Pollock's Toy Museum & Shop
Pollock's Toy Museum & Shop
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Pollock's Toy Museum is the oldest Toy Museum in the UK. House in two atmospheric buildings filled with over 4000 toys from around the world. At its heart, is the toy theatre collection. The Museum is named after Mr Pollock the last of the Victorian toy theatre publishers and still makes and sells theatres.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Fitzrovia
This sophisticated and sociable slice of Central London is a shopper’s paradise, offering the latest fashions, gadgets, and souvenirs. Fitzrovia is conveniently located between the major retail thoroughfares of Regent Street to the west and Tottenham Court Road to the east, with a handful of well connected Tube stations dotted around the area for easy transport. This neighbourhood is a favorite among foodies as well, with an impressive number of quality restaurants, pubs, cafes and food shops vying for your patronage – especially along Charlotte Street and near Goodge Street Station.
How to get there
- Goodge St • 1 min walk
- Tottenham Court Road • 7 min walk
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4.0
167 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
47
Average
28
Poor
18
Terrible
8
Anna M-B
Redruth, UK23 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
A beautiful hidden gem.
This a fabulous collection and a wonderful experience. The gift shop at the end was a lovely surprise and I managed to get a few nostalgic toys (wish we wernt so limited on luggage space else I would have bought a lot more!)
The place is small (which adds to the charm) but I can imagine it would be difficult to navigate when busy. There were 6 people in the museum at the time which was great as we were all in seperate rooms. I loved the way that there was one path to follow which ensured you didn't miss anything.
You simply must pay in cash to see the old fashioned till in use! This was a completely unexpected surprise! (they do accept card!) but cash just completes the experience.
This a fabulous collection and a wonderful experience. The gift shop at the end was a lovely surprise and I managed to get a few nostalgic toys (wish we wernt so limited on luggage space else I would have bought a lot more!)
The place is small (which adds to the charm) but I can imagine it would be difficult to navigate when busy. There were 6 people in the museum at the time which was great as we were all in seperate rooms. I loved the way that there was one path to follow which ensured you didn't miss anything.
You simply must pay in cash to see the old fashioned till in use! This was a completely unexpected surprise! (they do accept card!) but cash just completes the experience.
Written 18 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pelham_11
Ironbridge, UK263 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
What memories are contained here! You are taken back to your childhood with this comprehensive collection. It’s a quirky building with lots of stairs to climb and various nooks and crannies. Be prepared to take some time to absorb the details. This is a London institution, full of history and any visitor to this great city should certainly pay a visit.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elle C
1 contribution
Jul 2021
Pollock's Toy Museum is one of the most magical places you'll visit. Steeped in history and full to the brim of beautiful old toys, you'll get lost in the collection as you wind through the rooms. Now run by a young couple Emily and Jack, it's amazing to see such a prominent historical museum of childhood artifacts run with such enthusiasm and love.
They said they soon have a busy program of things going on this autumn, so we'll be back ourselves to check it out.
We'd highly recommend a visit!
They said they soon have a busy program of things going on this autumn, so we'll be back ourselves to check it out.
We'd highly recommend a visit!
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anorman93
London, UK47 contributions
Dec 2022
This place is quaint and interesting. Bit expensive to get in but I suppose that's because of where they are so hey ho. But once inside it really takes you back in time and you are bound to see some old favourites as well as lovely Victorian dolls and rocking horses. Building feels strangely creepy adding to the effect.
Two ladys behind the desk were nice (visited on 15th December at 1200). I used to live in Goodge St years ago so nice to see the area again.
Gift shop has some interesting bits for sale and looks like it's full of curiosities when you enter.
Well worth a visit.
Two ladys behind the desk were nice (visited on 15th December at 1200). I used to live in Goodge St years ago so nice to see the area again.
Gift shop has some interesting bits for sale and looks like it's full of curiosities when you enter.
Well worth a visit.
