BMSS National Collection

The British Model Soldier Society's National Collection is one of the finest collections of model soldiers in the world, and is on display to the public at two separate locations, Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and in Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.  It first opened on 6th April 1974 at Dodington House, but the growth in size of the Collection caused a move to Hatfield House in 1978.  Over the years the exhibition at Hatfield developed into a most professionally organised and exhibited asset, with long-term planning and growth very much in mind.

The National Collection received the Bamford bequest in 1986.  This immense collection of toy soldiers contained many rare items, including large numbers of mint condition Britains figures.  Adding these gave the Society one of the best old toy soldier collections in the country.  The bulk of the Bamford collection was put on display at Hatfield in this year.  Also added to the display was a striking display of the Trooping the Colour Ceremony, made by the National Collection Curator, which had taken him two and a half years to complete. Among other major bequests were the collections of the late Robert John Grazier and of Jack Higgs.  Adding to these bequests were the continuing donations of figures by Society members and some purchases, all the while building to an unrivalled collection of the art of the model soldier.

At Hatfield there are now eleven showcases devoted to the collection, each showing a particular aspect of the world of model soldiers.  They include toy style figures displayed to best advantage in parade settings; a large display of "Britains Toy Soldiers", showing the huge range of figures produced by this most famous of manufacturers representing armies from all round the world; figures and groups from various eras including Napoleonic; the 17th and 18th Centuries; Viking and Medieval; and the World Wars, including the John Sandars collection of scratchbuilt vehicles and the Jack Higgs collection.

Although it had never been originally intended for the National Collection to be split over two venues the size of the collection eventually made this essential, and there were benefits from bringing more of the collection to the attention of the public.  A second smaller display was located in the Redoubt at Eastbourne, which opened to the public in 1993.  Owing to a change in policy by Eastbourne Council, this display was re-located to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, in 2002.

Over twenty years of evolution and growth has culminated in the best organised and laid out displays of model soldiers ever seen in this country.

Both venues are open from Easter each year through until the autumn.  They are open to the public, and BMSS members can gain free admission with their membership card.