Hamleys reviews
I visited Hamleys last weekend and it was the low point of my weekend in London. At 46, I am old enough to remember Hamleys before it was ruined. My last visit was 25 years ago when the store was utterly enchanting, classy and traditional. I was looking forward to taking my 13-year-old daughter and was horrified at the tawdry tackiness of the place. It looks like a MacDonalds warehouse for Happy Meal toys. Who is responsible for the demise of this cherished store? Celebrate 250 years of Hamleys? I am in mourning for the loss of a lovely piece of English heritage.
by moggsy1, 28 Aug 2010
by moggsy1, 28 Aug 2010
Went up to London to go to Lion King. Tickets all sold out so we went to Covent Garden and shopping. Visited Hamleys toy store and had a fantastic time. Assistants really helpful.
by charlenemcdaid92, 18 Aug 2010
by charlenemcdaid92, 18 Aug 2010
We took our nephews there last Sunday. The boys live in Brighton and were so excited about visiting Hamleys. It turned out to be a huge disappointment though.
The stuff on the shelves was no different from the stuff you'd find at Toys 'R' Us, except with a bigger price tag. There was nothing unique or special about the merchandise. Some looked really cheap and tacky. The shop floor is poorly designed and shelves badly stocked. It really needs a makeover.
To make the whole experience even worse, the building isn't air-conditioned and though they had fans going it didn't help with the summer heat. Staff demonstrating the new merchandise around the escalators did not help with the flow of human traffic in the store. And I was hit by a flying boomerang twice on the same floor - thrown by one of their staff. I don't think throwing a boomerang in a very busy store is in accordance with health and safety regulations, is it?
Next time we'll just stick to Toys 'R' Us.
by benjyboo, 03 Aug 2010
The stuff on the shelves was no different from the stuff you'd find at Toys 'R' Us, except with a bigger price tag. There was nothing unique or special about the merchandise. Some looked really cheap and tacky. The shop floor is poorly designed and shelves badly stocked. It really needs a makeover.
To make the whole experience even worse, the building isn't air-conditioned and though they had fans going it didn't help with the summer heat. Staff demonstrating the new merchandise around the escalators did not help with the flow of human traffic in the store. And I was hit by a flying boomerang twice on the same floor - thrown by one of their staff. I don't think throwing a boomerang in a very busy store is in accordance with health and safety regulations, is it?
Next time we'll just stick to Toys 'R' Us.
by benjyboo, 03 Aug 2010
Had a bad experience. Extremely rude staff. Bordering on racial discrimination.
by ravist, 23 Jun 2010
by ravist, 23 Jun 2010
We took our 1-year-old and 4-year-old last October in half term. I am not one for complaining, but after hearing staff swearing openly in front of my children and then meeting the rudest shop assistant ever, I wrote a letter informing them of my experience. I have now written 2 further letters, without any response. Looks like another great British institution has fallen by the wayside.
by tmc03, 10 May 2010
by tmc03, 10 May 2010
We bought a remote control car (RC Ferrari Enzo - £35) only yesterday and within approx 3 hours of playtime the remote control broke. When telephoning the store the automated system cuts the line dead every time, no matter which option you choose. We live in Shropshire so unless customer services answer the phone we are stuck with a unusable toy and a very sad and disappointed little boy.
by ashley41gob, 30 Oct 2009
by ashley41gob, 30 Oct 2009
I had a problem in the store and when I came home I contacted customer service twice and am still waiting on a reply. They are quick to take your money - pity customer service weren't as quick to respond. Very very disappointed.
by ashley.hendry, 12 Oct 2009
by ashley.hendry, 12 Oct 2009
Always wanted to visit Hamleys since I was a child. Took my three kids there last week. I've never been more disappointed in my life! Yes, they had a great range of toys, but nothing you couldn't get from your local Toys'R'Us. The toilets and baby changing facilities were the worst I experienced in my entire stay in London. Harrods toy department, on the other hand, offered most of the same toys plus other ranges from all over the world that I had never seen anywhere else. And they have a place where the children could actually stop and play. I'd go there if I were you.
by Fleur39, 26 Aug 2009
by Fleur39, 26 Aug 2009
It's the best toy jungle ever for adults and children. But TOO expensive - you can get the same toy and have change left in other stores.
by fateh, 15 May 2008
by fateh, 15 May 2008
My husband and I went to Hamleys last weekend and it was unbelievable! We had a great time and spent hours going through all the different floors. It's a truly magical place for both adults and kids. Very well staffed too.
by kellsstar, 07 Nov 2007
by kellsstar, 07 Nov 2007
We travelled from the US this summer and one of our priorities was visiting Hamleys. While the costs were much higher than in the US, we had a great time playing and participating in all of the demonstrations. What a wonderful place!
by Diva, 02 Oct 2007
by Diva, 02 Oct 2007
Wow! Toys galore! A bit more expensive than other shops, but all the toys were great.
by Anonymous, 17 Apr 2007
by Anonymous, 17 Apr 2007
Mahjong set great but instructions badly translated and unreadable. Even then there was no effort to tell how to play. Result: unusable game.
by Ludoman, 08 Jan 2007
by Ludoman, 08 Jan 2007
Spent 4 times more than I had planned simply because I just couldn't resist the amount of new gadgets on display and the excellent personalised service you get even in peak hours. Indeed, the best shop I've been to in a while.
by Anonymous, 27 Oct 2006
by Anonymous, 27 Oct 2006
A friend of mine won a competition which allowed us to stay overnight at Hamleys and I must say it was one of the best nights I have ever had.
by aimee, 28 Mar 2006
by aimee, 28 Mar 2006
Have we missed a great toy shop in London? Let us know.
