They fulfilled generations of children’s wishes, and a visit was sure to make any child ecstatic. These once-popular toy stores offered joy to many youngsters, but they have all regrettably disappeared over the years.

From well-known businesses like Hamleys and Toys R Us to small independent retailers, they were wonders for those who remember visiting as children. This retro photo gallery is guaranteed to evoke memories of shopping at these businesses.

Among the shops depicted is Redgates, one of Sheffield’s most beloved retailers of all time, which operated on Furnival Gate at the top of The Moor until 1988. It was a massive toy shop, widely regarded as the best outside of London.

It was lovingly known as the ‘Yorkshire Disneyland’ due to the joys found within. Redgates has been photographed over the decades, from the 1950s to the 1980s, and these images date back even farther, to the early 1900s.

These photographs include not just specialist toy shops, but also the toy section of a well-known department store and two shops that cater to every parent’s demand.