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 Christmas in London 2009: Traditional Toys
 Ditch the downloads and Nintendo DSs, and fill your child's stocking with a collection of bright, long-lasting traditional toys this Christmas. From dolls houses to rocking horses, wooden playthings to magic tricks, London's independent toy shops are brimming with sturdy, well-made and aesthetically pleasing trinkets. Many of our chosen shops are also a joy to visit and offer a range of in-house events and activities for children to help distract them while you shop.
  Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop
 44 The Market, Covent Garden This tiny shop in the heart of Covent Garden is crammed full of traditional toys but is probably most famous for its selection of toy theatres which range in price from £8 to £80. Wend your way up the spiral staircase and wallow in a wonderland which comes across as a real box of delights. Keep a look-out for the traditional Jack in the Boxes, Russian dolls, marionettes, glove puppets and toy soldiers. This is pure nostalgia and if you're after a unique, well-made and long-lasting gift for youngsters or for any toy-loving adult then Benjamin Pollock's should be on your shopping list. Covent Garden Market itself is a real treat at Christmas with street artists warming up the winter-chilled crowds, decorations and lights adorning the plaza, and stalls serving up traditional Christmas fayre. If you're up for a really festive day, time your visit to coincide with a carol concert at nearby St Paul's Church ('The Actors' Church'). Address: 44 The Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF Phone: 020 7379 7866 Timing: Mon to Sat 10.30am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop - Information  Bob & Blossom
140 Columbia Road, E2 7RG Only open on a Sunday, when the flower market takes over the area, Bob & Blossom offers a traditional and uncomplicated range of quality toys. Crocheted elephants, colourful wooden blocks, spinning tops, miniature cars and knitted rattles are regular staples. Inside candy-striped gifts boxes - perfect at Christmas time - are a range of bits and bobs just for babies. Their popular range of kids' clothing is also worth a peek. Combine your toy-buying trip with a wander along the flower-filled market, and stock up on festive blooms, wreaths and a tree while you're at it. Address: 140 Columbia Road, E2 7RG Phone: 020 7739 4737 Timing: Sun 9am-3pm Nearest Station: Shoreditch Tube Bob & Blossom - Information  Davenports Magic Shop
7 Charing Cross Underground Shopping Arcade, WC2N 4HZ From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too are guaranteed a spellbinding time wandering around this cavern of tricks. The oldest, family-run magic business in the world (allegedly), this is a friendly, fun environment in which to while away a Christmas present-buying afternoon. Rummage through the diverse collection (from limited edition collectables to books, cards and accessories) and enjoy the well-executed demonstrations from their team of magic professionals. Concentrate hard enough and you can take what you've learnt back home to entertain the troops on Christmas Day (you might even find a trick for making the washing-up disappear...). Informed and truly interesting this is a unique gem in an unexpected corner of the city centre. When you've finished wave your magic wand in the direction of Villiers Street and disappear underground into the dusty depths of Gordon's for a restorative glass of wine and a chunk of cheese. Address: 7 Charing Cross Underground Shopping Arcade, WC2N 4HZ Phone: 020 7836 0408 Timing: Mon to Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 10.30am-4.30pm Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail Davenports Magic Shop - Information  Dotty Dot
67a St Helens Gardens, W10 6LL Everything in this cute sounding kids' shop will appeal to young children from wooden mobiles to wall stickers as well as the ever-popular Donna Wilson soft toys with their cross-stitched mouths and wonderfully expressive eyes. Dotty Dot was set up in 2006 by Fiona Roffey after she had worked in the retail trade for a number of years and every item in the west London shop as been hand picked by her. Princess costumes, colouring-in books and giant puzzles are at the designer end of the scale so you get a wide choice of unique toys that you won't find in other high street toy shops. From the collectible Naef toys and Donna Wilson dolls to books by Italian artist Bruno Munari, all the merchandise is beautifully arranged in the simply decorated space. Already proving popular this Christmas are 100 per cent cotton king, queen and knights costumes which come with thick felt tips so the kids get to colour them in before dressing up escaping to their make believe fairy tale land. Address: 67a St Helens Gardens, W10 6LL Phone: 020 7460 3405 Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove Tube Dotty Dot - Information  Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL It'll be packed and full of tourists but, if you can cope with this, Harrods has its finger on the pulse of traditional toys and has a range big enough to ensure that you find everything you've got jotted down on your Christmas list... and a few more besides. From pirate ships to Power Rangers, quad bikes to croquet sets, and trampolines to Teddy bears they house probably the best overall range of children's toys in the city, if not the country. Unlike many of London's other department stores, Harrods does Christmas really well and their Toy Kingdom is no exception. Such is the popularity of their "appointments" with Santa that they sold out by the end of October. Obviously this isn't the place to come for bargain basement buys but if you're after a one-stop, Christmas toy shop then this is the place to come. Hyde Park with its Christmas ice rink and festive Winter Wonderland is just a short walk away, so if you're in need of a bit of fresh air and space after your department store frenzy you've not got far to go. Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL Phone: 020 7730 1234 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-8pm, Sun midday-6pm | Selected Food Halls - Mon to Sat 9am-9pm, Sun midday-6pm Nearest Station: Knightsbridge Tube Harrods - Information  Honeyjam
267 Portobello Road, W11 1LR A replica toy Aga is, apparently, this uber trendy toyshop's best-selling item - hardly surprising given the store's proximity to Notting Hill, but applying a quirky take on a traditional model is what Honeyjam does best. Retro toys from the Thirties through to the Eighties sit alongside vintage toys as well as fair trade, sustainably made, and eco-friendly play things. This Christmas, their dressing up costumes will turn your kids into a cast of fairies, pirates, dragons and pirates. The brainchild of Irish model Jasmine Guinness (nickname 'Jam') and lifelong friend Honey Bowdrey, Honeyjam evolved because the two women couldn't find toys they wanted for their kids. They seem to have hit upon a winner and now stock some of the best-looking toys in town - look out for their bright pink and green wooden tea set, worthy of any west London pad. Address: 267 Portobello Road, W11 1LR Phone: 020 7243 0449 Timing: Mon to Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove Tube Honeyjam - Information  Mystical Fairies
12 Flask Walk, NW3 1HE The Christmas Fairy is alive and well and living in... Hampstead. For little fairy fanatics (mostly the females in your family), this shop is the ideal place to pick up the perfect winged friend for a festive treat. Many of the toys are suspended from the ceiling on delicate silver branches, while at Christmas extra special decorations and themes adorn the interior. If you've got the little-uns in tow throughout your shopping trip, direct them towards the dressing-up corner where they can transform themselves into all manner of magical fairy guises. There's even a special wizard corner in the dressing-up section for boys who can don their pointy hats and fight off the fairy dust with their wands. Fairy makeovers are available every day, while their ever-popular Fairy Schools take place on 18th, 19th and 22nd December. You can gather some gifts for the tree while your youngsters learn the art of "fairying". *Please note: despite the few concessions made towards the male of the species, this really is very much a haven for little girls so if you've got hoards of boisterous boys you might want to find alternative entertainment for them or at least take them for a wild run-around on nearby Hampstead Heath afterwards. Address: 12 Flask Walk, NW3 1HE Phone: 020 7431 1888 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm Nearest Station: Hampstead Tube Mystical Fairies - Information  Never Never Land
3 Mildhurst Parade, Fortis Green, N10 3EJ The name alone betrays this enchanting shop's magical appeal. A tiny rectangle of a toy store, it is crammed to the ceiling with heaps of old fashioned delights which really come into their own at Christmas. The dolls' houses are a treat - high-quality structures with individually sold knick-knacks that actually fit together. The minute china sets, cradles, baby dolls and rocking horses are finished with an intricate detail that is hard to find these days. The devoted owner is particularly expert at seeking out unusual wooden toys - keep an eye out for the cute, dancing musical frogs. An enchanting harbour of innocence, this shop is a lovely place in which to pick-up toys for Christmas stockings and entertain the kids at the same time. Address: 3 Mildhurst Parade, Fortis Green, N10 3EJ Phone: 020 8883 3997 Timing: Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-5pm | Open 24th December until lunchtime Nearest Station: East Finchley Tube Never Never Land - Information  Petit Chou
15 St Christopher's Place, W1U 1NR This tasteful toyshop, catering for children from 0 to 10 years, was opened in 2005 by Marty St James and Iveta Petrakova who quickly became famous for their elegant array of handcrafted toys from all over the world. Ranging from skittles and wooden pull-along toys, to cuddly creatures and less-cuddly buildings, these well-made items are sturdy enough to withstand the rough and tumble of the playroom - you can knock them over again and again and again without fear of scuffing. The German Moorland sheep and wooden ride-on cat walker are very popular ideas for wholesome, unique Christmas presents. Address: 15 St Christopher's Place, W1U 1NR Phone: 020 7486 3637 Timing: Mon to Sat 10.30am-6.30pm, Sun midday-5pm Nearest Station: Bond Street Tube Petit Chou - Information  Pollock's Toy Museum and Shop
