Included with museum admission, under 18s go free

Step into a world of fantastical characters that move as if with a life of their own. Turn handles, set figures in motion, and watch stories spring to life before your eyes. Every twist, spin, and click brings something surprising, magical, and delightfully mechanical into action.

Tick Tock Marvels invites children, families, and curious minds of all ages on an interactive journey into the wild and wonderful world of automata. Explore jungles and deep seas where imagination meets movement, and where art comes alive through science and engineering.

From playful, whimsical creations to impressive feats of mechanics this is perfect for families looking for something different to do in the summer holidays with hands-on play, problem-solving, and shared moments of discovery.

The exhibition features work by celebrated automata maker Keith Newstead (creator of the much-loved Flying Reiver), alongside pieces inspired by Gormenghast’s Castle from Mervyn Peake’s fantasy book series Titus Groan. It also includes a wealth of automata from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre’s extraordinary collection and archive, showcasing the history and evolution of this captivating craft in a way that is engaging for all ages.

Pictured: Anubis in Montmartre (c) Paul Spooner. 

The Marvellous Mechanical Museum is developed and toured by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre.