Pollocks Toy Museum
Toy museum · Fitzrovia
1 Scala St, London W1T 2HL, United Kingdom
Permanently Closed
Highlights
Nestled in a cozy Georgian townhouse, Pollock's Toy Museum overflows with nostalgic toys and charming whimsy, making it a must-visit for plaything enthusiasts.
"Steeped in history, this family run business, passed on through generations, is a glimpse into Victorian era toys and collectables. Set within two creaky, atmospheric Georgian town houses, this time-capsule collection includes an 1830’s rocking horse, Red Indian and Eskimo toys, magic lanterns, tanks and trains, Chinese pantomime dragons, a neighbourhood of dolls houses and paper theatres from all over the world. The museum is small and values its independence. It’s not trying to compete with the big institutions like the British Museum down the road. It’s a different, offbeat kind of place appealing to a different kind of sensibility." - UsVs
·
Jun 11, 2024
"In a dimly lit Victorian building with rickety staircases, the china dolls and tin soldiers sit patiently on dusty shelves awaiting their visitors. The toy theatres of the 1800’s, an all but forgotten craft that required intricate printing plates and lovingly constructed characters are displayed as if they never fell out of favor. The Pollock’s Toy Museum is named after Benjamin Pollock, one of the last printers in the toy theatre trade. A hugely popular pastime of the 1800’s, people enjoyed assembling the craft kits that would unfold into their favorite stage plays, and allow them to reenact those performances at home with their families. In the 19th century, stage theatre began to shift into formats that didn’t lend themselves easily to the toy theatre, and they fell out of favor. Dedicated to preserving and appreciating the lost art of toy theatre, as well as all other types of antique playthings, the 100 year old toy shop turned museum is now housed in two adjacent buildings that serve as a retail shop as well. The displays, while appropriate for all ages, are not for those easily disturbed by leering string puppets or glass-eyed baby dolls." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
·
Nov 4, 2022
"Pollock's Toy Museum, Fitzrovia. Steeped in history, this family run business, passed on through generations, is a glimpse into Victorian era toys and collectables. Set within two creaky, atmospheric Georgian town houses, this time-capsule collection includes an 1830’s rocking horse, Red Indian and Eskimo toys, magic lanterns, tanks and trains, Chinese pantomime dragons, a neighbourhood of dolls houses and paper theatres from all over the world. The museum is small and values its independence. It’s not trying to compete with the big institutions like the British Museum down the road. It’s a different, offbeat kind of place appealing to a different kind of sensibility."
London
·
Mar 16, 2022
Shipra Suman
Google
Located in the heart of London, Pollock's Toy Museum is a true hidden gem for toy enthusiasts and anyone seeking a nostalgic journey through the history of playthings. Tucked away in a charming Georgian townhouse, this museum offers a delightful and whimsical experience that is sure to captivate visitors of all ages.
The museum's charm lies not only in its impressive collection but also in the way it is presented. The rooms are filled to the brim with toys, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity. The dimly lit corridors, creaky floorboards, and display cabinets filled with delicate treasures add to the enchanting ambiance, making you feel like you've stepped into a different era.
While Pollock's Toy Museum offers a fascinating journey into the world of toys, it is worth noting that the space can feel cramped at times. Due to the limited size of the building, some rooms may feel a bit overcrowded, making it challenging to fully appreciate the displays. However, the museum's charm and unique atmosphere more than compensate for this minor inconvenience.
Michael C
Google
A really interesting place. Never even knew this place existed until a friend recommended it. Absolutely crammed with old toys (from different periods and countries) over numerous floors. Definitely lots to see here.The place has a feel of a labyrinth to it. The admission was reasonable. The staff member on duty was helpful and informative. The shop was well stocked and also worth a visit after the tour.
Lauren Williams
Google
Small, yet exceptional, period property stuffed full of uplifting memories from your childhood. I recommend this museum for adults and for children for whom it would be equally engaging and I suspect a fantastic bonding experience as the toys will provide many talking points.
