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Museum of Childhood

ChildrenLocal HistoryHistoryTemporarily closedFreeEdinburgh Waverley railway station (7 min walk)

Opened in 1957, Edinburgh's Museum of Childhood was the first museum anywhere to specialise in the history of childhood, and it still fills a pair of Royal Mile townhouses with some 60,000 objects. The collection runs from the 1800s to the present day - toys, games, dolls, comics, school books, fancy dress and children's clothing - alongside a Victorian-era schoolroom, street games and a small dressing-up corner with a tee-pee for the youngest visitors. Highlights include a Queen Anne fashion doll of about 1740, a Steiff bear carried out of Vienna on the last Kindertransport, and Stanbrig Eorls, a 19-room dolls' house with electric light and running water. Admission is free. The museum is temporarily closed from 21 September 2026 while its galleries and lighting are refreshed, and is expected to reopen in January 2027.

What's On

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG, United Kingdom

Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley railway station (7 min walk), St Andrew Square tram stop (10 min walk), Royal Mile / High Street bus stops (Skylink 300)

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuToday10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

Free

Free entry for all; donations welcome. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by emailing museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Accessibility

Ramped access to the main entrance; galleries 1 and 3 reachable by lift, galleries 4 and 5 by stairs only. Limited accessible parking and a drop-off point on the Royal Mile; free WiFi.

Nearby

City Art Centre

ArtFree3 min walk

Dovecot Studios

DesignFree3 min walk

Stills: Centre for Photography

ArtFree3 min walk

Fruitmarket

ArtFree4 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Museum of Childhood free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Museum of Childhood is free. Free entry for all; donations welcome. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by emailing museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Museum of Childhood?
Museum of Childhood is open Normally open seven days a week, 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Temporarily closed from 21 September 2026 for a gallery refresh and lighting upgrade; expected to reopen in January 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Museum of Childhood?
Museum of Childhood is located at 42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG, United Kingdom, in the Old Town (Royal Mile) area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Edinburgh Waverley railway station (7 min walk), St Andrew Square tram stop (10 min walk), Royal Mile / High Street bus stops (Skylink 300).
What can I see at Museum of Childhood?
The world's first museum of childhood: toys, dolls and dolls' houses stacked five galleries high on the Royal Mile. Current highlights include Queen Anne Doll (c1740), The Kindertransport Bear, Stanbrig Eorls Dolls' House.
Do I need to book Museum of Childhood in advance?
Museum of Childhood is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free entry for all; donations welcome. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by emailing museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Museum of Childhood?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Museum of Childhood accessible?
Ramped access to the main entrance; galleries 1 and 3 reachable by lift, galleries 4 and 5 by stairs only. Limited accessible parking and a drop-off point on the Royal Mile; free WiFi.

Pretzelles / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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