Bramble Corner, Forest Row
IF THE thought of trudging around Toys 'R' Us, picking out those 'must have' Buzz Light year figures and Zhu Zhu hamsters fills you with dread this Christmas, then pause a while before filling your children's stockings this season.
Buying toys for your little treasures doesn't have to be a chore. Tucked away inane old butcher's shop in Forest Row is the answer to your prayers. Bramble Corner is how children's toy shops should be - or would be if they sprang to life from a traditional children's book.
There are no merchandising spin- offshore. Instead, you'll find a cornucopia of wooden forts, dressing- up costumes, moving-picture flick books, toy drums, skittles, rocking horses and rag dolls.
It's the brainchild of an enterprising Sussexcouple, who were frlJstrated at the lack of toys available that helped nurture children's imaginations.
"So many children's toys seemed to be geared towards Disney and licensed merchandising, and we found them commercial, ugly - scary even," says SelmaMoncrieff, pictured, who runs
the shop with her husband Hamish. "At Bramble Corner, we don't follow fads or trends; our toys are classic and timeless."
In this quaint little shop, which boasts old-fashioned weighing scales for measuring sweets and charmingly distressed painted shelves, they've aimed to create the antithesis of the cold and impersonal warehouse-like hangars, which they find cold and impersonal.
"There's an assumption that children love noise and bright colour, but they actually benefit more from really simple things, so they can let their imaginations do the rest," says Selma. And if anyone doubts their approach, they need only look at the' number of shops which have imitated them or the media storm they generated when they first opened. They also regularly feature in seasonal lists of Britain's top toy sellers.
"But the greatest compliment," says Selma, "is when children leave and say 'that was the best toy shop I've ever been to in my life, mummy'. You can't top that."
Find Bramble Corner on The Square in Forest Row. For more information . visit www.bramblecorner.com or ring 01342 826800