Ty Twt Dolls House And Toy Museum
Small private museum in Newport with dolls’ houses from every period since 1840 and a wide range of vintage toys.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Ty Twt Dolls House and Toy Museum grew from the childhood toys of two sisters, Pam and Val Ripley. In 1939 their father returned to the Army and the family’s belongings, including Val’s early 1930s dolls’ house The Gables and its original contents, were put into store for what was meant to be a short time. They stayed in crates through the war and were found again in the late 1970s after their mother’s death.
The sisters decided to build on the discovery. Over the following decades they collected a dolls’ house from every period from 1840 to the present day, each furnished only with items from its own date, together with stables, shops, theatres, schools, room settings, soft toys, tin and mechanical toys and games. The museum opened in 2010 in Newport, where the sisters had spent childhood holidays.
The collection shows how family life and home furnishings changed over some 170 years and appeals to both adults and children. Press reports say that Val Ripley has bequeathed the collection to Pembrokeshire County Council, which plans a permanent gallery for it at Scolton Manor, the county museum.
Highlights
- Dolls’ houses from every period between 1840 and today
- The Gables, an early 1930s dolls’ house with original contents
- Victorian stables, shops, theatres and schools
- Tin, mechanical and soft toys and games
Permanent exhibition
- Dolls’ houses and toys – A private collection of fully furnished dolls’ houses from 1840 to the present and vintage toys of all kinds.
- Founded
- 2010
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £1.50 |
| Families | £82 adults and 2 or 3 children. |
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is level access to the main exhibition rooms; an additional toy display is upstairs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £8 · 2 adults and 2 or 3 children. |
|---|
The museum describes itself as fascinating for grown-ups and children and welcomes school groups.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus routes 412 and 405 (Poppit Rocket) from Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan stop about two minutes’ walk from the museum.
By car
Parking available
The nearest car park is in Long Street, opposite the Tourist Information Centre (satnav postcode SA42 0TJ).
The museum is on Market Street in Newport.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visits outside the school-holiday opening days are by appointment. |
|---|
