Image credit: Lord Belbury / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2018-02-21 ↗
Novelty Automation: The Arcade Where the Machines Make Fun of Us
Holborn / Princeton Street · Clerkenwell → Angel → Rosebery Avenue → Great Ormond Street → Holborn · Automata / interactive art / eccentric London
Story
This venue is a unique blend of a seaside penny arcade, an engineering museum, and a sharp social satire. Most of the machines are the work of cartoonist and inventor Tim Hunkin, who has taken the British tradition of coin-operated automata and reimagined it to address contemporary anxieties and themes. Here, visitors can engage with "money laundering", experience a "divorce", operate a "nuclear reactor", embark on an "ultra-short holiday", or submit themselves to deliberately absurd situations, always with a touch of humour and critique. The distinctive feature of these creations is that they are not digital screens; they are physical, noisy, ingenious mechanisms, often handmade with a deliberately artisanal aesthetic. Each game also functions as a small comic strip, offering ironic commentary on bureaucracy, consumerism, work, or technology in current society. Entry to the arcade is free, and tokens only need to be purchased if you wish to interact with the machines, allowing you to observe and decide without obligation. It's advisable not to spoil all the surprises beforehand; part of the charm lies in following an unusual instruction and discovering the ingenious response Hunkin has designed.
What to look for
Machines with satirical names and visible mechanisms, often featuring a deliberately handmade or prototype aesthetic, contrasting with modern digital technology.
Secret detail
This is the London iteration of an idea its creator, Tim Hunkin, also develops at his famous 'Under the Pier Show' in the coastal town of Southwold, Suffolk.
Where exactly
It is located at 1A Princeton Street, in Holborn. The entrance door is small and recognisable by its unassuming appearance.
Orientation
Step inside and observe the machines before buying tokens. Some experiences are best when you discover the joke as you play.
Why it matters
This place exemplifies eccentric British ingenuity and humour, using mechanical engineering as a vehicle for insightful social commentary, a unique tradition in London.
Access & opening
Official normal hours: Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat 11:00–18:00; Thu 12:00–20:00; Sun 12:00–18:00; Mon closed. Check live.
Official current pricing: 5 tokens £6; 10 £10; 35 £28.
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Official site warns the historic front door is only about 650 mm wide; wheelchair users should check before visiting.