It's that time of year again. The first three London Christmas shopping recommendations of the season…
Pollocks Toy Museum
Pollock's Toy Museum (it's a little shop, too) is a joy at any time of year. But at Christmas, it really comes into its own.
Benjamin Pollock was the last of the Victorian Toy Theatre printers and this famous London institution takes its name from him. Originally at Monmouth Street, Pollock’s has been at Scala Street W1 since 1969.
Dolls, toy theatres, board games, teddy bears, the shop is a cornucopia of traditional toys.
The museum itself is an eccentric delight with six rooms and three staircases (!) packed with historic toys and games.
If you've forgotten how to keep Christmas in your heart, get along to Pollock's.
Pollock’s Toy Museum 1 Scala Street London W1T 2HL
pollockstoys.com
Gerry's, Old Compton Street, Soho
If it's to be a bottle for a Christmas gift, or even for your own celebrations, Gerry's is the only place you need.
Our every smallest dipsomaniacal wish is Gerry’s desire. From Framboise to Angostura Bitters to beers of distinction, to celebrity own label wine (!), Gerry’s has it all.
The principle at work here is the same as that behind any great bar: expertise. Just as you will never catch out a great barkeep with any request, so too at Gerry’s you’ll find everything you need to make your party go with a swing.
And they are modest with it. Their website claims “at Gerry’s you can buy ALMOST every drink under the sun!”Gerry's
Old Compton Street
Soho
Marchpane
Marchpane at 16 Cecil Court WC2 is no ordinary children’s bookshop. It specialises in secondhand books and is notable for its first editions and collectible volumes.
What better gift than a first edition of a loved one’s favorite book from childhood? What better way to introduce a child to that favorite book than with a colourful classic edition?
The proprietor also has a wonderful weakness for punk rock, which results in the odd copy of the rare punk fanzine Sniffin’ Glue nestling in amongst the Winnie The Pooh’s.
Bargains are to be found on the outside table, everything from old copies of Living London magazine to lobby cards from famous movies. And where else can you pose the question, “How much is that Dalek in the window?” Yes, a real Dalek. Sadly, it’s not for sale, but it adds to the unique atmosphere of this great bookshop.
Find Cecil Court here…
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My Public Scheduled Tours for December 2019
5th December – Old Kensington – 2pm High Street Kensington Tube
5th December – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
6th December – Rock'n'Roll London – 2pm Tottenham Court Road Tube (exit 1)
7th December – Marylebone – 2pm Bond Street Tube
7th December – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
19th December – Old Kensington – 2pm High Street Kensington Tube
19th December – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
20th December – Rock'n'Roll London – 2pm Tottenham Court Road Tube (exit 1)
21st December – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
23rd December – A Village In Piccadilly – 2.30pm Piccadilly Circus Tube (by Eros)
26th December – Jack The Ripper – 7.30pm Tower Hill Tube (by the tram)
27th December – Hidden London – 11am Monument Tube (Fish Street Hill Exit)
28th December – London Horror Story – 7.30pm St Paul's Tube
28th December – The Beatles & Bob Dylan In 1960s London – 10am Temple Tube
30th December – A Village In Piccadilly – 2.30pm Piccadilly Circus Tube (by Eros)
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