There isnt a single boring room in the museum, everywhere you look are toys. The information provided in each section is enough to feel like you have learned something and not so much that you feel overwhelmed. The information along side each exhibit is well written and thought provoking.
I was most excited to learn the history of very old toys and to imagine the toys journey before it reached the museum. My favourite sections were the Teddies, Dolls and theatrical toys probably because they remind me of simpler times when playing was something that absorbed a child for hours and TV was a special treat.
The shop is bursting with toys and curiosities. You can buy some absolutely fantastic toys like the theatres which will engage all ages of child.
Dont miss this wonderful museum. Its easily a half day visit with children and I would imagine about two to three hours of entertainment for an adult.
Tilman Benecke
Google
we were actually in good spirits and wanted to go inside the museum. however, the friendly waiter at the counter told us that there were five floors. the "museum" is in a very small apartment building. When she then told me that there weren't many retro toys from the last few decades on display, but rather mostly Victorian toys, we decided not to go in there. the toy shop downstairs was reasonably well stocked but ultimately there wasn't anything that interested me.
Satish Chandran
Google
Small little cozy toy museum, felt like a little gem on my discoveries. Well stocked, well maintained. Reasonably priced entry fee. They have a toy shop attached to the museum. One certainly will learn a thing or two about the history of toys. Credit cards accepted including Amex. Recommended. No guided tours that we came across. Not too busy.
Nathan Wotton
Google
It is one of my favourite museums in London. I have been there 2 times and each time it has been great. My favourite part was the Children’s TV Character memorabilia. The staff were friendly
Diva Ricevuto
Google
Pollock TOY MUSEUM in London Scala st. has closed. Hope we’ll see it again as soon as possible in London. It’s story colse to the Victorian toy shop is tradition that shall not stop.
Bex Evans
Google
Charming little museum steeped in history. From Victorian dolls to board games to puppets to He-Man this place has got you covered. The guys running it are also lovely. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. :)
Kailyn T.
Yelp
My favorite toy museum yet!
Pollock's Toy Museum is a toy display arranged in an old set of homes. Once admission is purchased one is given a printed walk through guide of the museum - which is probably what made me love this one so much. The guide gives little blurbs as to what the room is about, the main toys to look out for, and some neat facts. Essentially it says things like to "step through the doorway into ..." or "head up the stairs keeping an eye out for ...", it was a simple and fun little adventure guide that made this toy museum experience unique!
The maze of little rooms, each displaying a themed group of toys, felt like a portal back in time. Many toy collections I have visited display plastic toys from the childhoods we remember recently, this one felt like a visit back into the toys from childhood's way past. This museum is not as much a blast of nostalgic feelings, rather a more serene look past that - into Victorian dollhouses that reflect what home life was like during different time periods, the history of board games and especially the oldest of old teddy bears.
Keep in mind, from what I understand, that toy museums are often collections that are largely influenced by the toys that circulated through an area - as is to the way they are displayed. A toy museum in Central London thus reflects much of the dollhouses and doll-like toys, and there are museums in other parts of the world that have large amounts of plastic American toys that were circulated around during wartime. Many bigger museums - science museums, history museums, national museums - display information in a way that almost becomes universal no matter where you travel. Toy museums prove to be unique in each city, town - in both the collection and the presentation, which is why I adore visiting them so much.
So if you want a step back into the history of dolls, teddies, and board games on a unique little walk through - give this place a visit!
(Visited August 2017).
Michael G.
Yelp
Besides a small case near the end of the exhibit space, the toys in this museum's collection are not the toys of your childhood. They're the toys of your grandmother's childhood more likely. And as much as I give this museum credit for not trying to cash in on the wave of nostalgia that is currently rampant for 1970s and 1980s toys, I can not honestly say that the collection felt complete without a few more of these.
What they do have in abundance, squeezed into every nook and cranny of this pretty small space (including placing some classic games on each of the staircases) is some of the most historic toys in the world.
