Bertie is visiting UK/France - Miniature Tourist Suggestions

[Constable Bertrand]

Hi all,

I'll be popping over to Paris and London in February next year for 3 glorious weeks. What must see mini events and locations would you suggest to cram in?

I'll have the wifey and bubby in tow.

What castles would you recommend?
What London and nearby museums? WW1 Planes, cars, trains, motorbikes, military?
Best hobby shops? GW headquaters? Foundry?
Anything else?

Thanks guys, really appreciate it - off to search the forum

[Deedles]

The Guards Museum in London is well worth a visit

http://www.theguardsmuseum.com

And the RAF museum at Hendon
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk

[von Lucky]

In London the Imperial War Museum for sure, while I liked the National Army Museum and National Maritime Museum. It's been 7 or so years, so a local might have a better idea if they're worthwhile.

[sonicReducer]

HMS Belfast on the Thames is good too, I was lucky to have a walk around with a gentleman who served on board during the Korean War

[Cerdic]

Can't say for the Paris part, but as far as London goes...

First off, forget wargames shops. They can't afford London retail space!

There are enough museums and stuff to keep you busy for weeks, though. While you are staying in London invest in an Oyster card to get around. It works on the buses, tube etc, and is the most cost effective way of getting around. Don't even contemplate attempting to drive in London.

The iconic castle is, of course, the Tower Of London. It is expensive and takes the best part of a day to visit. Well worth it though. Massive, well preserved castle plus the Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders, and part of the Royal Armouries etc.

Windsor Castle is on the Western edge of London. Also well worth a visit. The oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world, apparently.

The big public museums should certainly be on your list. They are all free entry but the food is pricey! The Natural History and Science Museum are next door to each other, which is handy. The Science Museum is good for cars and planes and stuff like that. The British Museum is a must for anyone with the slightest interest in history. It is packed with stuff nicked, err, collected from all over the world.

Other museums. Imperial War Museum and the National Army Museum have just had makeovers and I haven't been recently so can't say what they are like now. Both certainly used to be good. The Museum Of London in the City is well worth a visit. HMS Belfast, as mentioned, is very good.

If you are looking to travel a bit further afield, these are all do-able as a day trip from London...

Duxford. An old airbase, now part of the Imperial War Museum.

Chatham Historic Dockyard. Close by is Rochester Castle.

Dover. The castle, obviously. Bloody massive and the WW2 tunnels!

Hastings battlefield. Not actually in Hastings, a few miles up the road in the town of Battle! A new visitor centre and a great walk round the battlefield. When you are done pop into Hastings for great fish and chips and beer on the newly refurbished pier!

Portsmouth. Historic dockyard is fabulous. The Mary Rose exhibition is stunning, plus the Victory, harbour tours, and a shedload of other stuff.

Not military, but sounds like you would enjoy the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest. Big collection of old cars and bikes including several Land Speed Record breakers.

For day trips out of London hiring a car may be your best bet. Don't go to a central London car hire branch, though. Prices will be higher and you will get stuck in central London traffic! Take public transport to an outer London location near to the M25 and pick up your car from there.

Anything else you want to know, just ask...

[joroas]

Wargames?  Spend a day in the home of the lead men: Nottingham!    Also, check the dates for large shows that we have!

[Sir_Theo]

In Paris Les Invalides is also a good place to visit. Tomb of Napoleon and the French Army museum.

[Wookington]

If you are looking for Wargaming stores directly in London you have Dark Sphere in Lambeth (largest, some discount), Orc's Nest in Covent Garden (smaller and pretty expensive, also staff not the friendliest) and Leisure Games up in Finchley (never been). 

[Mason]

You also need to make sure that you let us know when so some of us can meet up with you in London, mate.
Even if you can only fit in a quick lunch somewhere between your sightseeing, that would be good.
 

[Harry Faversham]

Try and get to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, you'll not be disappointed.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford

 

[Paul Hicks]

Duxford is a must. Fantastic collection of aircraft, armoured vehicles, war in the Far East and the Airbourne Museum as well.

Hendon also has a spectacular collection.

If you can look into a train trip to Leeds. The Royal Armories there are well worth a visit.

[Constable Bertrand]

Fantastic, you guys rock, 

Plenty of leads there for setting out an itinerary to compliment the wife's art museums.

Mason, for sure, trip is 3rd of Feb - 27 Feb. Will be in London for some of that, and Paris, possibly Portugal and Spain too, but looking for maybe upto a week in London towards the first half of the trip.

Cheers
Matt

[Jabba]

If the wife is after Art museums the V&A is directly opposite the Science Museum.

Tony

[Tactalvanic]

My Wife forced/co-erced a day together in the V&A back in April.

Sigh.

It was her birthday and the wedding anniversary to, so she was pretty much was getting what she wanted that week.

I looked longingly at the Science and Natural History Museums as she lead me into the V&A..

Thoroughly enjoyed every minute in there, it's a fantastic place, she almost had to abandon me there.

[Ulu Elsomalien]

For the France part, I may suggest some locations...
WEST of Paris

-France Miniature (litterally a miniature of France with most of its sightseeing spots at 1/30 scale, based in Elancourt 78990). Family friendly (it should be on a family activities centered forum with the "miniature hobbyist-friendly" label). Sadly it's closed until March 2018 (planning your next trip).

Website : http://www.franceminiature.fr/en

-Rambolitrain (museum about scale trains in Rambouillet 78120). Family friendly too.

Website : http://www.rambolitrain.com/ no english version

-Château de Versailles (the well known palace and his beautiful park, not related to miniatures)

Website : http://en.chateauversailles.fr/

-Les Fous du Roy (hobby shop in Versailles 78000)

Website : http://lesfousduroy.fr/ no english version

Versailles also got a GW store.

A fellow Adventurer from Portugal asked about hobby shop some time ago here : http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=103774.msg1290463#msg1290463

The topic thread being less than a page, you can read my posts there.

Cheers and enjoy your stay "up" there.