"A visit to the UK - best time for best convention?" Topic

Hi all,

I have the opportunity for a 4 day visit to the UK between the end of Aug 17 to Mid Jun 18. I know there are a few conventions held and now I have a chance to go.

Can anyone recommend which ones would be worth the trip. I am flexible but thinking of London or within a couple of hours drive, even though that's most of the UK… ok just kidding!

But seriously If someone could recommend a good convention, plenty of games to try, sellers, flea market options etc. As far as my tastes go, if its miniatures and its a game I'm in.

Many thanks in advance.

Salute link is always worth a visit.

I recommend that you do not drive in London. You will typically spend more time searching for parking than you're visit justifies.

x42

Salute is the biggest, held at the Excel Centre in Docklands in April. Salute 2018 will be on April 14th. It is a monster – the largest Wargame show in Europe. There are loads of show reports on previous years that you could Google to get a taste.

I also quite like SELWG, held at Crystal Palace in South London. This years one is 22nd October, I think. You can check out the brilliant "wrong" Victorian Dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park too.

There's a few sites with show calendars around – here's the first two Google provided me with:

link

bhgs.org.uk/calendar.html

No flea market at Salute, it's more of a 'shopping' show.

Conventions in the UK are different to US ones – there are few participation games. So If you are looking to try games, a wargames convention is probably not what you want; you'd be better visiting a wargame club near where you are staying.

Thanks all,

I was thinking of Salute for next year. So I will see what I can find on good ol Google about Salute.

Happy for any more good info as I can probably get there a couple of times in the next 12 months. Finally I am working close enough to make the trip worthwhile and not 10 hours long. Oh no worries about driving love the tube.

The Partizan conventions held twice a year at Newark have quite a few participation games normally. While nowhere near as big as Salute they are still quite large by UK standards and if you get bored there is an aircraft museum nearby.

partizan.org.uk

where are you staying in the uk?

My totally North American observation is that there seems to be at least one show somewhere in the UK every weekend!

If you like TooFatLardies rules, there are a few shows dedicated to them every year.

Salute is the big one in the London area, most of the UK within a couple of hours drive – you clearly have never seen UK traffic. Around the south east you would be lucky to get 40 miles in that time.

Conventions in the UK are different to US ones – there are few participation games.

Salute has lots of participation games (or "party" ganes as we call them here).

I'm a great fan of the West Midlands Military Show held in Wolverhampton on a Sunday in early March. I travel 100 miles each way to get there. A good mix of display and participation games, a bring and buy (one of the best ones left on the circuit) and nearly all the main traders.
Newark (Partizan) is a close second (the best display games and a decent mix of participation games since it moved to it's new venue, but a slightly smaller trade representation and no bring & buy) and if you are based in London the town is just over an hour from London by train on the East Coast Main Line from Kings Cross.

Obsidian23,

If you find yourself in London on a Thursday evening you would be welcome to come along to The Exiles club for a game: link

We game in the basement of a pub and as well as involving you in the game, would also get you a drink or two.

Ezza

@ Elbow, yep seen the traffic, hence the train travel.:)
@ Shaun, no place decided, would depend on what my plan for a convention would be. Pretty flexible.
@ Ezra, many thanks, if I can plan it right I might just take you up on the offer.

Gents et all, thank you. Appreciate the recommendations, invites and suggestions. I might as I said be able to make two trips. So Salute is surely one as I have always wanted to go to it.

Cheers.

If you can make more than one show then have a go at Salute, it's big and noisy and that might float your boat.

For a second show then one of the more northern ones. Vapnartak in York is a goodie as is Carronade in Falkirk and Claymore in Edinburgh. Friendly shows with room to speak and hear.

Thanks Jim, always wanted to visit the Bonie lands of Scotland so that might be my second trip.