Whether you’re looking for cuddly bears, Lego sets or classic wooden toys, the UK has a range of fantastic toy shops and retailers offering everything from handmade wonders to this Christmas’ must-have items.
Top of the Christmas wish list this year is the interactive Tracy Island from Thunderbirds (£80), closely followed by the Skate and Sing Elsa (£40) from Disney’s huge hit Frozen. Looking for something a little different? The I-Que Intelligent Robot is also set to be a huge hit this Christmas (£65). He can tell jokes, ask questions, make sound effects and even test your IQ with quiz questions.
So where do you need to go to find these big-hit toys and more traditional items?
Endless train travel. Photo © Nadezhda1906
Famous Toy Stores
The UK is packed full of fantastic toy stores, many of them world famous.
Hamleys claims to be the oldest toy shop in the world, and its flagship London store is also said to be the biggest, with seven floors packed full of everything from the latest releases to Silly Putty and soft toys. A visit to the store is an adventure in itself and kids can happily spend hours searching the shelves and testing games. If you’re making a trip out of it, book a room at our Travelodge Covent Garden hotel to be just around the corner. These days, Hamleys have opened a chain of stores across the UK, including large branches in Glasgow, Manchester, York and Cardiff. You can also shop online.
If you decide to take a shopping trip to London, don’t forget to pay a visit to Harrods in Knightsbridge. Their ‘Toy Kingdom’ is on the more expensive end, but it’s truly magical.
Smyths and Toys “R” Us have branches across the country. Both have thousands of toys to choose from at great-value prices. Check their websites to find your local branch.
Independent Stores
Return to the magic of your childhood with a trip to one of the UK’s enchanting independent toy stores.
In Suffolk, the Halesworth Toy Shop has a huge local following, selling everything from pocket-money toys to Lego and Scalextric. In Brackley, Northamptonshire, Ptolemy Toys is a gorgeous, nostalgia-filled toy shop and online retailer selling wooden toys and simple designs that encourage open-ended play.
For real Old World charm, head to the Medieval city of Conwy in North Wales, where the Yesteryears Toyshop stocks collectables, puppets, dolls houses and a huge selection of games.
In Edinburgh, Toys Galore are a local shop with two branches in the city, both offering toys you will be familiar with from your childhood including Sylvanian Families, Playmobil and Lego. The friendly staff are always ready to offer advice and help you find the right toy. Travelodge have a range of great value hotels in Edinburgh too, so you can make a quick Christmas-shop part of your weekend away.
Unique Gifts
Pick up something truly individual at one of the UK’s fantastic specialist toy stores.
World of Bears in Taunton stocks more than 18,000 teddy bears for all budgets, from collectors’ editions and prestigious Steiff bears to unknown brands and makers.
Know a Sylvanian Families fan? Nestled near the Emirates Stadium in North London lies an entire treasure trove of Sylvanian Families collectors’ items and foreign imports in an entire shop dedicated to the fluffy little animals. Christmas shopping trips made magical.
