Toy Museum at Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge, to reopen for 55th anniversary after £100k grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

A historic toy museum home to 2,000 playthings is set to reopen after a £100,000 refurbishment.

The museum, located inside Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge, is gearing up to welcome visitors to the newly reimagined exhibitions featuring dolls’ houses, teddy bears, rocking horses and books dating back to the Georgian era.

The Toy Museum at Penshurst Place, which is home to a large collection of vintage teddies and dolls, will reopen after a £100k refurbishment. Picture: Penshurst Place and Gardens

The renovation began at the end of last year when the country house was awarded a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to make the museum more accessible, refresh the collection and help it appeal to new generations.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re proud to support the revitalisation of the Toy Museum – a much-loved collection that brings generations together,” says Stuard McLeod, who works for the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“This project not only preserves a wonderful heritage toy collection for future generations, but also offers new opportunities for learning, creativity and connection for families, schools and communities across Kent and the southeast.”

The museum is now split into four zones, each with its own themed collection and interactive exhibit. Picture: Penshurst Place and Gardens

The museum was first opened in July 1970 by William Sidney. It included many toys from the collection of royal toymaker Yootha Rose and generations of the Sidney family, who have owned the estate since the 1500s.

The reopening will celebrate the museum’s 55th anniversary and will showcase the building’s four new zones: dolls and bears, games and pastimes, building blocks, and the world of imagination.

Each zone will have its own collection of toys and games, including Moggie, the Georgian doll; a Victorian peepshow; and Old Ted, a bear dating back to 1907.

“Reviving these treasured toys has been a journey of discovery,” says Nicky Stitchman, head of visitors and collections at Penshurst Place. “As each doll and teddy was cleaned and brought back to life, we were reminded of the joy and imagination they inspire.

“In curating the existing exhibits and introducing new, more contemporary pieces, we hope visitors will reminisce about their childhood favourites and that families will reconnect through their own stories in our newly designed zones.”

Moggie is a Georgian doll dating back to around 1750. Pictures: Penshurst Place and Gardens

The grand reopening of the museum takes place on Thursday, July 31 from 11am, with a teddy bear’s picnic and ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

Visitors can also join in with a range of family-friendly activities on the day, including face painting, crafts, giant garden games, selfie stations, storytelling and an afternoon tea.

Activities for the reopening are included in a standard entry ticket, which can be booked online here. Admission is free for under 16s who bring a teddy for the picnic.

There will be a teddy bear’s picnic to celebrate the reopening on July 31. Picture: Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place’s general manager, Ben Thomas, said: “Penshurst Place first introduced the Toy Museum in 1970, and for 55 years it has sparked joy and wonder across generations.

“With the generous support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’ve transformed the space into something even more magical, engaging and interactive for families to discover together. We look forward to welcoming everyone on 31 July to celebrate the reopening with us.”