Miniatures in Nottingham 2019: Salute!

Today we will arrive from all around the world to meet in London England. Tour members will be arriving throughout the day and will be given detailed instructions on how to meet up with the rest of our tour participants. From there you will have a free day to explore all that London has to offer. Depending on your arrival time, you might want to visit Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London, stroll Hyde Park, ride the London Eye, discover Big Ben, or just sit in a café or pub and enjoy the awesomeness that is the UK. For you hard core gamers you might want to head off to visit the internationally famous hole in the wall store the Orcs Nest… Your Geek Nation Tour representative will be on hand at the hotel to get things rolling as your crewmates arrive throughout the afternoon.

You will want to return to the hotel by early evening, however, as Geek Nation Tours kicks off our landing party with our traditional Welcome Dinner right at the hotel.  It will be a great opportunity to meet your fellow tour participants and discuss what we are going to do in the coming days.  Josh will start our first evening in the UK off with a discussion of what we will do gaming-wise over the coming days. Who knows, we might even be able to get to some dice rolling on our first evening together…

We will be staying at the – Radisson Blu Edwardian / Welcome Dinner included

Overnight Location: London

Today we will visit the UK’s premier wargaming event – Salute! Put on by the South London Warlords gaming club, Salute is the biggest independent one-day wargaming and gaming event in the UK. Expect vendor booths, demos and the chance to hop into a full game if you so desire. Here is your chance to check this off your bucket list in style. The Salute crew says they might even have a few goodies for us along with our guaranteed swag bags and day passes.

Salute has loads of amazing tables, displays and re-creations of fantasy, sci-fi and of historical military events. The tables are a delight to gamers and are often massive in both proportion and inspiration. If you are even remotely interested in seeing masses of toy soldiers, flags in the air, ready to charge, Salute is a must see for wargamers of any period.

For those wargaming fans from outside of the UK, here is your chance to see some of the many smaller wargame companies that one doesn’t often see at outside of the UK… With that said, it also offers more familiar things like a huge vendor area, painting competitions, prizes, and of course – new releases.

WARNING!!! HOBBY CHALLENGE: Salute will be an excellent time to continue with your hobby challenge.  Make sure you shop outside your box there will be plenty to add to your growing love of the “other side” of the hobby…

We will be staying at the – Radisson Blu Edwardian / Breakfast included

Overnight Location: Hard Rock Hotel London (Breakfast and Dinner Included)

Today we will do some explorations of London through the eyes of a wargamer. Get on your trainers as we will be doing a bit of walking today. Our first will be the monstrous Imperial War Museum London. This is a must stop for any wargamer traveling to the city as it depicts the bravery and tragedy of conflict from World War I to present day. The museum focuses on human stories, but the depth of the displays and artifacts are truly fantastic. Often, sported as a “must see” London museum, gamers would do well to spend some solid time here. And well, we will…

From there we will head off to none other than, Dark Sphere. If you fancy super-sized gaming space, then this will please. Dark Sphere has a fantastic selection of games, gaming tables, terrain, and of course miniatures. If you are looking for something from many of the less known companies (and missed them at Salute), this may well be the place to find it.

Our final stop of the day will be the famous London geek and comic book store The Forbidden Planet who is one of the world’s largest and best-known science fiction, fantasy and cult entertainment retailers in and outside the UK. They specialize in action figures, books, comics and toys… We are pretty sure you will find something for those geeks you left back home here…

We did promise you some gaming however, and tonight is our first official gaming session. We will hook up with the London Warhammer Gaming Guild to roll some dice and get started on Josh’s Narrative. Teras will be right there too, and expect some Historical Gaming shenanigans too…

We will be staying at the – Radisson Blu Edwardian / Breakfast included

Overnight Location: London

Now is time to make our way to the centre of the wargaming world – Nottingham. Frist, we will visit the office Battlefront Miniatures. They will show us how their organizations work and where the interesting bits of publication and miniature building happen. We will even be able to sneak into their warehouse, grab a few extra issues of Wargames Illustrated and the latest coolness from Battlefront or Gale Force Nine…

The afternoon will see an even more action as we converge on Warlord Games. Expect to learn more about Bolt Action, Hail Caesar!, Gates of Antares and Konflikt 47… Warlord’s warlord, John Stallard will take us on a tour to explore their casting room, offices and store, who knows we might even get to roll some dice or run rampant through the warehouse aisles on a looting spree.

