Novelty Automation
Novelty Automation
4.5
About
A mad new collection of home made satyrical arcade machines. Practice Money Laundering; operate a nuclear reactor; meet an alien's mum; give yourself a full frisk, get divorced: and much much more. We've opened Novelty Automation because we ran out of space in our seaside arcade 'The Under The Pier show' - which is Trip Advisor's top rated attraction in Southwold, Suffolk.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Holborn
Inner London’s busiest streets crisscross quiet cobbled lanes for an effect that can be urbane or quaint – or an intriguing blend of both – depending on the particular corner you turn. Due to its especially convenient location, bustling Holborn hosts an excellent range of hotels, eateries, and shops to suit practically any taste or budget. With major attractions like the British Museum and Somerset House as well as popular areas such as Covent Garden and Soho all just a short walk away, Holborn is a smart base from which to explore London.
How to get there
- Holborn • 5 min walk
- Chancery Lane • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,236 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
184 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
26
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Kevin B
Nes, The Netherlands11 contributions
Feb 2023
Having found out about it by accident on YouTube, my 14 year old autistic daughter and I found the place easily with the aid of Citymapper app as it is close to the tube station.
The chap running it on the day we visited was warm and welcoming and helped my daughter enjoy her experience even more.
She particularly liked the nuclear fuel loading simulation. The pure creative genius and engineering of the machines was something to behold.
It was nice that we both enjoyed the machines making for a special father and daughter experience.
The token system worked well and gave flexibility to roam and try the machines.
The chap running it on the day we visited was warm and welcoming and helped my daughter enjoy her experience even more.
She particularly liked the nuclear fuel loading simulation. The pure creative genius and engineering of the machines was something to behold.
It was nice that we both enjoyed the machines making for a special father and daughter experience.
The token system worked well and gave flexibility to roam and try the machines.
Written February 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Omer
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Friends
so many fun machines and things to do here - you could spend hours (and we did) going through every last one
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
becky
3 contributions
Feb 2023
never thought getting frisked would be so fun!! had a great time, and only had a slight panic attack when it confiscated my phone
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
robinfeuchtwang
San Carlos, CA5 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
OMG. Of all our experiences in London this is our most memorable. Up there with our Afternoon Tea at the Savoy and seeing Life of Pi at the Wyndham, while COMPLETELY different, it was our family’s best time. Aside from the laughs and delight, we really appreciated the social commentary of this experiential art form. This is a gem and I recommend it to all who appreciate creative social criticism, witty ingenuity, cheeky fun, and out of the box experiences. Our teens and we (50+yr olds) enjoyed it equally.
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Crazy_Jim_83
London, UK973 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
If you’re looking for an original way to spend 30-45 minutes in London, you can do far worse than this. Costs about £10-20 to try out all the strange machines. They’ll make you laugh and there can’t be anything else quite like this attraction around. Would definitely recommend as a quirky date option or something to do with friends if in the area.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lance F
2 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Loved the machines. It was a good time and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something to do.
Written December 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gary C
Dunblane, UK406 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
So glad we found this place as it was fun. Not the biggest but crammed full of unique automation machines. Free to get in but you have to buy tokens to play but well worth it
Written November 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Craig N
1 contribution
Oct 2022
We loved this place. All original mechanical arcade games. Some great humour. It was quiet when we went. We went on everything, which cost about £25. So much fun and deserves more praise. A proper hidden gem. I cannot recommend this place enough. Just absolutely brilliant and a highlight of our London trip that we never expected! Quirky, wonderful, original and very smart. The guy in there was super friendly too.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Billy
London, UK2 contributions
Sep 2022
A real, genuine, bona-fide hidden gem and, above all, a very unique way to spend an afternoon. The games and displays are absolutely fascinating and fantastical. Made to feel very welcome upon arrival. The world of automation is one I want to explore a lot more in the future.!
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NickMBerkshire
Berkshire, UK26 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
Quirky take on arcade games and life. A very amusing and slightly worrying escape from the everyday in a small world of strange arcade games.
Fantastic fun
Fantastic fun
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
margaret l
7 contributions
what is the entry price
S F
Mitcham, UK72 contributions
Its free to enter but you need to buy tokens to operate the automata. Under £20 gives you tokens to work all.
Novelty Automation (London) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Novelty Automation
- Hotels near Novelty Automation:
- (0.02 mi) Premier Inn London Holborn hotel
- (0.02 mi) Central 2-Bed, 2-Bath Sanctuary near Holborn Station, Covent Garden & West End.
- (0.03 mi) Holborn Apartments
- (0.03 mi) Blueprint Living Apartments Red Lion Street
- (0.04 mi) London Apartments Holborn
- Restaurants near Novelty Automation:
- (0.01 mi) Beck's cafe
- (0.01 mi) Fast Break Kozzy
- (0.02 mi) FAST BREAK - KOZZY - HOLBORN
- (0.02 mi) Eat Tokyo
- (0.02 mi) Restaurant He