Novelty Automation

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A collection of satirical home-made arcade machines

A unique and fascinating way to spend a few hours - hard to describe, and NOT to be missed!

This little London gem, tucked away in a corner near Covent Garden (and less than a 5-minute walk from Holborn Tube station) is something that really belies definition when you try and explain what it is to a friend (or reader!) – but I’m going to try.



On the face of it, Novelty automation is an arcade. And it is indeed a collection of coin-operated machines. But it is also an off-beat, modern take on the classic arcade experience, as well as a showcase of craftsmanship, comedy, social commentary, and engineering.

Each machine may look like a simple and well-known arcade game classic at first inspection, but in reality, Novelty Automation is not you’re your typical amusement centre. Arcades are often associated with flashing screens, looped music and video games, but Novelty automation takes a decidedly retro-futuristic approach, housing a variety of unique, hand-crafted, and often comical mechanical contraptions that engage visitors through both their whimsical designs and their interactive capabilities.

For example, many arcades will feature a fortune teller (Zoltar springs to mind). But not at Novelty Automation. Instead, the “Is It Art?” machine encourages you to place one of your belongings into a glass cage, to have a mechanical Nicholas Serota (former director of the Tate) tell you whether what you’ve proffered up to him counts as art or not.

And unlike normal arcades, there are no two pence pusher machines here – instead, there is the Money Laundering Machine, where you have to use a crane to swing your ill-gotten gains up and past the financial regulators’ noses, against the faceless cityscape of London’s more affluent buildings.

Instead of your typical shoot-em-ups, at Novelty Automation, a huge iPhone-shaped machine implores you to ask yourself if you are an iZombie – a coin in the slot will see you attempting to avoid a sea of relentlessly approaching zombies that are “Engrossed in their phones and oblivious of the world”. And – no spoilers – but - players who do feel physically attached to their phones should be wary!

Pinball? Sure - but at Novelty Automation, it’s a hadron collider machine. You are playing pinball, yes – but you are also in the running for a Nobel Prize!



Alternatively, why not try your hand at a job in the Amazon fulfilment centre? A satirical slot machine that lands you with either a nought hour’s contract or a P45. Basically, it’s a lose-lose situation – which, if the news articles are to be believed, is pretty reflective of an actual job in an Amazon fulfilment centre.



And this is the overriding flavour of Novelty Automation.

Everything in Novelty Automation is reminiscent of old-fashioned arcade machines but, crucially, they all come with a twist. Instead of simply providing a platform for mindless entertainment, each machine is designed to spark curiosity and make visitors reflect on the intricate ways technology can be used to create amusing and often surprising results.

Each one of the machines is hand-crafted by proprietor Tim Hunkin, and each and everyone has something to provoke a thought – whether it be a quirky theme, humorous moral or a tongue-in-cheek message to take away. Tim himself is an engineer by trade – but stepping inside Novelty Automation really gives “mad inventor” vibes. Known for his creative take on mechanical and electrical engineering, Hunkin's earlier works include designing and building various mechanical contraptions for amusement parks. The concept of Novelty Automation is deeply rooted in Hunkin’s fascination with the intersection of technology and entertainment, as well as his desire to engage the public with quirky and humorous interactive experiences.

Whether it’s through offering a satirical commentary on modern life, technology, or society, or just making you chuckle and smile, Novelty Automation blends art, technology, and playful exploration in the most unexpected ways.

Many of the machines have surprise-and-delight features, or unexpected “Easter Eggs” which make an extremely in-depth article difficult to write without ruining the fun. So, with the risk of giving away too many spoilers, I will round off with this. Novelty Automation is tactile, quirky, interactive, charming, and refreshingly analogue. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of mechanical wonders, and its quirky approach ensures that visitors leave with a smile and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of art, engineering, and entertainment.

Anyone looking for a break from the typical tourist attractions or modern art galleries will find a refreshing change of pace here. For the curious, the creative, and the open-minded – Novelty Automation is a must-visit.



Novelty Automation's Website

Normal opening hours:
Open every day except Mondays, 11am to 6pm, with late opening on Thursday 12-8pm and 12-6pm on Sundays.

1a Princeton St
London, WC1R 4AX

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