After a day of immersing into miniature games, Ludorati would like to offer you the chance to unwind, relax and enjoy the lighter side of board gaming. We’ll set up a selection of great group games that soon have you mixing and laughing together. Of course, if you don’t like the games that we suggest you’re welcome to help yourself to anything from their library of over 750 titles (including some hidden gems from local game designers!). Either way their professional staff will be in hand to ensure you have a great gaming experience.

We will be staying the night at the Jury’s Inn Nottingham / Dinner and breakfast included

Overnight Location: Nottingham

Today Geek Nation Tours has arranged a once in a lifetime wargaming experience. The Perry Twins, as they are affectionately known, have a long history in the wargaming world. They have created miniatures for Wargames Foundry and Games Workshop and were instrumental in creating the hobby we love today. Sometime ago the twins started their own wargaming company – and many of you will be able to pick up your pre-ordered Perry Miniatures minis today… But that is just the half of it. The Perry Twins, have graciously invited us into their homes. You will get to go into their households to see their armour collections and their private gaming rooms! All the while the Perrys will talk to you about the old days, recount their beginnings and show you their historical miniature line, miniature collections and get a first-hand experience on what two of the nicest people in the industry.

After we leave the twins, we will continue our exploration of wargaming companies and head off to lunch at Mantic Games. The King Kahuna of Mantic Games will be at hand to say hello and possibility roll some dice with us. Ronnie Renton is a long-standing friend of Geek Nation Tours and his kindness and enthusiasm are legendary. You can tell he loves to move toy soldiers across a table and he radiates a kind of infectious excitement about miniature wargames that brings that joy to others. He loves miniature wargame fans and Mantic is sure to launch us into some awesome fun.

We will tour Mantic’s facility, check out their warehouse, game with them or even sit down and hobby. We will dive deep into all things Mantic from Kings of War, to Dungeon Saga, Mars Attacks, Dreadball and or course their Walking Dead game. But be sure to ask for a bit of Hellboy action when you are there… I am sure Ronnie will bring something out for you. We will also have to ask Ronnie if we can pilfer their warehouse for goodies to bring home.

WARNING!!! HOBBY CHALLENGE: Another day to display your hobby prowess, and an opportunity to use your historical minis with some Kings of War action or launch into playing a multitude of other Mantic games like – Dreadball, Dungeon Saga, Star Sage or Walking Dead.

Today is also the day for our traditional outing to “Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem” pub. We’ll take in a few pints and have a tour of the pub’s secret warren of caves – there are a lot of hidey holes in Nottingham! We will dine at the “Trip” and settle in for a night at the pub. Even better, GNT will be inviting a number of special guests to our dinner. Have a beer with wargaming celebrities and join in our pub quiz and other pub fun. John Stallard from Warlord Games and Ronnie Renton from Mantic Games have both said they will join us for a “pint” or two again this year.

In the past the Perry Twins, Rick Priestly, Jervis Johnson, Andy Chambers, Alessio Cavatore – and many more notables – have joined us as well.  So be sure to bring a small game, and some gaming questions, as we settle in for the night.

This year we will continue build our guest list and invite, Daniel Jack from Atlantis Miniatures, and Robert Lane and Tim Fisher from Mierce Miniatures. Oh, and they might even be able to take some pre-orders too – for delivery right into your hands….

Further, Daniel Faulconbridge from one of the industry’s best magazines Wargames Illustrated will be on hand and may even join us on one of our day’s expeditions… Who knows, you might even end up in an article…

We will be staying the night at the Jury’s Inn Nottingham / Dinner and breakfast included

Overnight Location: Nottingham

Today we visit to the all-new Warhammer World. Revamped in 2014-15, WHW now sports three stores! In addition to the Games Workshop store, there are also separate stores for Black Library and Forge World as well. Even better, WHW now has a brand new Exhibition Centre which displays many of those beautifully painted ‘Eavy Metal miniatures you have seen in White Dwarf. But the really big news is that they now have a multitude of specially build dioramas, including the largest diorama that Games Workshop has ever built. All the dioramas are true wonders and are breath-taking for miniature fans of all types…

All tour members will have the opportunity to play friendly Warhammer 40,000, Horus Heresy or Age of Sigmar games. We suggest you bring a 1500-point army or so, but past tour participants have loaded up their trunks to play massive games this day. Participants can come and go to Bugman’s Bar for lunch and dinner, and even have a pint or two when they play. With almost 12 full hours to game here, Josh will be ramping up his narrative this day so expect the crescendo of a long hard-fought battle. Who will change the MiniWarGaming universe forever? Only you will decide…

But what will the historical gamers do today? GNT has a special treat for you… After taking in the spectacle of WHW we will be headed to the house of Warlord’s Mighty John Stallard for a game of historical coolness. John is known to be one of the most welcoming people in the industry. You want a good time? Just get him talking about the old days and you will hear some of the most interesting and humorous stories ever. John is boisterous and larger than life and a true joy to be around. Not to mention he has an awesome wargaming table and has offered to have you play at it. Yes – that’s right – you wanted to have a once in a lifetime gaming experiences… Here is your chance!

