"If you were going to a single UK show which one?" Topic

My friends are looking at hitting a UK show as part of a trip.

Salute is out due to scheduling conflict in 2025.

So in 2025 sans Salute what are your suggestions?

I attended a great show in Leeds, name unknown, as part of a Grand Tour of Great Britain. It was a great experience but that was in 1985 so today, who knows?"

Vapnartak, York in February

Partizan or The Other Partizan, Newark Showground, May or October partizan.org.uk

Beachhead at Bournemouth, 8/9 Feb,

Tally Ho!

I've only ever been to Salute, so can't comment on the other shows – but if I was visiting the UK, I'd recommend York – it's a tremendous place, chock full of history.

Carronade in Falkirk, Scotland – 3rd May 2025. You can visit the Antonine Wall and Edinburgh Castle on the same trip. The battle sites of Falkirk Muir and Bannockburn are very near too.

The obvious answer from me is Claymore in my home city of Edinburgh, always the first Saturday in August. Its 10 minutes drive in the car and I would be obliged to attend as I'm one of the original show organisers.

I asked the same question, Windward, as I am planning a side trip next year just to see a show. I haven't managed to schedule in a major show in previous trips. I want to see one of the "game" shows like those showcased in Military Modelling, Battle, Wargames Illustrated, etc, rather than further overburden my stash or compete.

Most of the British gamers I know suggested that Partizan, with it's emphasis on display and participation games rather than traders, would probably suit me best. Colours, Claymore and Vapnartak also got a mention, while most said Salute is basically a trade show these days. bhgs.org.uk/calendar.html and partizan.org.uk (The UK/Ireland show calendar is not updated for 2025 yet, but the date for Partizan 2025 is up) have good lists of the shows.

Carronade, in Falkirk, seconded!

Salute

Partizan The Other Partizan and/or Hammerhead. They are all at the same venue through the year.

It partly depends if you want games or shopping.

most said Salute is basically a trade show these days

There's a lot of trade and trade run demo games but also a lot of really impressive big display games from clubs. One good thing about Excel is that it is not short on space. So if someone wants a 16' x 8' table they can have it.

Attack at Devizes – for me because it is fairly local but mainly because it is a really friendly show.

If you're anticipating playing multiple games Hammerhead is the only show where every game is available for participation. Partizan(s) are a mix of eye candy and participation as are most other shows around the UK. All UK shows will have a heavy trade presence, unfortunately more and more of which is retailers rather than manufacturers these days.

If Salute is out of the equation, Partizan or the Other Partizan are a great advert for the hobby in UK. I've visited many of the other major English shows over the years but the lads in Newark are a step above.

If you want to take in some very good Museums as well without travelling miles then Vapnartak at York Racecourse in February is the one for you. If you want a choice of about 40 participation games and a very busy tabletop sale them Hammerhead at Newark in March is a good bet, and if you fancy seeing probably the best demo games as well as some very decent participation games the two Partizan events are what you want, all at Newark.

Avoid them all – they are full of wargamers. If you go anywhere, make sure it's out of season, especially skool holidays because you will be unmercifully ripped off.

Yup Partizans or Hammerthead if you are in the area. Thre are a few other shows localy say 50 miles) but Partixzan Hammerahead are the biggest and very good with excellent parking.

Partizan/The Other Partizan……

Reasons? See link:

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