Discovering Old Surrey's Hidden Hobby Craft Toys

Old Surrey’s former WHSmith shop now houses a compact museum of hobby craft toys, offering travel-size kits, ready-to-use tools and vintage styles for budget-conscious DIY enthusiasts.

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Key Takeaways

• Old WHSmith space is a treasure trove of affordable craft kits.
• Vintage tools are often hidden behind digital locks.
• Local craft communities share tips for unlocking the stash.
• Surrey’s hobby scene blends nostalgia with modern trends.

When I first walked into the cramped aisle of the former WHSmith on Guildford Road, I expected the usual stacks of magazines and a sleepy checkout. Instead, I was greeted by a bright display of miniature model aircraft, tiny crochet kits and a row of wooden toys that looked as though they had been rescued from a 1970s attic. The space had been transformed into a pop-up museum of hobby craft toys, a project started by a collective of local makers who saw an empty retail floor as an opportunity to preserve the tactile joy of hands-on play.

Whilst I was researching the history of the building, I learned that the shop had closed in 2018 after a wave of high-street chain closures. The owners, a group of retirees with a shared love of model making, negotiated a short-term lease with the council to turn the vacant space into a showcase for the kind of craft that never quite makes it onto the glossy shelves of mainstream retailers. Their aim was simple: provide a low-cost venue where people could discover and purchase hobby craft toys that are otherwise locked away in online warehouses.

Walking through the aisles, I met Clara, a 34-year-old mother of two who runs a small crochet business from her flat in Woking. She showed me a set of pastel-coloured yarn, neatly packaged in a Guardian article describing how Gen Z is turning to cosy hobbies as a form of self-care. She explained that the mini-museum’s focus on travel-size kits allows families to try a new craft without the commitment of buying full-size supplies.

One of the most striking features of the space is a wall of vintage hobbycraft tools - brass hammers, wooden tweezers and a set of miniature soldering irons that date back to the 1960s. These items are displayed behind glass cabinets with digital locks that require a simple code, a nod to the modern security concerns of the council. The code is shared through a QR code on the wall, and the idea is that anyone can scan and unlock the tools for a short trial period. This blend of old-school craftsmanship and contemporary digital access feels like a metaphor for the whole project: preserving the tactile past while embracing the convenience of the present.

During a visit on a rainy Tuesday, I watched a group of teenagers from a nearby school experiment with a set of model aircraft kits - tiny plastic planes that could be assembled in under an hour. The kits, sourced from a local hobby shop that specialises in “what is contemporary craft”, were packaged with clear instructions and a small bag of paint. The teenagers, who had never built a model before, were delighted to see the finished plane take shape. One of them, Sam, told me, "I never thought I’d be able to make something like this with my own hands. It feels like a secret club, you know?"

The sense of discovery is amplified by the fact that the space also stocks a selection of hobbycraft construction paper, colour-coded for different projects, and a range of hobbycraft tote bags designed to carry tools on the go. The tote bags are especially popular with commuters who like to keep a small sketchbook or a set of needles in their bag for spare moments of creativity on the train.

While the museum is modest in size, its impact ripples through the wider Surrey craft community. Local clubs now meet in the space for weekly workshops, ranging from crochet circles to model ship building. The organisers have set up a calendar of events that is displayed on a chalkboard at the entrance, and they also maintain an online forum where members share tips for unlocking the digital cabinets. A colleague once told me that the forum has become a hub for exchanging not only codes but also ideas about how to repurpose old toys into new projects.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my visit was a conversation with the founder, Mark, a retired engineer who spent his career designing components for aerospace. He explained that the idea of “hobbycraft toys” first sparked when he discovered a dusty box of wooden model rockets in his attic. He remembered the feeling of building something from scratch and wanted to give that experience to a new generation. "It’s about the tactile satisfaction," he said. "When you turn a piece of plastic or wood into a recognisable shape, there’s a quiet pride that no digital screen can give."

The project has also attracted attention from regional tourism bodies. A recent report from Hobbies and Crafts Theme Cruises highlighted the museum as a case study for how niche craft experiences can boost local economies. They note that visitors often combine a trip to the museum with a walk along the River Wey, making it a multi-layered leisure outing.

Beyond the obvious appeal for hobbyists, the museum also serves as an educational resource. Primary schools in the area have arranged field trips where children are invited to handle the vintage tools under supervision, learning about the evolution of craft technology. Teachers report that hands-on sessions help students develop fine-motor skills and a sense of patience that is increasingly rare in a screen-focused world.

For the budget-conscious, the hidden treasure trove offers several advantages. Many of the kits are sold at a fraction of the price you would find online, thanks to bulk purchases made by the collective. Moreover, the mini-museum occasionally runs “swap-and-save” evenings where members can trade unused supplies for credit towards new kits. This collaborative model not only reduces waste but also fosters a sense of community ownership.

It is also worth noting that the space has a modest but well-curated selection of contemporary arts and crafts supplies. Items such as eco-friendly soy-based paints, recycled paper for card making and a range of hand-spun yarns are highlighted as part of an effort to promote sustainable crafting practices. The curators emphasise that “contemporary craft” is not just a buzzword but a commitment to materials that respect the environment.

When I left the museum, I carried a small tote bag filled with a set of miniature model boats and a pack of construction paper, feeling oddly nostalgic for a form of play that feels both old and new. One comes to realise that the appeal of hobby craft toys lies not merely in the objects themselves but in the stories they enable us to tell - stories of imagination, patience and community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kinds of hobby craft toys can I find in the Old Surrey museum?

A: The museum offers travel-size model kits, vintage tools, crochet yarn packs, construction paper, and eco-friendly paint sets, all aimed at low-cost DIY projects.

Q: How do I access the digital-locked tool cabinets?

A: Scan the QR code displayed on the cabinet door to receive a one-time access code, which lets you use the tools for a limited period.

Q: Are there workshops for beginners?

A: Yes, the museum runs weekly workshops ranging from crochet circles to model aircraft building, all suitable for newcomers.

Q: Can I buy hobbycraft tote bags and construction paper there?

A: The shop stocks a range of tote bags designed for craft tools and assorted construction paper, perfect for on-the-go projects.

Q: How does the museum support sustainable crafting?

A: By offering eco-friendly paints, recycled paper and promoting a swap-and-save system that reduces waste and encourages reuse.