It's right behind our office in Holborn. I walk past it often but somehow haven't quite built up the bravery to walk in. Despite having seen most of Tim's work on YouTube...

I once went to an art exhibition in Ipswich[1] where Tim took everyone’s photograph with a giant pinhole instant camera he’d made from an old road-sign.

1. Tim is from Suffolk and also runs a sister amusements at the Under The Pier Show in Southwold[2]

I believe the machines are circulated between the two venues.

2. https://www.underthepier.com/

Tim is such a lovely bloke. Had a chat with him about a decade ago at this point at an evening event at novelty automation about his time working with Rex Garrod on the secret life of machines, which is well worth a watch, even if it is from the 80s. His YouTube channel is also well worth a look.

The Secret Life of Machines: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtaR0lZhSyAPLuoSbMA29...

And his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@timhunkin1

Tim's site: https://www.timhunkin.com/

His recent "Secret Life of Components" series covers lots of fascinating electromechanical tinkering, including many of the mechanisms in the Novelty Automation arcade machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAgXz6xO0s&list=PLtaR0lZhSy...

Another series by Tim:

http://www.solenoid-valve-info.com/solenoid-valve-videos.htm...

Once known as Cabaret Mechanical. So glad to see it back.

I visited Novelty Automation in London a couple of months ago - it is everything you could wish for and more. Get there when it opens as it is a small space and does fill up quickly.

I love this place! Well worth a visit if you're visiting London and are around the British Museum area.