Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Knight on September 03, 2019, 08:14:37 AM
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Any recommendations for wargaming related attractions?
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Utrecht is close by and has Subcultures, my favorite store in the Netherlands. There is also De Tafelridder in Leiden, also a great shop.
But AFAIK in Amsterdam there's not a lot to find. What kind of stuff are you looking for?
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What kind of attractions are you looking for? also museums?
DJ
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Nope. Gamekeeper in the Hartenstraat doesn't sell wargames for over fifteen years now, only boardgames.
There are two Games Workshop stores now I believe. The one on rozengracht is a beautiful building.
There is a wargames club now though, the Sixshooters I believe.
I recall hearing another name of a store in Utrecht but I have no idea.
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What kind of attractions are you looking for? also museums?
DJ
Do you mean to say, why come to the Netherlands and stay in Amsterdam at all? lol
Unfortunately it's not like it was 5-10 years ago in the Netherlands. Shops are closing down or greatly cut down on their products. Rent is sky-high as ground per m2 is very expensive, wages are exppensive, taxes are high and ditto for the mandatory papers, permits and licenses. Add to that a pretty small customer base, a strong chain of Games Workshops - and the increasing popularity and imho quality of their products - and the competition of the interwebs so yes, the days of browsing literally 1000's of blisters in a shop are wayyy back these days. Unfortunately Holland isn't the country for miniature shopping anymore :'(
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Do you mean to say, why come to the Netherlands and stay in Amsterdam at all? lol
I can't recall the last time I went to Amsterdam, could be 5+ years ago lol
DJ
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As a buddy of mine once said: " the best thing you like about Amsterdam is the last train east ( I live in Zwolle )" :D.
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I recall hearing another name of a store in Utrecht but I have no idea.
It's been awhile since I've been to Utrecht for miniatures, but isn't there a another gamestore across the street or across the canal from Subcultures? I remember going there last time I was there but that was a few years ago
if you make it down to The Hague (Den Haag) there's table top kingdoms
As for Amsterdam the Rijksmuseum is always worth it for the Nightwatch IMHO although I do believe they're currently restoring it
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There used to be the Joker but they stopped selling miniatures some 20 years ago afaik. And further up the canal I've spotted a small shop carrying GW, but it was after working hours and I never went back so cannot tell you more...
TTK isn't cheap on Reaper Bones. I've seen also GW but I don't think they carry much more beside that ( been there only once so don't take my words for granted ).
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There is the National Tin Figure Museum in Ommen. It is an easy day trip from Amsterdam by rail.
https://www.tinnenfigurenmuseum.nl/
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I live in Amsterdam and I'm a proud member of the Amsterdam6shooters.
We don't have miniature shops in our great city, unfortunately. If you like a game you can drop in, check dates at our site www.amsterdam6shooters.nl.
If you want military history, take the train to Arnhem, just an hour away, and visit the Airborne museum.
(edit: yes, we have 2 GW shops of course. But no independent wargame shops).
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Just be aware that ‘window shopping’ is likely a different experience to that found on your local high street. ;)
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True...you don't get to see windows as they are too crowded by thousands of tourists...
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Nope. Gamekeeper in the Hartenstraat doesn't sell wargames for over fifteen years now, only boardgames.
There are two Games Workshop stores now I believe. The one on rozengracht is a beautiful building.
There is a wargames club now though, the Sixshooters I believe.
I recall hearing another name of a store in Utrecht but I have no idea.
Yes, Amsterdam Sixshooters is my my club (charter member) and we meet two Sunday's a month. Not quite the centrum but easy to get to. I second Subcultures, but they are expensive. Over MSRP. They also don't list the tax on the price, which is odd for Europe. So expect to pay VAT on top of what you see. So unless it's something you can't find elsewhere, better to hold off.
I've lived in Amsterdam for 12 years and in fact became Dutch. I buy my stuff mostly from online sellers. The Dutch shops are mostly overpriced. I buy from a shop I Germany I found advertised here.
So aside from the clubs, not much in the gaming scene. That said, Amsterdam is really lovely and there are many sites to see for our tourists. But of course you will be a short train ride from Utrecht, Leiden, Den Haag, Rotterdam and some smaller cities. All very worthwhile as well.
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Enjoyed my visit :D