When we visited Hoghton Tower earlier in the year they had recommended visiting the Judges Lodgings. As the name implies this was where judges would lodge for a few weeks each year as they travelled round various courts in the North West and North East. The court was held in nearby Lancaster Castle.  There were various features to the house itself - a model of which is shown - but on the top floor is a Museum of Childhood and that contained several different Doll’s Houses.

The lighting wasn’t particularly good for photographs, nor the glass in front of each House. Most looked in need of some tender loving care.

There were also quite a few over-scale dolls getting in the way, with their over-scale dinner service. A few looked a bit severe.

The one above is made of tin, as is the model of log cutters on the right.

There were lots of other exhibits in the Museum.

And, for those visiting the gents’ loo, a warning I had not seen anywhere else before.

Gillows was the company that was based next door (and the sign is still there. There is a large collection of their furniture in the Lodgings and apparently it was a major furniture company a century ago. They weren’t responsible for the low loo, that has something to do with a false floor being put in.

Visited 6th November 2025