The Hornby Visitor Centre
The Hornby Visitor Centre is a museum in Margate dedicated to model railways, cars, and aircraft, featuring detailed displays and working layouts with trains running on tracks. The building shows scenes from different parts of the country and highlights the history of Hornby Hobbies and other major British toy brands like Corgi and Airfix.
Hornby was founded in 1901 and became one of Britain's most famous makers of model trains and hobby products for generations. The center displays how the company developed over the decades and shaped the way people approached model building and collecting.
The center keeps the tradition of model railways and hobbies alive, showing how these activities have been part of British home life for generations. Visitors can see displays that reflect the role these hobbies played in local communities and family gatherings.
The center is located in Margate near the train station and parking areas, making it easy to reach whether you travel by car or public transport. Inside, you can watch model trains run, try hands-on activities, grab food at the café, and browse the shop for hobby items.
The center is part of Hornby Hobbies' WonderWorks project and displays not only Hornby products but also the history of other leading British brands like Corgi and Airfix. Many visitors are surprised to discover how model railways and building kits were central activities in family life for decades.
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