Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

Name: Museum of Childhood
Address: 42 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 131 529 4142

#96 among attractions in Edinburgh

Museum, Specialty museum

Gallery (2)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The Museum of Childhood is a museum which houses a collection of children's toys and playthings, situated on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood. ()

Alternative names: Established: 1955 (69 years ago)Visitors per year: 225 thous.Coordinates: 55°57'1"N, 3°11'8"W

Address

42 High StreetOld Town (Cowgate)Edinburgh EH1 1TB United Kingdom

Contact

+44 131 529 4142

Website

Social media

Add

Edinburgh

Day trips

Museum of Childhood – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Cockburn Street, St Giles' Cathedral, John Knox House, Thistle Chapel.

~750 ftW
Shopping, Shopping district
Cockburn Street, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, Cockburn Street is a vibrant and picturesque shopping district that offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary retail experience. This winding, cobbled street, which slopes steeply down from the Royal Mile...
~1100 ftW
Iconic Presbyterian place of worship
St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh
6 min walk • St Giles' Cathedral, often referred to as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands as a venerable beacon of Scotland's ecclesiastical history, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This majestic church, with its distinctive crown steeple piercing the skyline, is not...
~140 ftNE
Museum, History museum, Historical place
John Knox House, Edinburgh
1 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, the John Knox House is a remarkable museum that offers a glimpse into the turbulent times of the 16th century Scotland. This beautifully preserved medieval building is reputed to have been the home of the...
~1070 ftW
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Thistle Chapel, Edinburgh
6 min walk • Nestled within the historic walls of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Thistle Chapel stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and Scottish tradition. This intimate chapel, an addition to the cathedral completed in 1911, is the spiritual home of The Most...
~800 ftW
Museum, Art museum
City Art Centre, Edinburgh
4 min walk • The City Art Centre is part of the Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, which sits under the Culture directorate of the City of Edinburgh Council.
~1140 ftW
Game and entertainment center, Concerts and shows, Entertainment
Edinburgh Dungeon, Edinburgh
6 min walk • The Edinburgh Dungeon is an underground tourist attraction in Edinburgh's city centre, on East Market Street, which uses live actor shows and interactive rides to show various historical events from Scottish history in a scary fun style, with audience interaction and special effects, theatrical sets and performance.
~860 ftNW
Bridge
North Bridge, Edinburgh
5 min walk • North Bridge is a road bridge and street in Edinburgh linking the High Street with Princes Street, and the Old Town with the New Town. The current bridge was built between 1894 and 1897. A previous North Bridge, built between 1763 and 1772, stood until 1896.
~510 ftS
Museum, Specialty museum
St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh
3 min walk • St Cecilia's Hall is a small concert hall and museum in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. It is on the corner of Niddry Street and the Cowgate, about 168 metres south of the Royal Mile. The hall dates from 1763 and was the first purpose-built concert hall in Scotland. It is a Category A listed building.
~1020 ftW
Haunted tours through now-hidden alleys
Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
5 min walk • Mary King's Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.
~1130 ftN
Memorial, Concerts and shows
Political Martyrs' Monument, Edinburgh
6 min walk • The Political Martyrs Monument, located in the Old Calton Burial Ground on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, commemorates five political reformists from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
~890 ftNW
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
5 min walk • The Fruitmarket Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. Since its opening in 1974, the gallery has become part of the Scottish contemporary art scene. After a period of closure to undergo a significant renovation, the gallery reopened in 2021 with expanded exhibition space and facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Museum of Childhood open?

Museum of Childhood is open:

Monday 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday closed
Wednesday closed
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Museum of Childhood?

Nearby attractions include John Knox House, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Moubray House, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Carrubbers Christian Centre, Edinburgh (1 min walk), St Patrick's Church, Edinburgh (2 min walk).

How to get to Museum of Childhood by public transport?

The nearest stations to Museum of Childhood:

Bus

South Bridge • Lines: 29, 3, 31, 37, 49, 51 (3 min walk)
North Bridge • Lines: 14, 29, 3, 31, 37, 49, 51, 7, 8 (4 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (6 min walk)

Tram

St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (11 min walk)
Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (13 min walk)