Merrythought Bears

Merrythought is the last remaining British teddy bear factory to still make its products in Britain. The story began in 1930. William Gordon Holmes, owner of a spinning mill in Yorkshire called ‘Holmes & Laxton’, recognised the opportunity to make premium soft toys from the luxurious natural fibres they sourced. He found a beautiful brick foundry building in Ironbridge, home of the industrial revolution, and with the help of a team of skilled local seamstresses, Merrythought was born.

The first collection was designed by Florence Attwood, a remarkable pattern-maker who overcame the challenges of being deaf and mute, to create some of their most iconic designs.

Merrythought’s heritage is something they are immensely proud of, and the original factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire, remains Merrythought’s home to this day; a magical place where each teddy bear is brought to life using the finest materials and traditional craftsmanship that has been handed down through four generations of the company.