Lomography

Hamleys (London)
written by grenoouille on March 10th, 2009 , 8 comments (6 votes)

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No need to say that when you’re traveling to London with your kids, you should not skip an afternoon at Hamleys. Well, actually, maybe you should… It really depends on the level of your suicidal tendencies, your interest for risky adventures, your financial situation and your blood pressure…

Truly, what is Hamleys? Well… it’s simply a place which feels like Hell for parents. I could stop here, and so should you… But I think that the most intrepid guys of you who, after reading this, will still have the nerves to try The Hamleys
Experience, these guys need to have some more details on what sort of “hell” they should expect…
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to explore and escape:
-Seven storeys where you can find anything to fulfill a child’s dream: plush, legos, vehicles, model railways, dolls, arts & crafts, science kits, jigsaws, board games, magic kits, gadgets, kites, UFOs, etc..
The ground floor is mainly dedicated to the hugest and cutest collection of plush toys. It is a real Noah’s Ark where you can find all sorts of animals in all sorts of colors and size, from a pocket kangaroo up to life-sized giraffes and bears!!!
-Seven storeys where you can actually try all of these treasures as long and as much as you wish. They have guys hidden in every corners, ready to jump on your progeny, to make them try (and leave the shop) with their dope.
-A place where any kid can put you into trouble with your banker in less than 5 minutes!

For the visit of the entire shop, with one kid, a good pair of shoes and a positive mind set, count at least 30 minutes per floor on your way to the 5th floor, then 20 minutes per floor on your way back to the ground floor (just to check this and try that “again pleeeeeease!”…). And an additional 30 minutes for the “hold on Mum/Dad!! We did not go the basement yet!!!???”. Roughly 5 hours. It might even be quicker if you do not try to argue on the necessity of buying a remotely controlled hamster. Just shut up and pay!

The building is of course non-smoking, (it is a good test if you are considering quitting, otherwise shut up and pay…) but there is a cafeteria (with coffee full of caffeine) on the 5th floor…
Good luck guys!

Link: www.hamleys.com
188–196 Regent Street in London