Written 19 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdamNoelDobson
Randburg, South Africa100 contributions
Sept 2022
I found this museum by accident, and I am very glad I decided to explore. The vast and interesting collection is almost too much to absorb in a single visit. A great deal of time and care has gone into curating the sprawling number of toys and games that are in display, and there is not a single wall or space that has not been used. It intrigued me to see toys and pastimes from the last two centuries, as well as be reminded of some of the toys and games lost in memory from my own childhood. Toys say so much about the time, culture and places they originate, and in some ways reflect the zeitgeist of their location. It's all housed in a beautifully ramshackle building, and the gentleman on duty at the desk when I ventured in was polite and helpful. I enjoyed this little detour and recommend it.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter C
Portsmouth, UK122 contributions
Aug 2022
We loved this museum. As two 'oldish' codgers in our 60s, this brought back so many memories of toys and games from our childhood, which we'd forgotten about.
The museum is packed with items and memories in a couple of delightul old buildings full of atmosphere. The young man on the desk when we went in was charming, welcoming and very friendly.
This a little gem of a place, and we can thoroughly recommend it - I'm very surprised at the bad review on Trip Advisor.
The museum is packed with items and memories in a couple of delightul old buildings full of atmosphere. The young man on the desk when we went in was charming, welcoming and very friendly.
This a little gem of a place, and we can thoroughly recommend it - I'm very surprised at the bad review on Trip Advisor.
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reflectorgo
Cork, Ireland550 contributions
Oct 2019
Wonderful and unique place,a couple of ancient houses filled with vintage toys, but its a real bit of old London. This was the collection of a woman who left it to her son who does not seem to get his act together, and there was a big dispute over it. If it needs a bit of TLC this is the reason why but for me this gives it some of its charm, this is not some corporate place but has its own story. I hope it survives because it is truly unique - go and see it if you are in London!
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne
22 contributions
Nov 2021
Brilliant! For gods sake don`t alter it one bit! If all some people are worried about is its antiquatedness and a bit of dust, well, my heart cries out to them.
Greatest asset is the fact that there is no digital interactive nonsense. One just uses ones own senses and wonderment at it all. Long may it continue.
Greatest asset is the fact that there is no digital interactive nonsense. One just uses ones own senses and wonderment at it all. Long may it continue.
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandygranny
Sandy, UK935 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it very interesting - it is an unusual collection of toys in two old houses. You have to pay £6 to get in, which we thought was reasonable.
There are so many toys here, teddy bears, Sooty, Sweep and Sue, scary dolls with beady eyes, dolls houses and miniature theatres, which brought back many memories of childhood.
The museum is quite cluttered and there are some very steep and narrow stairs to climb, it is definitely not suitable for the disabled or people with mobility problems. The rooms have very low ceilings so if you are tall, mind your head!
I particularly liked the Victorian dolls’ houses and toy theatres and there were hundreds of games and puzzles.
We were told the museum is still run by the grandson of the original owner. It was like travelling back in time, there are no computer games here and we did not see any battery operated toys!
It really is worth a visit and is close to the British Museum.
There are so many toys here, teddy bears, Sooty, Sweep and Sue, scary dolls with beady eyes, dolls houses and miniature theatres, which brought back many memories of childhood.
The museum is quite cluttered and there are some very steep and narrow stairs to climb, it is definitely not suitable for the disabled or people with mobility problems. The rooms have very low ceilings so if you are tall, mind your head!
I particularly liked the Victorian dolls’ houses and toy theatres and there were hundreds of games and puzzles.
We were told the museum is still run by the grandson of the original owner. It was like travelling back in time, there are no computer games here and we did not see any battery operated toys!
It really is worth a visit and is close to the British Museum.
Written 26 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandygranny
Sandy, UK935 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We visited this quirky little museum again while visiting other attractions nearby. The museum is a very interesting place, it is in two old houses close to the British Museum and there are a lot of rooms to explore with dozens of display cabinets filled with interesting toy collections.
Pollocks Toy Museum is definitely worth a visit. However, it is not suitable for the disabled or people with mobility problems. The rooms have very low ceilings so if you are tall, mind your head!
There is an old fashioned toy shop on the ground floor with some fascinating items on display.
Pollocks Toy Museum is definitely worth a visit. However, it is not suitable for the disabled or people with mobility problems. The rooms have very low ceilings so if you are tall, mind your head!
There is an old fashioned toy shop on the ground floor with some fascinating items on display.
Written 30 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much is the entrance to pollocks you museum
Written 26 June 2017
Admission Charges
Adult £6
Child £3
Senior/Student £5
Opening Times
Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Last admission to Museum 4.30pm
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays
Written 26 June 2017
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