London’s Top Toyshops

Besides all other qualities of this great city, London is also a child-friendly metropolis that offers plenty of activities for kids as well as a wide selection of stores selling kid’s toys of different kinds ranging from retro favourites to contemporary techno-gadgets and educational toys.

The Toy Store: The basic objective behind opening this huge store in Oxford Store has been development and learning of kids through the toys that are being offered. Another attribute of this store is that it provides an environment that is conducive for children to get entertainment by playing and interacting with many well-known characters. This massive 27,000 sq ft shop in the heart of London also provides live demonstrations so that the kids get familiar with the latest techno-gadgets and they get interested in them while improving their digital skills.

Hamleys: Founded in 1760 by William Hamley as Noah’s Ark in High Holborn in London, Hamleys is the oldest toy shop in the world. It moved to its current site in Regent Street in 1881 and has the reputation of being the best-known retailer of toys in the world. It offer more than 50,000 toys over seven floors of its premises and is also one of the major tourist destinations in London. It also offers its toys through ten other outlets in the UK and it has nearly 50 franchises worldwide. Every conceivable type of toy from all the popular brands is available in this toyshop which is the official supplier of toys to the nurseries and playrooms of the Queen and her children.

The Disney Store: A part of the international chain of speciality stores, the Disney Store on Oxford Street is the largest in Europe and it sells only Disney related items, with many of them being exclusive. It is a business unit of Disney Consumer Products. In its store on Oxford Street it has a fantastic glass store front that displays a 267 ft high Princess Castle with an animated clock where Princesses make appearances in windows and Tinkerbell flies across the walls all through the day. The whole environment in the store is based on Disney characters with Mickey and Donald sentries guarding the store and a whole lot of magical things taking place inside.

Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop: Originally established in 1856 in London’s Hoxton, Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop is now located in Covent Garden’s Market Building since 1980. It still offers the same paper toy theatres that it always has and it specialises in creative, educational and theatrical toys that nurture storytelling. It is highly popular with both residents and visitors to the city. It offers charming, traditional cut-out and make Victorian toy theatres, paper shadow boxes and pop-up puppet theatres. You can also find glove puppets, marionettes and other traditional toys with a theatrical theme.

 

Guests staying at Grand Royale London Hyde Park can easily walk across to Hyde Park and to many other attractions of the city as well as enjoy comfortable accommodation in this highly affordable hotel.

 

Honeyjam: Located just off Portobello Road, Honeyjam sells quirky and traditional toys that range from retro and vintage favourites to modern day fairtrade and eco-friendly toys. The shop’s name is based on the names of its founders; model Jasmin “Jam” Guinness and Honey Bowdrey.

The Harry Potter Shop: The Platform 9 3/4 store is designed to look like Ollivander’s wand shop taken right out of Harry Potter books. This magical shop sells all Harry Potter merchandise that a fan may desire to have. It is a miniature version of the original theme park selling collectibles like wands, time turners, Triwizard cups and Horcruxes, smaller items like board games and mugs, clothing, unique art, sweets, and recreations of artefacts from the Harry Potter books. If you wish to visit this small store, there may be a queue to enter as it can get quite crowded. It is best to leave any bulky bags outside the store.

Visitors to London looking for luxurious accommodation close to most attractions should opt for staying at The Shaftesbury Marble Arch Suites where they can also get the best of facilities and personalised services.

Puppet Planet: This store in Clapham offers puppets of all sorts such as puppets on strings, puppets on rods and glove puppets that come from all over the world. The magical store also offers a small theatre where you can put on a play and if you are looking for a really unique gift, you can ask for a “lookalike” marionette to be made especially for you. You can also find puppet-inspired jewellery and cards for sale here.

Science Museum Shop: The shop in the Science Museum offers all types of fun toys and gadgets, hands-on kits and science toys that are ideal for kids of all ages. These toys range from science putty and voice transformers to books and telescopes. Homewares and tech gadgets are also available for adults. You will find in-store demonstrations of toy aeroplanes and such other objects flying overhead.

Semmalina: It was founded by two sisters – TV presenter Emma Forbes and journalist Sarah Standing. The store now has a celebrity following as it sells a range of classic and vintage toys, clothes and dressing-up costumes. You can also find Starbags party bag service here that caters for grown-up events as also kids’ parties.

Sylvanian Families: The official London shop in Highbury, North London of Sylvanian Families offers and amazing array of Sylvanian Families toys that include cute creatures, buildings, furniture, vehicles and other such things. At the store, you will find the full UK range along with discontinued lines and items imported from Japan and America.