*The Visitor Centre and Cafe are closed until further notice. The shop will reopen on Thursday 3rd September operating Tuesday – Saturday 10am-4pm*

Relive the story of Britain’s best loved toys.

The Hornby Visitor Centre, Margate is a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Come and see our fascinating displays, featuring rare products from the Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi archives. Track the history of Hornby’s iconic model trains from Frank Hornby’s early home-made toys in sheet metal, through to the development of Hornby ‘O’ gauge and Hornby-Dublo.

Trace the development of Scalextric, the legendary slot car racing system, from its launch in the 1950s through to the latest detailed models. Follow the history of Airfix from the introduction of the 1949 Ferguson TE20 tractor kit through to the brand’s latest releases. Learn how Airfix models are made and see over 80 years of history, from the Mettoy tinplate toys of the 1930s to the high quality Corgi collectables of today. See our spectacular layouts and maybe treat yourself to something in our retail shop.

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Frank Hornby introduced a clockwork train into the market and 10th anniversary since the Hornby Visitor Centre opened 

Opening Times

*The Visitor Centre and Cafe are closed until further notice.
*The shop will reopen on Thursday 3rd September operating Tuesday – Saturday 10am-4pm


Open All Year 10am – 4pm

Entry Price

Day Tickets
Adult: £5
Child/Senior Citizen: £2.50
Family Ticket (2 Adults and up to 4 Children): £12.50

Annual Tickets
Single Ticket: £15
Family Ticket (2 Adults and up to 4 Children): £30

Group Tickets
Adult: £3.50
Child/Senior Citizen: £2
*Pre-booked groups with a minimum of eight people
*Pre-booked guided tours are also available (£10)