The best toy shop in the world?
The Toy Shop
The Toy Shop in Moreton-in-Marsh, just 15 minutes from Kingham Cottages, is one of the best toy shops in the world. Why can I make that claim? What makes a great toy shop? Could it be a place that delights young and old, a place overflowing with toys, a place that inspires answers every time to the conundrum ‘what shall I get them for their birthday?’
The Toy Shop, Moreton in Marsh
What makes a good toy shop?
Shops on the high street are a dying breed and none more so than specialist shops such as The Toy Shop. This one, spread over 9 rooms across what would have been two cottages on the high street, has all the old-wold charm of the Cotswolds. Small rooms, low beams, little windows. This, of course, adds to the delight of exploring a space packed to the rafters with toys. Like a cave of hidden treasures, children can explore around corners of The Toy Shop and peek into new rooms as themes lead them on from one area to the next. There is a room of art and craft activities, a whole wall of jigsaws, a room of lego, things to build and make, an area for babies and toddlers, pranks and practical gags (our favourite area) and much more. Critically, this is not an experience that can be had online…not even in computer games…so supporting these real life shops giving real life childhood memories is absolutely critical to the benefit of children and the economy!
Discover and Explore
Family business
The Toy Shop has been in the same family for 52 years, and a toy shop has been on the site for 72 years. Now run by brother and sister team Paul and Helen Jeffrey, who grew up above The Toy Shop, what they don’t know about the best toys on the market probably isn’t worth knowing. Be it a great big present that you are looking for or a tiny little stocking filler, The Toy Shop has the full range. We have never yet left empty handed.
Paul Jeffrey with Paddington Bear
Special gifts
On our last visit my attention was caught by Paddington Bear behind the counter, and so it should have been because he was the biggest teddy bear I had ever seen. Paul told me this was one of only three hundred and fifty Steiff paddingtons this size in the world. At a cost of £2800 he will make a very special Christmas present for someone …whether that’s a child is another matter altogether!
Award winning
The Toy Shop has been voted one of the top 50 independent shops in the country, a well deserved accolade for a shop that is clearly run by people passionate about their business and in this increasingly hard economic climate one that we feel we should all support. Alongside them are other notable independent shops in the town such as The Cotswold Cheese Company and the Antiques Centre as well as several excellent cafes. And so, having been shopping there as a family for over 30 years we commend this worthy attraction to our guests staying at Kingham Cottages.
Wall to Wall Activities
