Take a trip back through time this Christmas at Sidmouth's Toy and Model Museum

Sidmouth's Toy and Model Museum reopens on Monday with a special Christmas theme.

The collection of vintage and modern toys has been collected by Ian and Rebecca Gregory over a period of 40 years, and includes Corgi and Dinky model cars, Tri-ang tin plate lorries, a model railway, model aircraft, and ships.

A key exhibit is a Tri-ang Centurion pedal car that Ian was given as a young boy in 1959 and owned until 1966. He rediscovered it 30 years later at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and bought it back for his collection. Two other pedal cars of a similar age are on display as part of a teddy bears' picnic exhibition.

For the Christmas opening period, from Monday December 14 until Wednesday 23, there is a nativity scene, Christmas trees, lights and music. Children aged 11 and under can take part in a 'hunt for Father Christmas' competition, seeking models of Santa in the exhibition for the reward of a lucky dip prize.

How did the collection come into being?

Ian Gregory started the collection with his own Corgi and Dinky model cars from his childhood in the 1960s. Over the years he acquired many more items, including the Tri-ang tin plate lorries and an 0-gauge model railway, which forms the centrepiece of the museum. Its layout is used to showcase other vintage building and construction kits of the same scale.

The railway has many iconic model locomotives, and also includes the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter.

There is also a unique model of the Titanic, made from 22,000 matchsticks, and two unique Steiff automatons. Toys associated with film and TV are also on display. Modern toys include a Star Wars exhibit and a Harry Potter display. Both include some rare models including some built specifically for the museum.

There are displays of vintage dolls and more recent types including Barbie and Sindy models. Toys in the form of household appliances can be seen, along with board games and educational books from 1930 onwards.

Where is the toy museum?

The museum is located within The Old Chapel in Chapel Street, previously the Sidmouth United Reformed Church. Ian and Rebecca bought the property in 2017 and spent the following two years renovating and redecorating it. The property was subsequently transferred to a charitable trust which also operates the museum.

The Sidmouth Toy & Model Museum will be open from December 14 until December 23 between 10am and 5pm, with last admission at 4pm.

Ian and Rebecca are always interested to hear of model and toy collections that owners would like to display within the museum. Recently a model of a Victorian theatre featuring 'Cinderella' was loaned to the collection.

As the museum is located within a church building, the opportunity has been taken to include details of the church history. The church organ, originally built in the mid-1800s, continues to work and is played from time to time.

The church also contains a number of plaques commemorating past lives, including those associated with the church who lost their lives in World War.

Ian said: "A visit to the museum provides a trip of nostalgia for many. For the younger generation it provides an opportunity to see how their grandparents and parents may have enjoyed childhood. Most visitors to the museum spend between 45 minutes and one hour viewing the displays.

"The museum was designed to have a one-way system and this arrangement meets the current Covid regulations to ensure appropriate social distancing is maintained.

"We look forward to welcoming you to our museum."