Welcome to Ark Toys: The UK’s Premier Toy Wholesalers and Distributors Since 1959

At Ark Toys, we’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s premier toy wholesalers and distributors, serving the industry with excellence since 1959. With over six decades of experience, we’ve built a reputation for quality, trust, and innovation that sets us apart in the toy trade.

From humble beginnings to becoming a leading name in the wholesale toy market, our family-run business is committed to delivering not just toys, but joy, imagination, and ethical responsibility to our retail and trade customers across the UK and internationally.

Our Heritage: Over 60 Years of Toy Expertise

Ark Toys was founded in 1959 by Bryan Millar, a Southport businessman with a sharp eye for opportunity. When he couldn’t find a souvenir on a family holiday in Edinburgh, Bryan decided to make his own — and just like that, Ark Toys was born. What began with cloth pennants soon grew to include keyrings, plastic novelties, and eventually a full range of toys.

Through hard work and a keen understanding of market needs, Ark Toys transitioned from a home business to a full-fledged importing and wholesale operation, now run by the second generation of the Millar family.

Today, Ark Toys is based at the A.K. Business Park in Southport, with a warehouse and operations facility that serves customers across the UK and worldwide.

Our mission remains the same as it was in 1959: to offer great toys at great prices, while putting service, sustainability, and quality at the heart of everything we do.

The Ark Collection: Soft Toys for All Ages

At the heart of our product range is The Ark Collection – a signature selection of high-quality, soft plush toys. These adorable companions are:

• Designed for all age groups, from toddlers to collectors.
• Ethically produced with eco-conscious materials.
• Available at leading zoos, safari parks, aquariums, and visitor attractions across the UK.

Whether it’s a cuddly tiger from a wildlife park or a penguin from an aquarium gift shop, The Ark Collection is a favourite among retailers and end-customers alike. Their realistic designs, soft textures, and durable build make them perfect for both play and display.

A Diverse Range of Wholesale Toys

As a full-service toy wholesaler and distributor, we stock an ever-growing range of toys for retail, educational settings, leisure attractions, and promotional use. Here’s a closer look at the collections we offer:

🐾 Wildlife Toys

From lions and elephants to pandas and orangutans, our wildlife plush range is a big hit in zoos and animal-themed venues. Each soft toy reflects a real-world species with charming accuracy and child-friendly design.

🚜 Farm & British Wildlife

Our British countryside-inspired line includes sheep, cows, foxes, badgers, and more – great for farm shops and nature reserves.

🦖 Dinosaurs

Perfect for museums and dinosaur parks, our dino toys are ferociously fun – think T-Rexes, triceratops, and cuddly stegosauruses.

🐍 Insects & Reptiles

Add a creepy-crawly twist to your shop’s shelves with snakes, spiders, frogs, and butterflies – all in safe and soft plush.

🐦 Birds

From owls to puffins, our bird toys soar above the competition. These lifelike designs are especially popular in bird sanctuaries and coastal gift stores.

🐠 Sea Life

Our marine-themed toys include dolphins, sharks, turtles, and fish — perfect for aquariums, sea life centres, and coastal retailers.

🚗 Vehicles

We also offer a fun range of vehicle toys – from diggers and dumpers to race cars and fire engines, ideal for young fans of transport and construction.

🧱 Wooden Toys

Traditional, eco-friendly, and long-lasting – our wooden toy range includes stacking blocks, pull-alongs, and puzzles that encourage open-ended play.

🎁 Pocket Money Toys

We carry a massive range of low-cost toys starting from just 10p – ideal for impulse buys at the till point. Fidgets, puzzles, small plush, novelty items and more.

🎄 Seasonal & Bespoke

Looking for seasonal items like Christmas grotto gifts, Halloween novelties, or Easter exclusives? We’ve got you covered — including bespoke wrapping and branding services.

Our Eco Commitment

Being a toy wholesaler with a conscience is important to us. That’s why Ark Toys takes environmental responsibility seriously.

Some of the steps we’ve taken to be more eco-conscious include:

• Reducing packaging waste.
• Offering products made from recycled or sustainable materials.
• Encouraging suppliers to meet stringent ethical and environmental standards.
• Making logistics more efficient to lower our carbon footprint.
• Using less plastic and more cardboard in our packaging and shipping.

You can read more about our efforts on our dedicated Eco Credentials page.

Why Choose Ark Toys?

Whether you’re a retail buyer, a zoo or attraction gift shop, a farm park, or a garden centre, Ark Toys is your ideal partner for wholesale toys. Here’s why:

✅ Trusted Since 1959 – over 60 years of industry knowledge.
✅ Ethical Sourcing – we care about who makes our toys and how they’re made.
✅ Eco-Friendly Mission – we’re actively reducing our environmental impact.
✅ UK-Based & Family-Run – fast, friendly, and flexible service.
✅ No Minimum Order Value – perfect for shops of all sizes.
✅ International Export Ready – we ship globally, from Europe to the US and Asia.
✅ Exclusive Ranges – such as our renowned Ark Collection.

FAQs About Ark Toys

Q: Who can buy from Ark Toys?
A: We supply to retailers, tourist attractions, wholesalers, schools, and charities. You’ll need to register for a trade account before making purchases.

Q: Is there a minimum order value?
A: No! We do not enforce a minimum order value, though we do sell in case packs as specified on each product.

Q: Can I visit your warehouse?
A: Yes, trade customers can arrange visits by appointment. We’re based in Southport, Merseyside.

Q: Do you export outside the UK?
A: Absolutely. We regularly ship to customers in Europe, the USA, Japan, Australia, and the Middle East.

Q: Are your toys safety tested?
A: All our toys comply with current UK and EU safety standards, including CE and EN71 certifications.

Q: What makes The Ark Collection special?
A: It’s our exclusive range of premium plush toys, stocked in leading zoos and wildlife parks. Each toy is carefully designed to be cute, realistic, and eco-conscious.

Q: Do you offer bespoke products or packaging?
A: Yes. We can help design and manufacture custom toys, and we offer bespoke wrapping or branding services for events and retail.

Q: How can I open a trade account?
A: Simply head to arktoys.co.uk and fill in the form to apply.

Get in Touch

Whether you’re looking for wildlife-themed soft toys, budget-friendly pocket money toys, or bespoke seasonal offerings, Ark Toys is here to help you grow your business with products that sell.

Explore our full catalogue, or reach out to our friendly sales team today — let’s bring more smiles to your shelves.