Old Penny Arcade
The Old Penny Arcade Here at Woodbank Garden Centre
Yorkshire’s Largest Collection of Vintage Coin-Operated Machines
Our old penny arcade coined the phrase “Slots Of Fun” and started pre-pandemic with just one old penny machine in the gift shop. Due to its sheer popularity, the decision was made with its private owner, a very good friend of Woodbank’s owners, to take a chance 5 years ago to expand his vast private collection into what we call the Mill House. There have been two expansions of this now-famous collection, with yet another large extension starting in June 2026.
Our old penny Arcade holds the title of the largest penny arcade in the North of England. With over 100 coin-operated amusement and novelty machines spanning the 1920s through to the 1960s and beyond, it offers a hands-on journey through a genuinely fascinating chapter of British social history.
The largest Old Penny Arcade in the North, set within the heart of Yorkshire.
Mixed in with the machines are some extremely rare, still-working examples, usually seen only in private collections and museum settings.
A cross-section of our British social history evokes fond memories of childhood seaside holidays and fun times gone by for all ages.
See Working Models depicting ‘The Firefighters’ rescuing the baby, or ‘Madame Zascha’ writing out your fortune by hand, or ‘The Twins’, a race to each drink their milk, or ‘The Haunted Churchyard’, each a moving marvel to behold, set in miniature.
Laugh along with our ‘Laughing Policeman’ and our ‘Laughing Gardener’.
Survive the wrath of ‘Doctor Doom’, and test your wits with our Allwin flick ball games, and 1930s pinballs made before flippers were even invented!
Play classic and skilful games, rewarded with Polo mints, Kit Kat, or Penguin bar if successful.
Discover ‘The Penny Falls’, the original tipping point game when old pennies were large enough to push and tip.
Challenge your friends to our 2 Player racing games, ‘The Grand National’, ‘The Motor Car Racer’ or ‘The Grand Marathon Cycle Race’.
Test your strength to discover what your occupation would have been.
Consult the mechanical Palmist and receive your individual reading on a card.
Select a life question from our Egyptian ‘Pharos’ for a YES or NO answer direct from the Mummy’s Tomb.
Another penny token vends a photo of your future Husband, Wife, Baby, or Mother-in-Law!
Discover your inner self with our ‘Passion Tester’ for an on-the-spot result.
Test your skill on our 1930s Merchandiser grabber cranes, and fill your boots with traditional sweetie prizes, bringing back times when you really could win!
Our old penny arcade is open the same hours as the garden centre. You can purchase your old pennies for use in the machines directly within the arcade at designated change machines using either cash or card. £1 for 6 old pennies.
Altogether a thoroughly grand afternoon out for pennies.