Was at this place a couple of weeks back with some mates I used to work with in a software engineering team - we'd reconvnend for a few drinks and something cultural after 5 or so years of not seeing each, so had people from all over Europe flying in.

I've been before, and it's good to see some old favourites (Micro-break! Alien Probe!), stick around while they rotate through new machines with new ideas.

I recommend a good hour or two in there at some point, and just dive into the whimsy of it all. It is a very British sense of humour, one that is quite soulful for me as a Brit, but I think there are few people who wouldn't find something to enjoy in there.

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.

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/

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.

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...

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

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