Latest News from Pollock’s Toy Museum

Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and supported Pollock’s Toy Museum since the collection had to move out of it’s former home in Scala Street. The wonderful news is that you can visit two exciting museum pop ups in 2024.

The Croydon Pollock’s Toy Museum pop-up is open every Saturday in 2024 and has a mini exhibition celebrating a local factory A Barton & Co Toys who were based in New Addington. The Croydon space also hosts a display of Tri-ang toys made by Lines Bros who were based nearby in Merton as well as events and a selection of favourite toys from the collection. From the 5 October the new exhibition The Croydon Walnut Fair Reimagined with Toys! will be open.

The display and shop at the Leadenhall Market pop-up in The City of London is open Wednesdays and Fridays in 2024.

If you would be interested in volunteering at either venue, including performing toy theatre shows please see the museum volunteering page for more information.

As many of the fittings and fixtures were built into the old museum building we would be grateful for any offers of unwanted Slatwall fittings/accessories and display cases, particularly in Croydon.

Long term, Pollock’s Toy Museum Trust continues to seek a secure future for the museum and collection, in a central London location that will preserve its character while providing more space. For this, initial funding will be needed. The team is currently comprised entirely of volunteers. In the short term, we have collection care expenses to cover and limited resources, so donations at any level are very welcome.

Pollock’s Toy Museum’s online shop is open selling a range of toy theatres and other treats. Please note that there is also the small shop, and separate business, in Covent Garden called Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop. Since the 1980s this has been a completely separate entity from the original museum and shop and they remain open and providing a range of toy theatres.

The museum will still be active during this transition period – follow us on social media (Instagram: @pollockstoymuseum Threads: @pollockstoymuseum) and check out Tales from the Toybox to read about featured toys, articles and practical projects inspired by our archives. Support for this from your purchases and participation will help us grow.

Subscribe to our mailing list to hear the latest news of our progress.

If you can help in any way, have any suggestions for the future direction of the museum or would like to get in touch regarding any thing to do with the collection then please email us at info.pollockstoymuseum@gmail.com

Pollock’s Toy Museum Trust is a registered charity (no. 313622).