Best UK-Made Toys
As our feature on the toy manufacturing industry in the UK makes clear, there simply aren’t that many toys made in this country any more. The vast majority of our toys are now imported from overseas, but there are still a few companies, and many independent producers, flying the flag.
In alphabetical order, our pick of the bunch is as follows…
Farm Collection
Noah’s Ark Toys
David Plagerson is most famous for his spectacular Noah’s Arks, with exotic animals to stock them with, but we have to say these beautiful hand-carved wooden farm animals are our favourite, and you can add fences and gates as well to make a complete playset.
Visit the site…
Jurassic Wars
Dice Maestro
This is an engrossing card-and-dice game, pitting the giants of the prehistoric age against each other. It’s Velociraptor against Brontosaurus, T.rex against Iguanodon and Triceratops against Tarbosaurus in a fight to the death that can’t help but appeal to youngsters with a love of dinosaurs.
Read our full review here…
London Bear
Merrythought
Still producing bears in its Ironbridge factory, having started business 80 years ago, Merrythought is the last word in traditional English mohair teddy bears. London Bear, Merrythought’s most famous design, even growls when you tip him over.
Visit the site…
Tell the Time
Orchard Toys
A charming tell-the-time bingo game that really captures youngsters’ attention. Times are represented by various activities like eating tea and going to bed, helping children from two to four get a grasp of telling the time.
Visit the site…
Walk the Plank!
Orchard Toys
A really entertaining game in which pirates race to rummage through a treasure chest. Take care not to land on the wrong square in your race towards the chest, or you’ll have to … walk the plank!
Visit the site…
Wooden Racing Car
Croglin Designs
Made from British hardwood (you can choose from light or dark wood finishes), these tough racing cars are handmade in Cumbria and come with a racing driver peg figure. They measure up to 20cm in length.
Visit the site…
