Colourful, fascinating and sometimes weird – old toys don’t lose their charm.
Pollock’s Toy Museum (a registered charity) began nearly 70 years ago to add context to its core – the legacy of Benjamin Pollock’s historic toy theatre business in Hoxton.
At 49 Whitgift Centre, CR0 1UQ, Pollock’s adds a new attraction for all ages, with its mixture of wind-up clockwork machinery, teddy bears, dolls and their houses, plus hundreds of toys from around the world, all with stories behind them.
Opening Times:
- We shall be open for free drop-in visits on Saturdays 11am-4pm from 20th January onwards
- Don’t miss the live show Dick Whittington on an authentic Victorian toy theatre at 12.00pm and 2.00pm
The volunteer-run museum will use its new site to offer craft and making activities for all ages, school learning sessions, old-style live performances of Victorian and modern toy theatre, puppetry and magic lanterns and story-telling.
Offers from new volunteers are most welcome!
Since leaving its central London early in 2023, the museum is delighted to put highlights from its fabulous collection on display in Croydon, itself home to notable toy factories in past days. The displayed toys were made in the local factory A Barton who were based in New Addington from the 50s-80s.
You can also see Tri-ang toys made by the Lines Bros in their nearby Merton Factory, listen to the Victorian Polyphon, buy unique Pollock papers and cards; hear stories about the toys and chat with the museum team about your toy memories.
Look out for news of our developing programme on www.pollockstoymuseum.co.uk.
Read BBC news feature here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-68036575