The highlight of the collection is one of the oldest known teddy bears in existence. It's not exactly cute though since the Victorians were seemingly more bout accuracy than sales appeal. And there are other toys dating back even further into history from all over the world. It is very cool to see the toys that distant cultures have had in the past.
However, it's really the organization and maintenance of the place that, unfortunately, drag it down in my mind. It's the kind of museum that seems like an afterthought to the main business it's attached to (in this case a working Pollock's Toy Store). The amount of dust in the place drove my allergies crazy and there is little to no labeling of the toys with the exception of a few that are in the welcome brochure. Someone could at least visit the museum and dust it once in a while since they do charge not a small admission.
In the end, it's wonderful toys and there are some classics if you know what you're looking for. But one shouldn't have to be a toy expert on high doses of Benadryl to be able to appreciate a toy museum.
Lina G.
Yelp
The best part about visiting Pollack's Toy Museum is the "I had that one!" feeling. This is how I learned that I was raised on a lot of Victorian-era toys, all of which appear to present a major choking hazard. Wishful thinking on my parents' part, I suppose.
This small museum packs a lot of vintage toy punch for the £5 admission fee. Be prepared for a lot of creepy old dolls, wistful memories and racially charged debates on golliwogs. The gift shop is great--I came home with a metal springy toy and a fortune-telling fish today. (It says I'm fickle.) Worth a visit to the shop even if you don't go to the museum.
Angela B.
Yelp
If you happen to be around the West End and you have a little spare time on your hands, and you're any kind of collector or toy aficionado, then I suggest you take a trip to Pollock's Toy Museum.
Pollocks, a purveyor of all things toys since the Victorian era, has packed this place to the rafters with toys now forgotten. Anyone over the age of 15 will appreciate the vast collection of toy theatres, string puppets, jack-in-the-boxes, teddy bears and doll's houses from around the world. However, if you're anything like me, you may find the assembly of dolls staring out from behind the display more than a little freakish.
Alex H.
Yelp
This is one of the most extraordinary museums I've ever been to. Take the standard notion of a museumnow throw it away. The museum is set out across a labyrinth of small rooms and interconnecting staircases. It feels like you're walking through some crazy old lady's house. And because of that, it's absolutely awesome. The collections of stuff they have is incredible. I guarantee that half of the items in there will make you go Oh man, I remember that!
This place is definitely worth a Sunday afternoon session.
Fiona G.
Yelp
Quite honestly the most perfect place in the whole
of London for a child,or indeed anyone who loves
the world of fantasy.
The museum is like a time travel capsule. In the 18th
century it was a little cottage; in the 1960's this
lovely Georgian building housed a workmens' caff.
Now, it is back to its original glory, spread across
a number of floors & housing magical toys, dolls
puppet theatres,wind up musical trinkets & books.
The staff are helpful & friendly.
When it first opened, it reminded me of a smaller
version of the Sir John Soanes Museum, which has
similar wonderful surprises
Clint W.
Yelp
An amazing destination for toy fans, collectors, historians, and pop culture enthusiasts. The depth of the museum itself was shockingly plentiful. A definite inclusion on the "must see" list.
Emily O.
Yelp
I visited this lovely little museum on a Saturday afternoon and was delighted to find that it was utterly crowdless. Aside from some crying children, it was a great museum experience.
At first glance, I actually thought the museum was closed but it turns out they just like to save money on electricity. At £5 per person (£4 for students) it's a pretty good deal. I saw toys I didn't even know existed and got a nice nostalgic pinch from my childhood. The building itself is perfect for the museum. Going from tiny room ro tiny room and climbing stairs here and there all add to the adventure of, "What could be around this corner?"
I just can't leave out how creepy some of these toys are though. And, of course, I'm referring to the porcelain dolls. As much as I loved these when I was a kid, if I was a kid in the 1800s, I'd stick to my teddy bear.
Overall, I was impressed. I am a museum junkie but this is not just a museum for kids. In fact, I'd say kids won't enjoy half as much as adults who can say they got half the stuff for Christmas when they were 5.
