Our five minute guide to toys and the National Trust:

Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Lanhydrock’s nursery wing is an entirely self-sufficient suite designed by Richard Coad in 1881. Based loosely on the principles set out in Robert Kerr’s book 'The Gentleman’s House' (1864), it eventually met the needs of the Agar-Robartes family’s 10 children.

© NTPL / Andreas von Einsiedel

The suite of rooms includes a scullery, a night nursery, a day nursery (where the children played and ate), Nanny’s bedroom, a bathroom and a complete schoolroom. Some of the meals in the restaurant here are now based on children's yesteryear favourites.

Snowshill Manor, Gloucestershire

Visit the Seventh Heaven, a touching testimony to the pre-1900 child, and the favourite room of Charles Wade, owner of Snowshill Manor and insatiable collector of curiosities.

© NTPL / Roy Fox

Here you can see wind-propelled toys, dolls' houses, ships, and train sets galore, as well as curious contraptions like an early baby minder used on board ship to stop a child from falling over. Wade was a true believer in the romance and magic of youth: ‘The Seventh Heaven is only to be attained in childhood, before schools and schoolmasters have been able to destroy the greatest of treasures, imagination.'

Standen, West Sussex

Dobbin the rocking horse is instantly loveable. The handsome horse, with his dappled grey coat, was a faithful friend to the Beale children, whose parents James and Margaret Beale commissioned the Arts & Crafts house Standen in West Sussex. Dobbin was a gift to eldest child, Amy, in 1874; not a bad reward for learning your A,B,C.

© NTPL / Michael Caldwell

Each time the family moved, finally to Standen in 1894, Dobbin followed and he now enjoys a quiet life of retirement in the Billiard Room. Like any much loved toy he picked up a war wound or two over the years, and in 2004 thanks to donations by visitors he underwent a spot of gentle conservation. Visit Dobbin today and you will find him still slightly battered and bruised but sporting a pair of glistening new black and orange eyes.

Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire

Lieutenant Teddy Richardson stands proud at the mast of a toy boat, monocle in right eye, leather belt firmly fastened, uniform ship shape and ready for action! Made by Harwin & Co Ltd in 1916 to commemorate the First World War, Teddy Richardson is just one of 24 teddy bears at our Museum of Childhood.

© NTPL / Andreas von Einsiedel

Say hello to Rupert, Paddington and the one with the noblest lineage, Edward Hall Grey – believed to be one of the first teddy bears shipped over from America. Keep your eyes peeled though for all sorts of other treasures, such as a set of eye-catching cat ninepins.

Wightwick Manor, West Midlands

Nursery decoration took off around the turn of the 20th century, with parents flocking to luxury stores such as Liberty and Heals in the quest for the ultimate accessory or piece of furniture.

© NTPL / Andreas von Einsiedel

At Wightwick Manor, the Night Nursery is full of charming details such as the delightful Noon and Night painting. It could still be a lonely place, however: Anthea Mander Lahr, a child at Wightwick, recalls that ‘emotions were brushed under the linoleum. Parents only made visitations'.