The Museum of Childhood you’ll likely find yourself saying ‘I had one of those’ more than once. If you have a family, this is a wonderful opportunity to show your children some of the toys you remember from your childhood. Nostalgia and childhood joy are some of the strongest emotions I felt visiting this unique museum.
Having undergone a renovation to refresh its ground floor displays in 2018, the museum is the home to displays of children’s toys and books across generations. The museum also houses collections relating to growing up, school days, health, clubs and holidaying.
Recent acquisitions? How about a 2000 Buzz lightyear and 1979 Fisher-Price chatter telephone! Additional favorites you might recognize on your visit include early Peter Rabbit merchandising, Paddington and a host of other soft toys. This was one of my favorite collections, being a fan of teddy bears growing up.
For doll lovers there is an impressive selection of dolls, from baby dolls to the modern barbie. One of the upstairs galleries houses impressive doll houses some of which stand as tall as a person! These are impressive feats of design, craftsmanship and love. The oldest toy in the collection, the Queen Anne Doll dates from 1740.
If you spent your childhood playing with trains, or you’re a model train enthusiast you’ve come to the right place. With a large room filled with trains of various scales and set ups you’ll be amazed seeing all these models together in one place.
The museum accepts donations of funds, as well as toys, books and other items relating to childhood. If you find yourself as enchanted by the museum as I was, consider donating so they can keep up their good work. If you have a toy you would like to pass along, the museum has some guidelines to help you know if your donation would be helpful. Some toys they have quite a lot of and so though they recognise it’s value as a beloved toy, it may not be best used in their displays.
This museum is a hit with both adults and children, so if you’re travelling to Edinburgh as a family, this museum is one you don’t want to miss. The new renovation has made the ground floor more accessible and directly engaging with an emphasis on play and learning. Though much of the collection is in glass display cabinets there is a high emphasis on interactive engagement throughout the museum. There’s opportunity for children to dress up and play imagination games. Build a lego masterpiece in one gallery, or try your hand at a game of snakes and ladders. Several old mechanical amusement machines are still in working order so it’s a great idea to carry some small change with you when you visit in order to see these amazing displays of music or puppetry in action. It’s easy to spend many hours at The Museum of Childhood, and have a blast!
As you leave The Museum of Childhood be sure to visit the gift shop, particularly if you’re looking for a souvenir for a child in your life. After your visit if you feel a bit peckish there’s a great selection of cafes within walking distance because of the museum’s fantastic location on Royal Mile. Next door to The Museum of Childhood, cafe Keno has great coffee and a range of breakfast and lunch options. This is a great dining spot for families. If you’re not travelling with children walk down Royal Mile a little way to check out The World’s End historical pub. A fantastic range of craft beers, burgers and a cozy atmosphere awaits.
If you’re wanting to find out a bit more about the museum prior to your visit, you can visit their blog here Stories of Childhood. Learning about what it was like to be a child in various eras is educational, as well as a common bonding experience for different generations. After all we were all children once!
Special Note: As this is a multi-level museum, visitors with mobility or wheelchair accessibility concerns should be aware that three of the five levels are accessible with lifts. The fourth and fifth levels of the museum are only accessible via stairs at the time of writing.
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