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Author Topic: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?  (Read 3361 times)

Offline zebcook

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  • Posts: 199
What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« on: July 03, 2014, 12:27:21 PM »
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.

Offline WitchfinderGeneral

  • Mad Scientist
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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2014, 01:53:49 PM »
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.
"I'd like to send this letter to the Prussian consulate in Siam by aeromail. Am I too late for the 4:30 autogyro?"
"Uh, I better look in the manual... This book must be out of date. I don't see "Prussia", "Siam" or "autogyro"...

Offline Emir of Askaristan

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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2014, 03:47:17 PM »
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.

Offline zebcook

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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2014, 02:55:51 AM »
The Freemason one I hadn't heard about. Strange occult things are always good. Thanks!

Offline Momotaro

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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2014, 10:10:54 PM »
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.

Offline nic-e

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    • Mystarikum
Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2014, 05:18:29 PM »
you could look for a cass arts if you want some specialist craft supplies.
never trust a horse, they make a commitment to shoes that no animal should make.

http://mystarikum.blogspot.co.uk/

Offline zebcook

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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2014, 04:00:00 AM »
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?

Offline thenamelessdead

  • Scientist
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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2014, 07:11:50 PM »
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.

Offline joroas

  • Galactic Brain
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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2014, 07:27:21 PM »
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.....
'So do all who see such times. But that is not for us to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that we are given.'

Offline Too Bo Coo

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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2014, 08:35:29 PM »
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...
"A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men."
-Willy Wonka

Offline nic-e

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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2014, 12:03:04 AM »
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.

Offline synthetik

  • Student
  • Posts: 15
Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2014, 06:09:23 AM »
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.

Offline joroas

  • Galactic Brain
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Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2014, 06:13:11 AM »
Military wise, places to see:

National Army Museum
Imperial War Museum
Churchill's War Rooms
HMS Belfast
Loads of Regimental Museums, Guards, Artillery, etc.

Offline Fighting15s

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    • Fighting 15s
Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2014, 07:22:07 AM »
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
Ian
Fighting 15s
Gladiator Miniatures, Fighting 15s Flags, Martian Empires and Flashing Blade Miniatures
https://www.fighting15s.com

Offline Rot

  • Lurker
  • Posts: 4
Re: What's a wargamer to see/do in London?
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2014, 01:09:09 PM »
If you have any interest in plastic figures or kits then Hannants is a must.
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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