"London stores??" Topic

A question for all London (England) dwellers out there, are there any good hobby stores for miniatures (OOP & current)in the "greater london area? I am interested primarily in 25/28mm figures.

Thanks, Joe

Hi Joe,

There are a few in Central London. We listed these a few months back on this message board for another visitor.

Unfortunately. London is a very expensive place to do business, so, as you suggest most of the retailers are actually in the 'burbs'. Please also bear in mind that our Central Line tube is broken so, going East/West is slightly more problematic than usual.

Some that come to mind in the region are Essex miniatures ( Actually in London [just] figures, scenery etc. + showroom), Redoubt Miniatures (Essex London borders - close enough), Caliver books (East North London - book shop + miniatures) - all to the East of the capital. All providing excellent service. All contact details listed on this site.

In the centre Orcs Nest (Fantasy games and figures) and the ubiquitous GW. Also, you may get scenery and figures at Hamley's Toy Emporium and Beatties - kits and possibly scenery. Although, Hamley's has become a lot more Disneyfied of late. Don't forget to stop in at Forbidden Planet on the way through - an education.

Out to the west, you've got ...And So It Begins, at Ealing, dealing in fantasy games and figures. You might also want to check out Leisure Games in Finchley who carry several ranges.

Also some modelling shops such as 4D on the City Road (North of Old St tube) - well worth a look at for scenery and raw materials, tools etc.

And, if you're still not tired out, try Comet Games in Battersea who sell Starship Phasers and Batmobiles and large figures...Oh my!

...Happy Retail Therapy.

Chris, good summary, but the geography is a bit out isn't it?

Essex Miniatures in London? By what definition?! A long haul out to Canvey Island which is about as Essex as you can get!

Redoubt are in Eastbourne, which hasn't been close to an Essex border ever, as far as I know.

And Caliver are in Leigh on Sea, which is even further than Canvey isn't it?

And don't forget Gripping Beast in Richmond.

Gordon (former Essex Boy)

See what happens when you try to help someone…OK, so, my directions aren't perfect…I did say the addresses were on this site, which he'd have to check as I didn't provide any.

…but, IMO, it's all about timing and that depends where you're coming from. From here in East London, it's 45mins at the outside to Canvey, less time than it takes me to get to Picadilly Circus. And, if you can find a patch of green between here and there good luck to ya. Leigh is a straight hop from Liverpool St, not much more than an hour, which you can combine with a visit to Canvey. Redoubt, of course, my mistake! OTOH it's about an hour from Victoria, which is less time than to Richmond by tube from Victoria.

I should have asked Cowboy how long he's in town for, where he's starting from, how much money he has, how long he's prepared to travel for and what specifically he's looking for. But here's a better idea. Go to:

wargamesdirectory.com

select "traders" from the menu – enter "London" in the location field and then look up the trader locations by keying their post codes into the UK place finder at

streetmap.co.uk

Chris, I wasn't ragging you, and agree with your travel assessment. I was just concerned that an American might turn up and be wandering around in the wilds of Canvey, wondering if this was London.

You are right, there are very few green bits between London and Southend.

Gordon,

it's all right, me hearty! {;-). No offense taken or intended... I was actually giving myself grief, because I should have asked all those relevant questions, instead of ripping off the list as fast as possible, wrongly. I mean pointless identifying Essex if he don't like or want to go there, nah what ah mean? After all, I only succeeded in making more work - your reply - this reply to your reply - a little less haste and more speed, what?

...and, I realised half way through that I'm unecessary as a shopping tour guide because the information needed to plan any wargaming itinary is available on-line - from this excellent site or the wargames directory portal! I could have just pointed Cowboy at the two sites and let him investigate for himself.

Folks
I will be visiting London in April. Any good bookstores you can reccomend? When I was there this last year I went to one, a multi storey building with a huge selection. Cant remember its name

thnks

larry huber

Do you mean Foyles? On Charing Cross Road? Good military section and all sorts of other stuff too.

Within walking range of there is MotorBooks, in St Martins Court, which has a ton of military stuff.

If books in general is what you want, Charing Cross Road has Borders, loads of small shops and is close by for most of the others like Waterstones.

While some other's are asking about bookstores to visit while in London, I've been in touch with CAMRA. I just have to watch that I don't spill the "Real Ale" on the books I purchase. Are these London visits related to "Salute"?

While some others are asking about bookstores to visit while in London, I've been in touch with CAMRA. I just have to watch that I don't spill the "Real Ale" on the books I purchase. Are these London visits related to "Salute"?

Not for me, We are having a long overdue family visit, combined with a wedding... But there will be a wee bit of time for shopping (I am certain) :-)

There's also "Playin' Games" near the museum.

Folks
I will be there for Salute. Looking forward to it.

take care
larry h

Re Motor Books - there are two shops with another store in between. If you go to the wrong one and are too embarased to ask you might not notice the other!

Re Beatties - these are now Model Zone. They have plastic 1/72 kits, paint and scenery stuff but carry no figures or games these days.

Ah, the Beatties/ModelZone down near to Holburn has quite a large range of plastic figures these days.

I've visited the Essex Miniatures factory shop and it's good because you can guarantee you'll come home with the figures you want, because they'll cast them there and then if need be. Friendly guys too. The building isn't so easy to find though, and it has bars like Fort Knox.

I've also visited Caliver books. That's a good one too, good people. And lots of stock (books & rules) to browse through.

They are a bit of a trek out from London, but I found them worth it if you are after something particular or have some free time. Wouldn't fancy it by train though - car is easier.

Leisure Games is great for rules, they have boxes and boxes of them at the back of the store. Figs too, and lots of board games.

Orcs Nest stock Renegade, Reaper, GZG and others.

I've never visited Gripping Beast - has anyone here ?