The Best Toy Shopping in London

Shopping for toys is about as much fun as you can have. Even better is giving kids a budget and a timer and saying ready, set, go! Life in London is full of history, adventure and mystery. The toy shops in and around London offering traditional and contemporary toys are excellent. So go and see these ones!

Hamleys

From its small beginnings in 1760, to its seven-storey shop on Regent Street, Hamleys has grown by leaps and bounds. Today it is the most well-known toy shop in London, stocking every manner of toy from the most popular brands. The online store is well organized and easy to navigate. If you prefer to examine the product, visit one of its 11 stores in UK and Ireland.

Address: 188-196 Regent Street, London W1B 5BT
Phone: 0371 704 1977
Website: www.hamleys.com/
Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus

Harrods Toy Kingdom

Harrods rebuilt their toy store to become one of the most amazing Toy Kingdom’s around. It has six individual worlds promising a full 4D experience. The Big Top, for fairground and circus acts, is where you’ll find magicians and jugglers on stage surrounded by fancy dress costumes, doll houses, rocking horses and soft toys. The Candy Store is for everything sweet. The Enchanted Forest has fairies which whisper from tree trunks. Wonderland is where the giant dragon watches over the action toys. Finally, The Odyssey is where a space rocket crashes through the floor and a huge sun bursts through the wall in front of an Area 51-inspired space and gadget zone, complete with alien space pods and limited-edition pieces.

Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL
Tel: 0333 300 1000
Website: www.harrods.com/content/the-store/news-events/2012/july/the-new-toy-kingdom
Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge

The Disney Store

This is the official Walt Disney store on Oxford Street,  and you’ll meet all the Disney characters here.

They do have an online store, but if you visit the shop you’ll see a huge Princess Castle in the front window, with the Princess gracing you with her presence at the window and Tinker Bell flitting around the castle.

Mickey & Donald guard the entrance of this enigmatic castle, which has a whole lot of mysteries in store for your kids, just like the store itself.

Address: 350-352 Oxford Street, London W1C 1JH
Tel: 0207 491 9136
Website: www.disneystore.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Bond Street

Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop

Benjamin Pollock was born in 1856 in Hoxton during the theatre trade boom. This shop, inspired by Pollock’s love for theatre, has been situated in Covent Garden since 1980. The shop still honours the tradition of “a penny plain and a twopence coloured”. You will find all manner of toy theatres and castings here, along with glove puppets, marionettes and other traditional “theatre toys”. The shop stocks contemporary toy theatres along with the original models from Pollock’s time.

Address: 44 The Market, London WC2E 8RF
Tel: 0207 379 7866
Website: www.pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Covent Garden

The Harry Potter Shop

Modelled on Ollivander’s wand shop, the Harry Potter Shop houses all manner of Harry Potter merchandise, from books, to apparel, to souvenirs.

Potter fans can find wands, Triwizard cups, Horcruxes, time turners, and much more in this world of magic and mystery.

Visitors say: “Fun little store with a fun photo opportunity. You can take pictures with your own photos in one of their four school scarves or they can take a picture for you.”

Address: Platform 9¾, King’s Cross Station, Euston Road, London N1 9AP
Tel: 0207 803 0500
Website: www.harrypotterplatform934.com/
Nearest tube station: King’s Cross St. Pancras

Honeyjam

Honey Bowdrey and Jasmin Guinness opened Honeyjam in 2006. This realised their childhood dream of a toy shop bursting with delightful toys hanging from the roof, spread across tables, and stuffed into every nook and cranny.

They call their toys pocket-money treats and have something to suit every child’s budget. Your children will find education, fun, tradition and contemporary design in the toys they buy. Every toy is a treasure to cherish.

Address: 2 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 1NN
Tel: 0207 243 0449
Website: www.honeyjam.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Ladbroke Grove

Puppet Planet

Glove puppets, puppets on rods and strings, and many more puppets are what you’ll find here in this quaint shop on Wandsworth Road. There’s also a little theatre where you can try out your skills before you purchase.

You can have your own lookalike designed or give one to your child. You will also find puppet accessories like jewellery, handkerchiefs and stationery here.

Address: 787 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 3JQ
Tel: 0207 627 0111
Website: puppetplanet.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Clapham Common

Science Museum Shop

Tap into the scientist in your child with a visit to the Science Museum Shop. Sometimes kids just need a gentle nudge to get really into something which is actually really creative for their minds. You will find intriguing toys for kids (and adults) of all ages, along with books and home wares. You can send in your wish list if you are looking for a particular toy or gadget. Check into the website to see their special offers.

Address: Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD
Tel: 0207 942 4000
Website: www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: South Kensington

Semmalina

A portmanteau of Emma and Sarah, Semmalina has a wide range of vintage toys preferred by celebrities.

The two sisters, Sarah Standing and Emma Forbes, cater to adult and kid events. They also sell clothes, costumes and toys for all ages.

Address: 225 Ebury Street, London SW1W 8UT
Tel: 0207 730 9333
Nearest tube station: Sloane Square

Sylvanian Families

Sylvanian Families are an adorable range of distinctive animal characters. They have charming and beautiful homes, furniture and accessories. The official shop for family toys, the shop stocks buildings, furniture, cute creatures and vehicles for toy families. Ask about their discounted lines and imported Japanese and American toys.

Address: 68 Mountgrove Road, London N5 2LT
Tel: 0207 226 1329
Website: www.sylvanianstorekeepers.com/
Nearest tube station: Arsenal

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