A Warm Welcome To
House of Marbles
Our main business is producing quality classic toys, games, gifts and books. However, you’ll discover that there’s more to our establishment than simply shopping!
Having been in operation since 1973, we have been delivering our exclusive collection worldwide, which we design at our headquarters located in Bovey Tracey. Over time, our location in Devon has evolved to encompass an array of attractions such as a glassworks studio, a restaurant, a games garden, a gift shop like no other and various museums, which you can explore today.
We invite you to visit and see our range of activities. Enjoy free entry and parking. Discover what we’ve got for you!
Marble Runs
Like you’ve never seen before! You can set our unique and interactive marble runs going yourself at any time. With five great designs can be found in our marble museum, the one you will really want to see is our sixth and giant-sized ‘Snooki 2000’ – possibly the largest permanent marble run structure in the UK, or even the world! It is located in our upstairs shop (but can be viewed from the downstairs shop if needed).
All our marble runs are designed and made by Alex Schmid.
You can now view our amazing bespoke Marble Runs on our YouTube Channel.
Amazing Museums
Glass & Marble
Explore a 4000-year history of glass, including how it is made and the development of techniques over the centuries.
Browse our vast collection of marbles too, including end of day marbles, sulphites & one of every marble we have ever produced!
Games Museum
Step back in time and look through the collection of board games, marble games and bagatelles from as early as the 1600’s. Some of these may spark a childhood memory or two!
Pottery Museum
A look at the rich history of pottery making on our site. With artefacts, models, and our surviving muffle kilns, you’ll find the past coming to life right before your eyes…
Shopping
Our Emporium stocks everything from our own brand toys & games to special gifts, furniture, confectionery and ladieswear to all the things you might expect, including of course marbles.
You will find lots of our suppliers are Devon-based or with products “made in the UK”: We always try to support other local independent businesses, wherever possible, which sets our products apart from many you will find on the high street!
Teign Valley Glass Studio
You can watch our highly skilled craftsmen at work from the viewing gallery, which offers a bird’s eye view.
Watch as molten glass is shaped, blown, moulded, pinched, and cut into amazing pieces of glass. You will be blown away!
Our glassworks is perfectly placed so you can see items being made and can usually purchase the same item from the studio shop… How often can you say you own something that you’ve actually seen being made?
Glass art pieces range from affordable to exclusive, plus there’s a sample area with unique items at greatly reduced prices too. We believe there is something here for most budgets.
The Old Pottery Restaurant
The Old Pottery is our fully-licenced daytime restaurant, so called because it’s situated in the area where pottery used to be prepared & finished. You will find many pictures of the potters & painters who used to work in here, decorating the walls of this atmospheric area.
We also have our ‘Pottery By Night’ evening restaurant with lots of culinary events throughout the year, plus private hire available on request.
Games Garden
In our courtyard garden you’ll find a giant floating marble, giant games and a (regular sized) children’s climbing frame, plus our listed kilns. There’s a marble-playing area too, where you can stretch those hands & wow family members or friends with your knuckle down skills.
What marble playing games do you remember? Refresh your memory with our Pocket Book of Marbles or take a look at our list of popular marble games.
Brass Rubbing Trail
A great way to explore the whole site, enabling children & adults alike to learn and really make the most of their visit. While aimed towards young families, those of all ages can take part, even if you don’t have children with you. Suitable from 4 years + with assistance.
Just £1 including crayons & a keepsake booklet, to be purchased on the day of your visit (no need to book in advance). This tour is self-guided so it will take as long as you want – we recommend planning a minimum of 30 minutes.
For Children & Families
You will be entertained for hours by our wonderful array of marble runs, animated animals, fairground mirrors, penny press and our giant floating marble. You will also discover lots of interesting hidden amusements in almost every nook and cranny of our site, but we will let you discover these for yourselves rather than spoil all the fun – our top tip is to look for the secret door in the garden area and don’t forget to find our loveable snoring bear!
For the more discerning visitor
You can tour the site’s historic trail with museums of glass, games, marbles, and Bovey Pottery as well as our listed kilns. Many of our visitors find they can while away several hours just browsing our gift shop, glassworks and taking refreshments in our licensed restaurant.
Our Range
From the ridiculous to the sublime, we have been manufacturing our unusual range of traditional games, puzzles, toys, marbles and glassware for many years. We are purveyors of fine curios, and you will see when you visit us that our collection of vintage and antique wares are rivalled only by our current range!
Take a look at our toys, games and marbles in our online shop.
Take a look at this video review of our site by Award Winning Blogger Gina Caro from Gypsy Soul.
Recognised Venue
We have been recognised by a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Awards in consecutive years from 2014 - 2019, and the new Traveller’s Choice Award in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023!
