Walthamstow's long lost factories that made the UK's favourite toys

Throughout the 20th century, Walthamstow was a hub for toy manufacturing

Staff in a toy factory in Walthamstow (Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Tiny red Routemaster buses, miniature racing cars, toy soldiers on horseback, wearing yellow and black-striped uniforms. These toys, made by toy company Wells Brimtoy, date from between 1938 and 1964. Today, they're on sale online as collectors' items.

The tin buses, cars and soldiers, however, are a reminder of Walthamstow's days as a toy manufacturing hub. For throughout the 20th century, many of the UK's favourite toys were made here.

Alongside Wells Brimtoy, there were also Britains Toys and Tower Press, which made jigsaw puzzles and games. Meanwhile, the National Plastics Factory, formerly located on Walthamstow Avenue, made Lego bricks. Wells Brimtoy and Britains Toys were two of the best-known toy manufacturers who based themselves in Walthamstow.