The Hornby Visitor Centre, Margate

Join us for a journey through the history of Britain’s best loved toys.

HORNBY – From days of steam to modern times

Track the history of Hornby’s iconic model trains from Frank Hornby’s early home-made toys in sheetmetal, through the development of Hornby ‘O’ gauge and Hornby-Dublo to innovations such as ‘Live Steam’.  Look out for landmark models including Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’, ‘Flying Scotsman’ and the ‘Blue Pullman’. Don’t miss the spectacular model railway layouts.

• Hornby models from 1921 to 2010
• Day and night-time model railway layouts
• 1937 ‘O’ gauge LMS Princess Elizabeth locomotive
• Original 1921 clockwork ‘O’ gauge locomotive made in Liverpool.

Cinema and collectables

Discover the World of Hornby on film and admire the display of rare models from the Hornby archive. You may even catch a glimpse of the Pullman train as it runs past the viewing windows.

SCALEXTRIC – Try a test drive!

Trace the development of Scalextric, the legendary slot car racing system, from its launch in the 1950s through to the latest detailed models.  You can learn how a Scalextric model is made from design to production. Take on your friends and family as you test your racing skills on the Scalextric Digital circuit.

• Decade-by-decade displays of models, from the 1950s to 2000s
• Spiral layout as featured in the ‘James May’s Toy Stories’ TV show
• See how a Scalextric car is developed.

AIRFIX – The Fun’s off the Scale

Follow the history of Airfix from the launch of the 1949 Ferguson TE20 tractor kit through to thebrand’s latest releases.

• Detailed dioramas with aircraft, ships, military vehicles and classic cars
• Vintage Airfix literature and packaging
• Humbrol paints – the little tin with the big history
• Learn how an Airfix model is made.

CORGI – Making the Great Small

A fine pedigree.

From its humble beginnings in a Northampton workshop, Corgi has grown to become one of the great names of British toys, producing a huge range of die cast toys and collectables.

• Classic Mettoy tinplate models
• Decade-by-decade displays of Corgi models
• Follow the development process of a new Corgi mode

INTERNATIONAL BRANDS

Discover the elegant continental locomotives, coaches and wagons produced by famous European manufacturers Jouef, Lima, Arnold, Rivarossi and Electrotren.

Ticket Prices 2011

• Adults - £4
  
• Senior Citizens - £2
  
• Children (ages 5-15) - £2
  
• Family Tickets (2 Adults and up to 4 children) - £10

Group Bookings

• 01843 233524
  

VISITOR CENTRE SHOP

Don’t forget to browse the latest Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi releases in our well-stocked shop.

HOW TO FIND

The Hornby Visitor Centre is located on the A254 Ramsgate Road between the Westwood Cross Shopping Centre and Margate.

• The Hornby Visitor Centre, Westwood, Margate, Kent, CT9 4JX
• 01843 233525
• www.hornby.com/visitorcentre

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