WARNING!!! MULTIPLE HOBBY CHALLENGES: Today all your hard work comes to a head!  For those gaming at Warhammer World the miniatures you brought will be taking out in earnest and Josh’s Narrative will be building to a crescendo… Meanwhile, those that brought historical minis will be able to give them a go at John’s house… What a day!

We will be staying the night at the Jury’s Inn Nottingham / Breakfast included

Overnight Location: Nottingham

Another first for Geek Nation Tours, we are super proud and excited to visit our final miniature wargaming company this day – Wargames Foundry. Established in 1976 Wargames Foundry produces miniatures, paints and other gaming supplements, with deep roots in Wargaming history. Bryan Ansell of the Foundry is the founder of Citadel Miniatures. He helped create Warhammer Fantasy Battle, was once the Managing Director of Games Workshop and had a direct hand in the Warhammer boom of the 1980s.

We will arrive after lunch to hop on a tour of their factory and workshop, witness a live casting demonstration and much more. We will also view some historical Games Workshop art and the Foundry’s massive collection of miniatures while being regaled by Bryan about the history of our hobby. His stories go way, way back, so you’re sure to learn loads about our hobby and how it developed into what it is today.

The Ansell’s are proud of their wargaming history but like to make sure visitors also explore the battlefield just outside their doors. GNT has thus arranged to do so with local historian – Mike Ingram. We will hear the story of the final battle of the War of the Roses, the Bloody Gutter and much more…

But that is not all – make sure you have your miniatures handy as we will be gaming this day as well.  All systems are welcome, and I am sure whatever you want to play your fellow tour participants will happily jump right in and roll some dice with you… We will game right in the store itself. Prior to heading back to Nottingham, we will do some late-night shopping as you pick from the largest miniature range in the industry.

We will be staying the night at the Jury’s Inn Nottingham / Dinner and breakfast included

Overnight Location: Nottingham

For many, today will be your last full day in the UK and we will travel from Nottingham to London. However, we will get some last-minute shopping, dice rolling, lunch and perhaps a last pint at Warhammer World today. We will be heading there bright and early and plan to leave just after noon to give you one last taste of Games Workshop.

WARNING!!! HOBBY CHALLENGE: For all those Historical buffs this day will allow you time to use the GW minis you have been working on to hop into the final moments of Josh’s MiniWarGame universe Narrative!

Once we arrive in London we will gather one more time for our final meal together and set off on a search for one last pub (or two).

We will be staying the night at the Radisson Blu Edwardian / Dinner and breakfast included

Attendance of special guests and celebrities is subject to change due to scheduling conflicts and professional obligations. 

Overnight Location: Nottingham

Some of us will be headed off to the airport and home today. We will take taxis and will depart in small groups. The memories, miniatures and friendships you made are yours to keep forever! Bon voyage, captain and may your travels be filled with thoughts of dice and miniatures.

For those on the extension we will transfer to the airport early today in order to head north to our next adventure. Today will be our first day to explore Hadrian’s Wall – the ancient northwest frontier of the Roman Empire for almost 300 years. It was here in AD 122 that the Romans built a wall lined with forts, milecastles and turrets that stretched 117 km from Wallsend (near Newcastle) to Bowness-on-Solway. Soldiers kept a watchful eye out for barbarian invasion and controlled the passage of people and goods through ‘checkpoints’ along the Wall. We will bring back the ghosts of 2000 years ago as we visit the most important monument ever built by the Romans in Britain.

We start off with an introduction to the Wall at the Great North Museum. The GNM covers the natural history of the area along with Ancient civilizations, but what draws us here is their awesome scale model display of Hadrian’s Wall. We will get a great view of the wall as well as an overview of where we will visit over the next couple of days. But we might as well start at the beginning and thus visit the remains of the Roman fort “Segedunum” which is considered the easternmost portion of the wall before heading off to our last stop in Newcastle –Arbeia. We will visit their wonderfully reconstructed fort and museum which is thought to be a key garrison of the area and perhaps the military supply base to the other forts on the Wall.

