Barbican - The Surreal House

Barbican - The Surreal House

"You are invited to enter The Surreal House , a mysterious dwelling infused with subjectivity and desire." - Recommended by the BBC, The Guardian and Time Out.

Visit The Surreal House (normal tickets £10) at the Barbican and experience a labyrinth of chambers, designed by acclaimed young architects Carmody Groarke - its haunted rooms, delirious forms, blasted architecture and cinematic dreamscapes, hosting artists, designers and architects who seem inspired by some themes not too far from Pollock's own heart, utilizing in parts Victorian and traditional imagery by drawing themes that are all together light hearted, sinister, weird and wonderful into a beautifully dichotomous, albeit abstract, whole - cohesion through the most unlikely of means. Click on the link at the top of the page for more information.

We are particularly enamoured with the work of Czech animator Jan Svankmajer. Check out part one of his fantastic short-film Jabberwocky below, giving a unique, alternative representation of Lewis Carroll's wonder (if not slightly sinister) land. Porcelain dolls and dancing jumping jacks are but some of the images that give Svankmajer's work a strong 'Pollocky' feel.

Look at our cupboards!

So, we've been open 2 weeks now and everyone seems super impressed with our cupboards! Strange, but true! Then again, can you blame them?

These amazing legs and props come exclusively from the man behind www.zeel.co.uk - what else would you expect to be propping up a toy shop's interiors than wooden toy soldiers and princesses?!

The cabinets to which these amazing Zeel-designed wooden toys lend a hand are designed and made by Alex Hullum. Check out his website at www.alexhellum.com or see recent praise on blogs such as http://thefurnitureindustryblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/wallpaper-magazine-gives-you-editors.html

Old, made new! Vintage fabrics come handmade quilts

Pollock's Hatfield is the proud purveyors of these adorable, one-of-a-kind, handmade quilts devised of entirely vintage, personally sourced fabrics from the hand of Karen Orchard. At £95 they would make a welcome addition to any nursery or bedroom whilst equally serving as unique keepsakes for future generations.

At Hatfield we LOVE Djeco!

Pollock's toy shop is no stranger to the amazing French company Djeco, whose mix of contemporary cool and artisan-style design make for an interesting and exciting line of stickers, decorations, board games and wooden, traditional toys.

Our favourite Djeco item at the moment is Bondo! An exciting balancing game available exclusively at our Hatfield shop for a mere £30!

Djeco first created the game of Bondo back in 1963. It has now been given a face lift, suitable for 1 - 4 players, each child takes a turn to place objects on Bondo the elephants back (a piece of wood, a pillow or the Maharajah). Be careful however, Bondo is not always strong enough and may collapse! A game of dexterity, concentration and motor skills that can be played alone or with up to 4 players. Suitable for children from 3 years to 6 years.

It's finally here!

The brand-new arm of Benjamin Pollock's Toy Shop!

The new shop, situated in the grounds of Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, a mere 21 miles north of London, and home to the 7th Marquess of Salisbury, acts not simply as a landmark in Pollock's history but also formulates part of an exciting development taking part within the Hatfield Estate!

Pollock's is one of eight independent, unique retailers which make up the 'Stable Yard' - rejuvenated stable buildings that form both part of the Hatfield Estate and will become a location accessible and enjoyable for all the family, independently of necessitating the Hatfield grounds and House.

So...... welcome to the beginning of what may become and grand and thrilling adventure!