Pollock’s Toy Museum Leadenhall Market
Open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11.00am-3.00pm
plus extra dates during the run-up to Christmas (please see below)
Unit 32-33, Leadenhall Market, London, EC3V 1LR (map)
Welcome to a miniature display featuring some of the highlights from Pollock’s Toy Museum’s collection.
Located in historic Leadenhall Market, a stunning Victorian edifice perhaps most recently known for appearing in the movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the small Grade II listed building has been filled with a selection of toys, games, books and dolls from the collection.
Why not volunteer to help us open more often!
Christmas 2025 opening hours and dates
- Wednesday 10 December 11.00am-3.00pm
- Thursday 11 December 11.00am-3.00pm
- Friday 12 December 11.00am-3.00pm
- Saturday 13 December 11.00am-3.00pm (extra Christmas date)
- CLOSED on Sunday 14 December
- Monday 15 December 11.00am-3.00pm (extra Christmas date)
- Tuesday 16 December 11.00am-3.00pm (extra Christmas date)
- Wednesday 17 December 11.00am-3.00pm
- Thursday 18 December 11.00am-3.00pm
- Friday 19 December 11.00am-3.00pm
- CLOSED on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December
- Monday 22 December 11.00am-3.00pm (extra Christmas date)
- Tuesday 23 December 11.00am-3.00pm (extra Christmas date)
- CLOSED on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
Exhibition: The Pearlies at Pollocks continues at Leadenhall
Pop into Pollock’s Toy Museum Leadenhall and see the latest exhibition packed with Pearly regalia, dolls, toys and history.
This miniature exhibition includes dolls dressed 60 years ago by the hotly contested Pearly Queen of Lambeth, a Pearly Jacket found in a Scottish barn, and a Pearlised wartime ‘demob’ suit. Find out about costermonger life and charity; and the tradition of handsewing mother of pearl buttons onto suits and dresses in elaborate family patterns.
In 1960 BBC journalist and Pollock’s Toy Museum founder, Marguerite Fawdry, together with author, artist and Pearly supporter, Pearl Binder, visited and recorded interviews with all the London Pearly families. An East End Pearly parlour exhibition was created at the museum, showing borrowed treasures including a macaroni suit, decorated handbags, feathers, and a prizewinning donkey blanket. Pearl Binder later wrote a definitive book, The Pearlies: A Social Record.
The Pearlies at Pollock’s exhibition, which opened on 8 May 2025, is ongoing.
The museum gift shop is the perfect place to treat yourself to some traditional theatres and toys.
Entry is free but donations to save the collection are welcome.