| earlofwessex | 08 Sep 2017 12:58 a.m. PST |
I'm going to be in the UK (London area) with a car for several weeks in May/June (not sure of the exact dates yet). I just realized I could bring my teenage boys to a convention. |
| John Armatys | 08 Sep 2017 1:29 a.m. PST |
Partizan in Newark, 20 May 2018 is already in my diary – quite a long drive from London in English terms, but a good show. |
| Darrell B D Day | 08 Sep 2017 2:17 a.m. PST |
Legionary, Exeter is usually held in May. Phalanx, St Helens is usually in June. Both about 200 miles from London. DBDD |
| bruntonboy | 08 Sep 2017 2:22 a.m. PST |
Phoenix in Penrith, Cumbria. Third annual show close to the wonderful Lake District with plenty of other things to do. link Facebook page phoenix-show.co.uk Show website Hardly a local show to London of course but we have better scenery up here and beer. |
| Gnu2000 | 08 Sep 2017 5:54 a.m. PST |
Partizan is on the Sunday. If you make a weekend of it then there is the English Civil War Centre and Newark Castle in town and Dherwood Forest is close by. |
| earlofwessex | 08 Sep 2017 10:54 a.m. PST |
Thanks! I think that Phalanx or Partizan is a possibility. |
 Swampster  | 08 Sep 2017 11:01 a.m. PST |
Games Expo is in Birmingham NEC first weekend of June. Just about all card and board games being played and associated dealers rather than tabletop miniatures although there are miniatures competitions and a couple of dealers.
ukgamesexpo.co.uk
Easy access by rail from London. |
| MajorB | 08 Sep 2017 11:23 a.m. PST |
We don't have what you would describe and recognise as "conventions" in the UK. All the events referred to above are "shows" – mainly opportunities to shop and view "demo" games. The number of "participation" games (where visitors can join in and play) varies from show to show but usually about half the games present are not for public participation. |
| MajorB | 08 Sep 2017 11:24 a.m. PST |
Thanks! I think that Phalanx or Partizan is a possibility. Newark is just about doable from London in a day. St Helens in Lancashire will take you most of the day to get there and the same to get back so you will need to plan one or more overnight stays. |
| Vigilant | 08 Sep 2017 12:30 p.m. PST |
Partisan is the easiest journey – straight up the A1 which is 70 mph limit for the bulk of the way – then follow the signs to the Showground from Newark. |
| steamingdave47 | 08 Sep 2017 12:59 p.m. PST |
Rail from Kings Cross to Newark is only 80 minutes, regular service. Much more relaxing than tackling the A1. |
| nickinsomerset | 08 Sep 2017 1:49 p.m. PST |
Push it to the right a little then get to Battlegroup South at Bovington, usually the first weekend of July, great games and a museum full of Tanks! Tally Ho! |
| earlofwessex | 09 Sep 2017 2:38 a.m. PST |
Thanks again for the info. A great UK show is exactly what I'm looking for, rather than a convention. I want to release my teenage sons into a big dealer's hall and see their expressions. My first ever was in Darby in '96. I had just heard of minis wargaming and had over 100 GBP in my pocket. I spent the first day getting catalogs and taking notes, then spent hours that night planning my purchases: coming away with so much lead, plus paints and so forth – good times. Since I was a newbie, I decided to just go up and talk with one of the contestants for the WRG 6th ed. tournament. I picked a man who was packing up his Bactrians after moping up the floor with a German player (nothing against Germany). We talked for a long time. Then he went on to win the whole thing. I only went to one other show and ended up bumping into the same man. |