Oh, and don't forget to browse around the toy shop on your way (not that you have a choice) and see some lovely toy for kids and adults.
Miriam M.
Yelp
This museum suffers from poor collection management - one of the best collections of toys I've seen, but so tightly packed together, it was really difficult to appreciate the gems, and a lot of the toys needed some TLC - cleaning/dusting around them
Interesting information, lots of "oooh, I had one of them" and some really nice things. Then the toy shop deserves a review of its own. Again, understocked, but really nice stuff, and worth visiting for its own sake.
Stephanie C.
Yelp
This place could use a sugar daddy and some TLC. It has a weird vibe, like Gomez Addams meets Rosebud--eclectic and nostalgic. Most items could be far better displayed and the interior contents could use a good cleaning. But yes, I'm glad I went. It's kind of like being in the outbuildings of some of those people on American Pickers, but classier and more organized.
Small.
Ali G.
Yelp
I found Pollock's fascinating. It has loads of toys, but they're all packed in together so it feels less like you're at a museum and more like you're at the home of your crazy uncle who is a toy collector.
I'd highly recommend it as long as you're not prone to having toy nightmares.
I reviewed it with pictures here: http://alicarroll.blogspot.com/2011/06/pollocks-toy-museum.html
Ben W.
Yelp
If you developed a fear of dolls after watching the Chucky movie then Pollock's Toy Museum is definitely not for you. Neither is it if you were born after 1970 and are looking for some childhood nostalgia. I was gutted to see a complete absence of Transformers, Thundercats, Star Wars and Micromachines.
What Pollock's does offer is a slightly bizarre collection of toys, predominantly from the first half of the 20th century. Staring back at you with blank button eyes are wide selection of dolls, toy soldiers, cars, truck and puppets, which, once loved and played with, now sit in old wooden, glass-fronted display cabinets.
The Museum is housed in two adjoining Georgian houses and at times you feel like that's exactly where you are, catapulted back two centuries. This is not a modern museum but a rather creaking, atmospheric place that is verging on bizarre.
Whilst I am glad I went, it is fair to say that although unusual, I would really struggle to recommend the museum unless you have visited London's countless other more worthy attractions.
Asmiya A.
Yelp
I went in today afternoon to find it disappointingly empty! A very cozy, silent way to explore a museum. Walked from room to room, exploring, discovering. I was creeped out by the dolls probably because of the after-effect of Chuckie movie! I was alone in the museum probably coz it was a weekday and around closing time. still Best recommended with company. Walk along and you finally end up in the toy shop which convinces you you need something small as a souvenir! Everything under £20! The 1960's advertisement puzzle is a must! Very colourful and fun! A Hidden gem in London!
Qype User (zara7…)
Yelp
Please take any children that you know here at least once. It is fabulous,if i could i would try and move in! When i was a child i came here just the once but it made a impact on me so when i was able to i found it again and come along.They staff are very friendly
and attentive. Kids will really enjoy it and be really suprised that there where toys before Playstation!!!
Emma M.
Yelp
I only visited the gift shop (story of my life!) but it was magnificent. There are old books and toys for sale in one part, and I had a lot of fun looking through some Enid Blytons that I remembered from my childhood. They also have new toys that are just a bit old fashioned and really unusual. It's just the sort if place that I would have loved to spend my pocket money in years ago!
Sabel L.
Yelp
This is an amazing place, especially if you love toys as much as I do, or if you're getting ready to shoot a horror movie like Child's Play. The dolls stare at you from every wall, and you feel as if you've entered some strange universe where childhood is not so different than a series of haunted memories.
Since I love this stuff, I love this place, but it's not for everyone. However, the toy shop below is for everyone. It's charming and fun, and doesn't have one inch of the creepiness in the museum above.
Karen F.
