Pollock's Toy Museum

Pollock's Toy Museum
(entrance is in what was The Hope pub, right)

There's something about old toys. If I collected anything it would probably be toys. It's all about nostalgia. So yesterday's trip into a freezing cold London was one of indulgence in the past. Pollock's Toy Museum is a small, out of the way place, but well worth a visit. I have vague recollections that I might have been before some years ago with my children. Still, it was far enough back in time for me to have forgotten.

There are six rooms over two floors, plus the shop and entrance on the ground floor. The building consists of two dwellings (one of which used to be a pub called The Hope), with two staircases, making it safer and easier to walk around. The stairs are steep and care is needed, especially as you end up standing on them to see wall exhibits. There are items everywhere. It is like an Aladdin's cave.

The shop began life elsewhere. Mr Benjamin Pollock (1856-1937) started his working life in the fur trade but married Eliza Redington whose father owned the original shop in Hoxton Street, then a Theatrical Print Warehouse. When Eliza's father died the Pollock's inherited the business. They sold hand coloured miniature theatre sheets. It was a popular business and some famous names visited, like Robert Louis Stevenson. Charlie Chaplin was another customer.

After Benjamin and Eliza died, one of their daughters took the shop on, and then the place was bombed out during the second world war. With help the shop moved to its current premises, 1 Scala Street, Fitzrovia. They carried on trading, selling their mini theatre sheets with stories etc. The idea of a Toy Museum came in the 1950's and gradually they were given toys from around the world by people who visited those countries. The enterprise was opened in 1969 and then the building next door became available (the pub), so they were able to expand. In recent years the Museum struggled, especially after the then current owner died, but her grandson took it on. They still sell mini theatres in the shop, along with all sorts of toy related items, cards and books.

The whole experience is a wonder - the building still has original fire places and a range, the ceilings vary, the twisty staircase with many layers of peeling paint on the banisters - and then there are the displays from antique dolls to parlour games, spinning tops, Noah's Arc's, dolls houses, rocking horses (swoon!), space toys, war toys, construction kits and so much more. There will be 'ahs' and 'I remember those' or 'I had one of those'. It's brilliant. Do go along and see for yourself.