We will then venture off into the British country-side only to experience perhaps one of the best views on Hadrian’s Wall – Steel Rigg. But what would be a great view without a Roman Legionary and a Celt Warrior to guide us. Kevin Robson (an outdoor living, adventure, and Pre-Historic Britain enthusiast) and Joseph Jackson (an Archeologist and Heritage Management professional) will teach us about the area in costume, and take us on a forced march to dinner…

Tonight, we will stay right on Hadrian’s Wall and game into the night. Mantic Games has graciously lent us their terrain for the evening and thus our games will come alive like never before.  Their DeadZone terrain is second to none and will be featured tonight!  But what about those Historical minis? Don’t worry, Warlord Games will be sending us some Hail Caesar terrain so we have you covered too…

NOTE: Tonight, we will stay right on Hadrian’s Wall and we will game well into the night. We will be staying in a museum complex called the Sill. We will be in bunk beds and rooms based on 4 to a room… It should give us a vibe like being back in school again. Those who like the top bunk better book soon? Don’t worry it is only for one night. We will be back in comfort at a more posh hotel tomorrow night in York.

We will be staying the night at the Sill / Dinner, lunch and breakfast included

Today we will continue our exploration of Hadrian’s Wall, starting at Vindolanda – a remarkable Roman fort south of Hadrian’s Wall that is undergoing complete excavation. We will walk through the vicus (civilian settlement) and into the fort to see the excavated remains of barracks, granaries, bath-houses, headquarters building and the commanding officer’s house. Vindolanda is the home of the famous writing tablets (‘postcards from the past’), which were recently voted Britain’s top historic artefact. This place is a true wonder and a must see for anyone investigating the area.

We will continue our series of forced marches with our Roman legionary and Celt Warrior (don’t worry they are just short hikes and they are not really forced) at Housesteads, which sits on a ridge astride one of the most scenic sections of Hadrian’s Wall. Alongside the usual barracks, granaries, HQ and commanding officer’s buildings is the most complete example of a Roman latrine anywhere in Britain. If time permits, we will walk along one of the most scenic sections to conjure up an image of this once-mighty Wall.

Having admired Roman engineering and ingenuity all along the Wall, we will end the day at the Roman Army Museum, which depicts Roman army life in a fort on Hadrian’s Wall. Through its artefacts and reconstructions, we will be able to step into the life of a Roman solider and experience life on the front line of Emperor Hadrian’s British frontier.

At this point, we also abandon Hadrian’s Wall and head south towards York and the day’s end.

We will be staying the night at the Hotel Indigo / Dinner and breakfast included

Overnight Location: York

Today we will discover the historic city of York. The walled city of York is not only magnificent, but it is certain to bring you back in time. Founded by the Romans, it has a rich history including Viking habitation and one of the worlds most celebrated cathedrals – York Minster.

We will dive right into the history of York today, starting with a visit to some 40K ruins… Oooops! No those are the remains of the St. Mary’s Abbey – but really, every wargamer must take the opportunity to get a selfie with them in the background. After our quick photo op, we will be off to the York Castle Museum (which is set up to look like a medieval town full of living history actors, displays, shops and other marvels) via the City Walls. From our vantage it will be hard not to envision the power the walls would have had throughout history. The walls which continue to encircle the whole still medieval feeling city to this day, would mark York as a place of civilization when first erected in 71 AD, refurbished by Constantine the Great, and then the Danes in 867.

York is the inspiration for many novels and short stories, but no geek can walk the city and not see the shopping district of The Shambles as those found in Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. We are not sure if we will find any flying magical brooms or not, but you will have plenty of time to look around after our visit to the York Minster for a private guided tour. Those wanting to make the tower trip and brave the 275 steps will be encouraged to do so (most likely without your guide (just kidding)).

You will have the rest of the afternoon to visit many of the other super cool stops in York, like the Jorvik Viking Centre, The National Railway Museum (highly recommended), York Brewery or perhaps a pub stop at the House of Trembling Madness… Don’t get too lost in the Shambles/Diagon Alley though, as we will be making our way to the Traveling Man game and comic book store for another night of gaming goodness. Make sure you indulge yourself by picking up something to read for the trip home in this awesome comic and games store. Josh and Teras will again, be right there, leading you on games well into the night.

We will be staying the night at the Hotel Indigo / Breakfast included

Overnight Location: York

Unfortunately, all good things must end and early today we head as a group to Manchester and for home. The memories, miniatures and friendships you made are yours to keep forever!