"Where to shop miniatures at London?" Topic

Hello.

This is a question to the fellow wargamers living at London.

I'm planning a trip to London for the next month and I have in my plans coming buying miniatures there, as here in Madrid (Spain) we just have two shops for buying and it gets a little expensive buying via the Internet.

Could you give me some addresses of miniatures shops at London, please? (but no GW, they are already here).

Thanks a lot. :)

You could check out Leisure Games in Finchley; it's been a while since I last went and I always drove but if you check out their site www.leisuregames.com I think they have directions on it. Last time I was there they had a good range of stuff; not much historical though.

There's The Orc Nest. Not sure of the exact address, but it's in a side street off to the right of the road directly opposite the bottom of Shaftsbury Avenue in the West End (by bottom I mean the end furthest from Picadilly Circus). They stock quite a good range of Fantasy & Sci-Fi.

If you like building your own scenary/terrain, check out The Model Shop opposite Moorfields Eye Hospital, again not sure of the address.

The Orc Nest also have bits of several ranges by Foundry, and severel sets of rules.

Tango,

I think you'll find that Orcs Nest is in Earlham St, which is on the South Side of Shaftesbury Avenue, East of where it crosses Charing Cross Road at Cambridge Circus. The Model Shop would be on City Road on the right hand side just North of Old St tube. Through the first traffic lights - the junction with East Road - it's the 1 story building with the door on the corner. And, well worth a browse.

Palafox,

You can also find a GW on the first floor of The Plaza, North side of Oxford St between Tottenham Court and Oxford Circus - although I'll caution you about the "trolls" there - I once asked them if I could order something that was out of stock and they just said "No!" - didn't even point me at their mail order - just suggested I call back until they had re-stocked...Customer service is not dead in the capital.

You may also be able to get figures at Hamleys on Regent St although it's a lot more toy orientated these days and the staff tend to be a bit hyper. A small selection of models is available at Beatties, located I think, by the junction of New Oxford St and High Holborn between Tottenahm Court and Holborn stations.

Don't know of any more shops in town, and sorry to any vendors I've missed, but rates overheads must be a big problem for small businesses in central London.

On a related note, if you were coming to England in general--with intent to hit London and a few other key tourist-type places--where are the one or two places you could work in to your itinerary and not enrage the nongaming spouse nor go terribly out-of-your way?

Historical enthusiast--no GW stores, etc.

For historical figures go and see Gripping Beast at 32 Union Court, Richmond. It's best to telephone first (020 89481002) as it is really their workshop with a small shopfront. If something is out of stock Andy and Darren have been known to cast up figures on the spot.

From Central London you can get to Richmond on the District Line of the London Underground.

for completeness there's "Playing Games" I think it's called opposite the British Museum main entrance, and a stone's throw from Holborn, though last time I was in the UK their stock seemed much reduced (downstairs, in a corner).

Orc's nest has really run down its Foundry range. It does have Renegade and some SF lines. They are in Earlham Street.

Playin' Games has few figures - mostly SF or old 15mm - but is excellent for roleplaying, rules, boardgames and the like. They are very friendly too.

The Model Shop is near Old Street tube station (150 metres), on City Road.

For figures, what you REALLY should do is visit a show. There's Warfare in Reading on 16th and 17th November but that may be too early. Not sure there's anything reasonably close to London in December. However 16th or 17th Nov is convenient then Warfare is a very good place to visit (1km from Reading station, which is about 30 mins from Paddington station in London).

Sunjester,

Ah, Richmond - it has loads of pubs - that I remember but don't forget it's an hour or more each way from central London...might be important to Palafox.

Stormtruffle

Didn't know that one - I'll have to check it out. Ta.

RW

In Central London? Hmm, problem with Central London is that there's so many things to see and do - you could spend years just wandering around. However, if you are a first time visitor...and your interests match the following...and you can dump/park the missus for a couple of hours you might try the following traditional venues.

You could give the Tower of London and its armoury a visit - if you can handle the queues in this heatwave, that is - You might even get away with that one. History - Views - Political Intrigue - Horror (OK, try buying an ice cream, then!)...Not to mention the visit to nearby Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast. Three in one, perhaps you wont get away with it.

Any of the major museums are worth a visit - even if it's not military - but, the Imperial War Museum is just South of the River across from Westminster...Bit difficult to get away with as there's nothing for the little lady to do while you're drooling. I can't remember whether the open top tour bus goes there or allows you on and off.

And, if you're of a naval bent, try a day out in Greenwich - maritime museums, royal observatory and horological collections, the park and the views from the top of the hill, the buildings and the Cutty Sark, of course - Oh and you can get there by river from...Yes, The Tower.

Chris M, Cornelius. Thanks for expanding on the addresses. I have the problem that once I know where a shop is, I can find it again, so I never remember addresses.

Thank you very much for your help.

As I can see you usually get the figures at the shows, pity I can not go in time to get to visit one. But I'll go to the places you told me.

The good thnig is that I'm going alone, so the only ladies are the ones I could meet there ;)

Thanks for your tips on London, I was planning to visit a lot of their museums but I didn't knew about the naval ones. Of course I'll have to get time to know them.

Cheers. :)