1 Scala Street, W1T 2HL Crammed inside two townhouses (one 18th, the other 19th century) on a pretty sidestreet you'll find this historic homage to toys of all kinds. Named after Benjamin Pollock, a creator and printer of Victorian toy theatres, the museum now boasts a diverse range of toys from all over the world. Follow the trail up three winding staircases and you'll stumble across everything from battered and bruised century-old bears to a 4000-year-old Egyptian clay mouse. Dolls, dolls' houses, a Victorian nursery, toy theatres, tin toys and folk toys from around the world make up the rest of the collection. You can't actually buy these items but on the groundfloor there's a cool toy shop packed with colourful treats for you to take home and wrap up for the kids. It's free to wander around the toyshop but there is a small admission charge for the museum. Live toy theatre performances take place during school holidays so if you've got the children in tow you might want to settle them in front of a performance while you grab a few bits in the shop. Full of character and charm this is a great place to while away a few nostalgic hours and pick up some pressies into the bargain. The British Museum's only a short walk away so you can carry on your cultural foray into the past with a quick tour followed by more present-buying in the museum's shop, which is also stocked with unique items (including a Harry Potter chess set and Egyptian mummy masks). Address: 1 Scala Street, W1T 2HL Phone: 020 7636 3452 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-5pm, Last entry to musuem 4.30pm Pricing: Museum - £5 (Adults), £4 (Students), £3 (Children), Free (Under 3s) | Shop - Free Nearest Station: Goodge Street Tube Pollock's Toy Museum and Shop - Information  Queens
111b Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6BG Kitsch, colourful, cute and cuddly this glitzy gift grotto in Spitalfields is irresistible. Wander around its magical wonderland and make friends with flirting fairies, kissing fish, perky-eyed reindeer and nutcracking squirrels. Christmas time is when Queens really comes into its own. Alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the season, head here and indulge in some old-fashioned gaudy glamour. The perfect antidote to the high street, there's always loads going on at Spitalfields Market, with galleries, stalls, shops, restaurants and bars all competing for the attention of visitors. Sunday is the best time to visit if you want the full complement of stalls and Christmas shopping opportunities. Address: 111b Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6BG Phone: 020 7426 0017 Timing: Tue to Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 12noon-5pm, Sun 10am-6pm | Closed Mon Nearest Station: Aldgate East Tube Queens - Information  Soup Dragon
27 Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, N8 8PT & 106 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HF This versatile little shop is great for picking up all sorts of pressies for little ones. Soup Dragon offers an exquisite selection of traditional toys, unusual and affordable clothes and quirky baby toys. The vividly striped leggings, jumpers and hats for very tiny babies make lovely little gifts. Toys wise, there is so much choice - bendy fairy dolls, pretty dolls' houses and soft toys designed especially for babies. The shop prides itself on understanding children and kits out their shop with child-friendly goodies that are a far-cry from the gaudy modern plastic games of other outlets and for this it has a loyal following. The information below is for the original Crouch End shop and the link underneath is for the second branch in Dulwich East. Address: 27 Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, N8 8PT Phone: 020 8348 0224 Timing: Mon to Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm Nearest Station: Tufnell Park tube Soup Dragon, Crouch End - Information Soup Dragon, East Dulwich - Information  Traditional Toys
Chelsea Green, 53 Godfrey Street, SW3 3SX In between the Fulham Road and The King's Road, down a quiet side street, Traditional Toys is a treasure trove of wooden playthings: cars, trains, planes, helicopters, trucks, puzzles and building blocks, all beautifully crafted. These are timeless toys that won't need to be replaced just because the next Buzz Lightyear has come along, and they all qualify as top-notch Christmas gifts. A genuinely cool store, Traditional Toys stocks the total antithesis of all the plastic, battery-powered playthings that saturate the toy market today but land high on the toy scrapheap tomorrow. Everything from beautiful castles to musical boxes, Peter Rabbit to Winnie the Pooh is here. The V & A, the Natural History Museum (and ice rink) and the Science Museum are all within walking distance if you fancy a break from toy shopping. Address: Chelsea Green, 53 Godfrey Street, SW3 3SX Phone: 020 7352 1718 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-6pm Nearest Station: South Kensington Tube Traditional Toys - Information |
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