Games Workshop, a world famous publisher of wargames
and role-playing games and a brand that I have been familiar
with most of my life, be it in the model shops that I frequented,
seeing their product ranges in magazines and catalogues I read or
their stalls at the conventions I visited. Yet, with the exception of
HeroQuest and Space Crusade I had never directly
supported them, but not intentionally I might add! I really
wanted to as it had all the makings of something I would have been
'into' but (much like
Dungeons & Dragons) I didn't know anyone
else that was 'into'
Warhammer and so it never happened. This didn't
stop me from admiring them however, despite the stories and
characters being lost on me it never stopped me from admiring the
miniatures and the way they were painted and that's why I was excited
to learn that there was an actual
Warhammer Museum at
GamesWorkshop's global visitor centre! I visited last year and
deliberately left it off my
'2016 New Years blog post, thingy' as I
thought it was worthy of its own post. So without further ado...
The global visitor centre is located at Games Workshop's base of
operations in Nottingham featuring three retail stores including the
world’s only Forge World and Black Library stores selling a range
of exclusive merchandise and miniatures there is even an events
hall made to resemble a castle courtyard filled with gaming
tables which are free to request, reserve and use where regular
tournaments are held highlighting how much of a social event
Warhammer is, as several tables had players setting up on them. Even
eating keeps within the Warhammer theme as players can stop off for a
drink and a bite to eat at Bugman’s Bar (I understand it is named
after the greatest dwarven brew-master) dressed up to look like an
old tavern (be sure to try the Bugman Burger) where players can
discuss the franchise over a flagon of ale (or coke). After a very
nice lunch we turned our attention to their terrific museum open to
anyone for a very reasonable entry fee. the exhibit starts with
several cabinets of classic Citadel miniatures documenting the
company's humble beginnings
as a bedroom mail-order
company first formed in 1975 that is guaranteed to have
visitors saying “
I remember that one” a few times, before opening
up to 4 exhibition areas packed with thousands of Citadel and
Forge World miniatures.
The miniatures have been painted by the
renowned ‘Eavy Metal, Army Painter and Forge World teams. It has 17
specially built display boards featuring over 20,000 miniatures that
are regularly changed showing off the work of guest displays
with miniatures painted by members of the painting community. All
rounded off by the impressively vast 'Battle For Angelus
Prime' The biggest display board Games Workshop has ever
created which is impossible to not be blown away by! I had a very
long wander around the exhibition, as I said the stories and
characters were unknown to me, but I still derived just as much
pleasure from examining the details and marvelling at the little ad
ons and the artist's abilities, it really is an art exhibition worthy
of a visit and I urge you to seek it out.
©
Arfon Jones 2017. All images are
copyrighted throughout the world.
cooked to our specifications it was
perfect, and we enjoyed it whole heartedly. Much like all the other
Little Chefs, this one is also due for closure in six weeks, with no
clue as to what the future will bring as preparations are underway
outside for an A50 'Growth Corridor' a multi-million pound
Government investment aiming to, “cut congestion, address safety
concerns, support local businesses, create more jobs and
opportunities for Staffordshire people”... and bypass the Little
Chef site! So if you are on the A50 and hungry don't stop at the
McDonalds, cross over to the Little Chef and enjoy the before listed features.
