Montacute TV Radio Toy Museum

About the museum

The museum was inspired by Dennis Greenham, a radio and television pioneer who started a radio repair business in the village of Norton-sub-Hamdon in 1930. In the 1950s he bought a shop, workshops and stores in Montacute that had previously been a radio and bicycle shop. His son-in-law, Alan Hicken, set up the museum in outbuildings on this site in the early 1980s, and it has been open to the public as a private museum since 1989. Alan Hicken continues to look after the collection.

The collection grew from radios, televisions and other items that Dennis Greenham had kept in outbuildings and in the old granary. It concentrates on radio and television from the 1920s onwards, with more than 600 vintage and novelty radios and television sets, and it adds thousands of toys, books, annuals, jigsaws and games linked to television and radio programmes.

Displays include life-size figures of television characters, original props, staged scenes such as a second-hand television and radio shop, and an area with Doctor Who figures, Daleks and robots. The same premises also house a tea room and a bed and breakfast. The museum and tea room have traditionally been seasonal, opening from the Easter school holidays until the end of the Halloween half term.

Highlights

• More than 600 vintage and novelty radios and television sets
• Toys, books, annuals and games linked to television and radio programmes
• Life-size figures of television characters and original props
• Doctor Who area with Daleks and Cybermen
• Country tea room with a conservatory and garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Radios, televisions and toys – More than 600 vintage and novelty radios and televisions, with toys, books and games linked to television and radio programmes.
• Step into the Tardis – A themed area with Doctor Who figures from past to present, Daleks, Cybermen and a giant robot.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Alan Hicken (private museum)

Admission & discounts

These are the 2019 prices shown on the museum's website; there is no admission charge for the tea room or shop.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is all on the ground floor and has a side entrance for wheelchair users, with a level approach and dropped kerb; visitors should ask staff to open it. There are small changes of level in places, but most wheelchairs can get around. There are no disabled toilets; the nearest is at Montacute House. Quiet, well-behaved dogs are allowed in the museum and tea room.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities: not available

The museum describes itself as fun for the whole family and has a Doctor Who area and children's television displays. There is no baby changing room.

Getting there & parking

Montacute is in South Somerset near the Dorset border, just off the A303. From the A303 take the A3088 at Cartgate roundabout; from Yeovil follow the A3088. The museum is in the village centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Country tea room with a conservatory and garden serving cream teas, cakes and lunches. The museum shop sells items related to television and radio. Two toilets are on site; baby food is not sold but staff can warm baby products.

Events & venue rental

The museum's website shows a closure notice and has not been updated since 2021; please contact the museum for the current situation.

Plan your visit