Yelp
From Pennsylvania ironware, Japanese acrobats, South American traditional and folk toys, Edwardian table games, Victorian toy theatres, famous and rare wax dolls with war dolls and toys, Pollock's toy museum sets the examples of what entertainment was before the age of rubbish retail and other dysfunctional industrial cretins bore us and made us lazy. a visit to the museum sets the examples of recreating such activity in our homes and in friend circles. The day and age of personal game playing entertainment, for both adults and children has become priceless. With this surviving museum in the heart of London it sets a lighthearted tone of the otherwise harsh commercially driven Fitzrovia.
Chris M.
Yelp
This place gets points for the feeling that you are sneaking into someone's attic. Loads of old toys (mostly early 20th C by my estimate) on display and the shop has a nice edited selection of toys from years past. However, the cramped space also doesn't lend itself to good explanations of what you are seeing so if you like the subject matter it may absorb you for a couple of hours but I don't think it's worth going out of your way for.
Qype User (Berr…)
Yelp
Now, there is absolutely no argument here - this is the most exciting, amazing, wonderful shop in London. Just behind Goodge Street the shop window displays Victorian-style toy theatres (cardboard ones you put together yourself), books by Edward Gorey, and classic Victorian children's books such as the horrible Strewelpeter. Inside the shop us full of original handmade toys, ranging from soft toys (I bought a blue donkey for a baby!) to intricate optical illusions. Best place imaginable for stocking fillers or presents for nostalgic grown ups. You need an hour or so to play with the toys before you choose. Most exciting are the kits for magic lanterns and the like. Upstairs are rooms and rooms of old toys from different eras in a proper museum worth exploring over hours.
Qype User (Mirza9…)
Yelp
This is an odd little toy museum and gift shop. Lots of narrow twisting stairs to climb, but at the end of each stairwell, you enter a room and are impressed by what is there. So, so much to look at! Each room is catagorized with old type written place cards. The doll room was our favorite because all of the dolls are sitting in one corner all starring at you as you enter the room and turn left. Polluck collection is amazing. There are toys from all over the world some you have never seen or had forgotten about. However the toys are all rather really dusty. But it is very hard keeping it dust free.
Qype User (kataje…)
Yelp
Tis museum is a must-see for all kids in London. We used to go here loads as a child and the displays of old fashioned toys were wonderful. They have a huge (well it was huge when I was little) collection of dolls houses with beautiful furniture inside. The museum is actually very small with little winding corridors between the rooms. The biggest treat is the gift shop at the end where you can buy some replicars of the items you have seen; we used to go crazy for the dolls' house cakes!
Qype User (amelie…)
Yelp
Great place to take kids along, and as an adult you will have some laughs too. Took over a niece and nephew a few weeks ago, and they had the time of their life!
Qype User (raxlak…)
Yelp
Forget Hamley's!
If you have kids (or are a big kid at heart) this is the place that will set imaginations on fire.
It may be a small shop but the shelves are full of quirky old-fashioned toys of yesteryear that are still incredibly appealing and relevant for the children of today.
Shaun D.
Yelp
I never new this placed existed but it was actually quite fun looking at all the old toys and history of them. The museum itself runs through two townhouses. There are lots of stairs and some cramped walkways, so make sure you are comfortable with that. You have classic items such as originally donated Sooty & Sweep, as well as old puppet style back drops. Be warned of the dolls room, it feels like you're in a horror movie and they will all start moving any second, there's hundreds of them. (Visit - 27-06-2015)
Qype User (damo_p…)
Yelp
Sorry but I didn't see it the way other reviewers did at all. Yes some of the old toys were quirky and interesting and the funny little building was charming. For that I give 2 stars. But there was very little information about anything except on the insubstantial pamphlet you are handed on entering. In my view this is an interesting collection, but certainly not a museum. I certainly didn't think it worth the £6 admission the prices are not shown on their website which is ridiculous, I think it was £5 concessions and £3 children, my 2 year old was free but min age wasn't stated. The toy shop was pointless, mostly full of dreadful plastic knick-knacks that will last five minutes and that you could get anywhere.