Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: zebcook on July 03, 2014, 01:27:21 PM
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Heading to London for a week in September. Already scoped out the usual suspects (Imp. War Museum, etc.), so what's some unknown/unusual things I should check out while I'm there? Any must go shops?
Zeb Cook
PS. Travelling sans car, so public transport only.
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Been there 4 weeks ago. The IWM was closed then. Instead we went on the guided tour at the Freemasons Hall. That was very impressive! I can recommend it to everybody interested in history and/or "occult"! PLUS it's indoors (if you have enough of walking around in the rain), there's no queuing and the admission is basically free.
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The Tower is pretty good though busy. Hms Belfast across the Thames is close and nearby some decent eateries. Depends what your interest is I spose. The IWM is great and although I never made it the museum of London would be on my list to go to.
Foyles bookshop and Orc's Nest are a couple of hundred yards apart on Charing Cross rd and Earlham st and the British Museum is round the corner from both in Holburn.
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The Freemason one I hadn't heard about. Strange occult things are always good. Thanks!
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If you're going to Orc's Nest, the London Graphics Centre is a fantastic nearby art supplies shop, Forbidden Planet is also close, and there are several GWs nearby.
British Museum is a short walk away, and is a must.
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you could look for a cass arts if you want some specialist craft supplies.
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Well, not sure I'm going to haul craft supplies back on the plane to the US. ("Honest, Mr. TSA, I didn't know I had 500 x-acto blades in my luggage!" ).
So what's the best shop in London for historical minis?
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If you want a pub I'd recommend a Sam Smiths establishment. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a particular favourite of mine. There is another on Holborn (I think) that had a Modelzone near it, not sure if that's still the case though.
For shops the Orc's Nest is probably the one to go for. Also Darksphere near Waterloo Station. Camden Market is good for general amusement and alternative stuff, I used to live in Camden.
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I'm afraid that if you want lots of historical minis then Nottingham is the place. If you know what you want then get them posted to your hotel, it's what I have done on my trips to the US. Last year I picked up orders from Pulp Alley and Pulp Minis, this year I have orders in to Brigade and Pulp Minis.....
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Well, not sure I'm going to haul craft supplies back on the plane to the US. ("Honest, Mr. TSA, I didn't know I had 500 x-acto blades in my luggage!" ).
So what's the best shop in London for historical minis?
It's not a problem in your checked bag, people pack all sorts of strange things...
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It's not a problem in your checked bag, people pack all sorts of strange things...
I myself have brought back crossbows, swords and even knuckle dusters (illegal here, shhhhh) and never had any issue.
if you ever want to get drugs into a country, i recommend packing them in a dangerous weapon, since no one will bother to look.
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To be honest Orcs Nest isn't the shop to go for wargames. Its a RPG shop that has some mini's but not many.
In Central London , there is DarkSphere , near Waterloo, but its not really a historical shop , it has great tables though.
As mentioned Nottingham is the best place for historicals.
I would suggest IF the weather is decent , at least take a boat along the thames , you cna get it from the pier by the embankment.
Fyi , buses no longer use cash here , you need an oyster card , which will cost a fiver to buy and then you can top up.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless?cid=ex092
any other questions , please ask.
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Military wise, places to see:
National Army Museum
Imperial War Museum
Churchill's War Rooms
HMS Belfast
Loads of Regimental Museums, Guards, Artillery, etc.
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The Cartoon Museum - very close to the British Museum, and a welcome break from historical exhibits - currently has an exhibition of WWI cartoons and comic art.
http://www.cartoonmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/current-exhibitions (http://www.cartoonmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/current-exhibitions)
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If you have any interest in plastic figures or kits then Hannants is a must.
http://www.hannants.co.uk/ (http://www.hannants.co.uk/)
It's close to the RAF museum in Hendon. Accessible via the Northern Line on the Underground.
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Hi, you might also want to visit the Golden Hinde - a replica of Francis Drake's flagship. Quite nice, been there a couple of days ago.
http://www.goldenhinde.com
Cheers,
Shandy
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If you haven't seen it then the Siborne Waterloo model at the National Army Museum is a must for any wargamer.
Seeing this amazing diorama had a profound effect on the 8 year old me!
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We went to the National Army Museum last summer. I loved that Waterloo diorama.
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Thanks for all the advice! Definitely some suggestions here that don't show up on the standard web-search radar.