What do toy soldiers and tabletop wargaming really have in common?

In my latest video, I take a trip to the House on the Hill Toy Museum, home to one of the largest private toy collections in the world—and, crucially for us, an extraordinary display of toy soldiers spanning decades of history. From traditional lead figures to mass-produced plastics, the collection offers a fascinating glimpse into how generations before us experienced what we now call wargaming. For many tabletop wargamers, the journey into the hobby didn’t begin with rulebooks or organised games. It started with imagination. A handful of figures. A battlefield improvised from whatever was available. Romans fighting cowboys. WWII infantry clashing with medieval knights. It wasn’t historically accurate—but it was creative, immersive, and endlessly fun.

Walking through the museum, that sense of creativity is everywhere. The displays aren’t just about accuracy or completeness—they’re about storytelling. And that’s a powerful reminder that, even in today’s hobby with its focus on realism and detail, the core experience hasn’t really changed. We’re still telling stories. We’re still creating moments. We’re still playing.

The museum itself is more than just toy soldiers. It’s an “Aladdin’s cave” of nostalgia, featuring everything from pop culture exhibits like Star Wars to classic British television icons such as Only Fools and Horses and Doctor Who. It’s unpredictable, packed with personality, and full of surprises around every corner.

But for wargamers, the real value lies in what it represents. This is where the hobby began—not in carefully balanced systems or competitive play, but in imagination and playfulness. It’s a reminder that you don’t need perfect miniatures or terrain to enjoy wargaming. All you need is the willingness to create a story and see where it leads.

If you’re passionate about tabletop wargaming, historical miniatures, or the history of the hobby itself, this is a place well worth exploring.