Name: Hornby Visitor Centre
Rating: 5.0

Hornby Visitor Centre

Hornby Hobbies Ltd, Westwood Industrial Estate, Westwood, Margate, Kent CT9 4JX, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

The WonderWorks, formerly known as the Hornby Visitor Centre, is one of the best things to do with kids in Margate for families who love model trains, racing cars, and creative play. Located in the heart of the home of Hornby, this venue offers an immersive look at Britain’s most iconic hobby brands, including Hornby, Scalextric, and Airfix. It is a fantastic destination for families to explore over 100 years of toy history through interactive exhibits.

Price starts from £5.00 for Adults(18 years and over), £2.50 for Children(5-15 yrs & under 5s free) and £12.50 for Family(2 adults & up to 4 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, The WonderWorks offers a perfect mix of nostalgia and hands-on fun. Whether you are racing slot cars or building your own models, it is an ideal spot to spark your child's creativity and share in a bit of British hobby heritage.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Scalextric Tracks: Go wheel-to-wheel on legendary layouts, including the Grand Prix Du Margate Circuit and Batman’s Gotham City.
Airfix Modelling Zone: Explore the history of Airfix from the 1930s to today and craft your own models at the Quickbuild station.
Educational History: Discover over a century of toy evolution, from Frank Hornby’s first tinplate inventions to modern digital train control.
Immersive Displays: Walk through a narrative-driven experience that showcases the precision and art behind Britain's most loved model brands.
Family-Friendly Workshops: Participate in craft and hobby sessions designed to get kids hands-on with model-making.

Top 5 Highlights

The Grand Prix Du Margate Circuit: This iconic Scalextric track lets kids and parents race head-to-head, making it the most popular hands-on experience in the centre.
Airfix WWII Dioramas: These incredibly detailed battle scenes bring history to life and show the extreme precision involved in model-making.
Frank Hornby’s Original Tinplate: See the very first home-made toys from the 1930s that started the entire Hornby legacy over 100 years ago.
Interactive Train Layouts: Control your own train journey through miniature landscapes and see how the technology behind model railways has progressed.
Life-Sized Airfix Sprue: Step into the frame for a unique photo opportunity that makes you look like a brand-new model kit waiting to be built.

Facilities

Café: Serves hot drinks, paninis, sandwiches, and home-baked treats.
Shop: Browse the latest Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix, and Corgi ranges.
Accessibility: Step-free access throughout the venue, including accessible toilets and designated parking.
Baby Changing: Facilities are available on-site.

Pro-Tips

Free Access: If you only want to visit the shop or have a coffee in the café, you do not need to pay for an entry ticket.
Off-Peak Visits: Weekdays are generally quieter, allowing you to spend more time on the Scalextric tracks without waiting.
Combine with Beach Time: Margate is a popular seaside town; consider arriving early to enjoy the beach before heading indoors to the museum.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? While the museum is visually stimulating with its trains and cars, it is best suited for children aged 5 and up who can manage the controller-based exhibits and modelling stations.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours at The WonderWorks, which is enough time to enjoy the tracks, view the exhibits, and have a snack.
Where is the best place to park? There is free on-site parking available directly at The WonderWorks, making it extremely convenient for families travelling by car.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love:

The interactive nature of the Scalextric tracks is frequently cited as the main reason kids are engaged for hours.
Parents appreciate the low cost of entry, noting that it provides excellent value compared to other major attractions.
The staff are often praised for being knowledgeable and helpful, particularly when helping children get started with their first model kits.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Some visitors mention that the centre is smaller than they expected, so it is best viewed as a half-day activity rather than a full-day event.
During school holidays, the busiest exhibits can have a short wait time.
A few parents have noted that while there is plenty to see, the venue could benefit from even more hands-on activities for very young toddlers.

What to see

Detailed Inventory: Exhibits & Collections

Frank Hornby’s 1930s Tinplate Collection: Early mechanical toys that set the standard for the company.
The 24 Rare Model Cars: An exclusive showcase of some of the most sought-after miniature vehicles.
Airfix Quickbuild Station: A brick-based modelling area specifically designed for younger children to build without glue or paint.
Scalextric Evolution Display: A timeline exhibit showing the mechanical shift from basic electric tinplate cars to high-detail plastic models.
Corgi Die-Cast Archives: A curated display of the most iconic die-cast vehicles produced throughout the brand's history.
Pocher Precision Models: High-end, intricate vehicle replicas that showcase the peak of model engineering.
Thomas and Friends Track: A dedicated interactive railway section that is a guaranteed hit with younger visitors.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Dreamland Margate: A vintage-style amusement park located nearby, perfect for extending your family day out.
Margate Main Sands: Just a short distance away, these iconic sandy beaches offer a classic British seaside experience.
Turner Contemporary: A world-class art gallery situated on the seafront, ideal for a more cultural afternoon.

New for 2026: Updates at The WonderWorks

The WonderWorks continues to evolve in 2026 with an expanded calendar of events and community-focused initiatives:
Hornby Hobbies x One:One Collection Open Weekend (15–16 August 2026): Celebrating 100 years of Thanet’s railway stations, this major event offers visitors a rare, exclusive preview of the developing One:One Collection museum, featuring full-size locomotives like the Black 5 and Royal Scot, alongside hands-on hobby fun and live entertainment.
Expanded Community Programming: The venue has introduced regular weekly "Mother & Baby" sessions every Tuesday in term time, providing a relaxed, social space in the café, alongside specialist events like the Porsche Club GB meet and ongoing seasonal Scalextric racing tournaments.
Immersive Seasonal Activity Zones: Throughout 2026, the centre is hosting a rotating series of hands-on workshops, including the "Future Engineers" style activities and themed holiday events, ensuring that repeat visitors can enjoy new interactive challenges, such as the "Fastest Lap" Scalextric tournaments and Airfix "Make and Paint" sessions.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here .

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult: £5.00.
Child (5–15): £2.50.
Concession (60+): £2.50.
Student: £2.50 (with valid ID).
Family (2 Adults & up to 4 Children): £12.50.
Adult Annual Pass: £15.00.
Family Annual Pass: £30.00.

Pricing URL: https://www.wonderworksmargate.co.uk/tickets-and-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The WonderWorks offers group booking packages suitable for birthday parties. Special rates are available for group bookings and kids' parties. Contact them directly to organize your event.

Open: 10am – 4pm, seven days a week.

Address: Hornby Hobbies Ltd, Westwood Industrial Estate, Westwood, Margate, Kent CT9 4JX, UK

Post Code: CT9 4JX

Council: Thanet

County: Kent

By Rail: There are frequent trains from London Victoria and Charing Cross to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Journey times are approximately 1 hour 50 minutes (Victoria).
By Bus: The Thanet Loop runs from Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate. The Loop will drop you off outside the Hornby building.