Hamleys of London is located on Regent Street.

It is a large and amazing toy store, stocking anything a child could want, and then some.

It was founded by William Hamley, a man from Cornwall who originally opened a store called “Noah’s Ark” at High Holborn in 1760.

In 1881 the branch on Regent Street was opened and it became the flagship store.

The store had its ups and downs over the years due to various economic crises, but emerged unscathed and with a Royal Warrant in the 1930s.

Even the Blitz couldn’t stop Hamleys from their mission to bring smiles to the faces of children, although they were bombed 5 times, the staff gamely ran into the shop wearing metal hats to retrieve the toys needed by the customers waiting patiently at the front door.

Each floor of Hamleys has a toy theme, and there are a staggering 7 floors to choose from.

The ground floor has an impressive array of stuffed animals and plush toys, including life sized animals like giraffes and elephants, and it also houses a magic department.

The basement is home to interactive toys like Lego, trading cards, and other gadgets.

The first floor is devoted to board games, jigsaws, and science kits as well as a build a bear workshop and a sweets shop.

The second floor is home to toys for the very young child, toddlers, and preschoolers.

The third floor is where you can find toys traditionally intended for girls such as dolls, dress up sets, and arts and crafts.

The fourth floor is full of hobby activities, like models, train sets, and remote controlled vehicles.

The fifth floor is devoted to boy toys, like action figures and vehicles, and it also is home to a café.

Wear comfortable shoes because you will certainly want to see everything this store has to offer.

Crowds should be expected especially around the holidays; Hamleys is a popular tourist spot and they get about 5 million visitors annually.

Hamleys of London is a must see destination for anyone who loves toys.

Visiting Hamleys

188-196 Regent Street, Mayfair, W1B 5BT

Telephone: 0870 333 2455

Email hamleys@hamleys.com

Opening Times

Mon to Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 12noon-6pm

Photo courtesy: Olivier Bruchez

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