Explore Sudbury's nostalgic Museum of Childhood

Door of the National Trust Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire

The Museum of Childhood's eight galleries celebrate the escapades and challenges of childhood in a whole new way. You don’t have to be young, only young at heart to enjoy the adventure.

The Outdoor Adventure Gallery

Start the discovery outside and walk through our Victorian street, where you can play jacks and marbles.

Jog your own memories by listening to people’s accounts of playing outdoors over the years.

Play back in time
The Outdoor Adventure Gallery at The National Trust Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire

The Work Gallery

Experience first hand the realities of life for children employed through the ages. Venture down a Victorian mine tunnel.

Uncover what life was like for children working in domestic service, whilst daring young ‘sweeps’ can take on our chimney climb.

The Toys Gallery

With an amazing array of toys including the Betty Cadbury Collection of Playthings Past, you can take a look at toys through the ages.

what toys do you remember cover photo Play Video

The Home Gallery

This gallery turns home life on its head. Look up to see a bedroom on the ceiling. Put yourself in the shoes of a family on the home front in the Second World War.

Pick a favourite from the wonderful display of dolls houses and board games.

The School Gallery

The best days of your life? Cast your mind back to semolina dinners and school uniforms.

Sit up straight and pay attention in the Victorian school room and have a go at our playground games.
 

Victorian school room, Sudbury Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
The Victorian school room in the museum at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire


The Baby Gallery

Trace the first year of life and see how we celebrate the arrival of a new baby. Compare the equipment used to care for little ones today to that of the 19th century.

The Stories and Imagination Gallery

Enter here and who knows who you’ll meet. Walk through outer space and a magical forest. Budding storytellers can create their own characters and stories in our performance area.

Play with puppets and delve into our book collection.


 

One of the museum's clockwork toys on display
Young visitors looking at a clockwork toy


Re-discover the toys you played with as a child or those your parents or grandparents loved. Learn about how childhoods have changed over the past decades right through to modern day.