Not sure if this has been asked before but....
What are the best wargaming shows to attend in people's opinion? I know that's like asking how long is a piece of string...
I guess I could ask what makes a good wargames show and thus what the best ones are according to that criteria
Thoughts?
In fact I could ask it thus:
Best wargaming shows overall but split into
Best show for competitions
Best show for traders
Best show for ease of attendance/transport links
Best shows for participation games
Best shows for friendliness/inclusiveness
Of the ones I have been to, I would say
Best show for competitions - Britcon. Essentially a mass of competitions with some trade stands tacked on.
Best show for traders - SALUTE. Masses of them, but it can be a bit frenetic.
Best show for ease of attendance/transport links - SALUTE again and not just because I live in London. The DLR delivers you there and takes you away when you've had enough. Also the Warlords seem to have got the queuing/admission arrangements down to a fine art.
Best shows for participation games - Hammerhead. Almost entirely participation.
Best shows for friendliness/inclusiveness - A difficult choice, but probably Hammerhead again.
That said, it's a small field, made smaller by excluding the shows that have dropped away. It's years since my one visit to Warfare; I've never been to Colours or Partizan; and next month will be my first time at Attack.
I might see you at Attack with a favorable wind....
Stupid question. It's Colours, of course, 6th September.
Denis has obviously led a very sheltered life when it comes to wargaming shows if he has never visited Colours.
8)
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jun 19, 2025, 10:18 AM.......
Denis has obviously led a very sheltered life when it comes to wargaming shows if he has never visited Colours.
8)
Must be my shy and retiring nature, Nick.
What about Colours....any good? 8)
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Jun 18, 2025, 03:14 PMI might see you at Attack with a favorable wind....
So, let me get this straight, you are thinking of sailing to Devizes from Wales, emulating the ancients who carried the bluestones from Wales to Stonehenge? The wind may carry you to Bristol but from there its shankses pony, narrow boats or buses.
I suspect Dave refers to his intention to arrive by micro-light aircraft.
I may need assistance of an organisational kind
Ie too much to do and getting a pass for a day may require byzantine diplomacy
Although to the best of my knowledge it no longer runs, I always enjoyed the Triathlon competition hosted by Milton Keynes Wargames. This event involved turning up late Friday afternoon and playing continuously until around 4:00 pm on Sunday. Each team had 4 members. Each round involved 3 guys playing an opponent with armies drawn from the WRG books 1-3 while the fourth team member would sleep, eat, etc.
Unsurprisingly, there were no trade stands or other distractions.
Debate continues as to whether competitors ended up more wrecked than during more conventional, physical triathlon events. All I can say is that of all the trophies on my mantelpiece, this one is the most valued.
:D
Sounds delightful ;D
I wonder if Nick might be dropping hints that he thinks Colours is by far the best show? 8)
Hard to tell...
At Newbury it's a bit far south for me I'm afraid. Hopefully we're doing Phalanx this year 8)
14 replies. No one has posted the correct answer yet. So I will: "the next one".
Very good... ;D
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jun 19, 2025, 06:08 PMAt Newbury it's a bit far south for me I'm afraid. Hopefully we're doing Phalanx this year 8)
This reminds me of when I was automating the Heinz baked bean factory in Wigan - some of the guys there reckoned the foreigners started just south of Manchester!
(Incidentally, for those who may not be familiar with the Phalanx show, this takes place annually in St Helens, due west of Manchester.)
:P
Quote from: Ian61 on Jun 19, 2025, 04:48 PMI wonder if Nick might be dropping hints that he thinks Colours is by far the best show? 8)
Perchance he is in Command at Colours?
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jun 20, 2025, 08:11 AMThis reminds me of when I was automating the Heinz baked bean factory in Wigan
;D
I recall a conversation when I came to uni in Bradford with my friend Mike. He came from Totton, near Southampton. He was asked if he'd ever been to the North before he came away to uni. "Oh yes" he replied "I've been to Oxford".
(For overseas members, England has a pronounced North/South divide. What no one seem to agree is where the boundary is.)
Quote from: Keraunos on Jun 20, 2025, 08:41 AMQuote from: Ian61 on Jun 19, 2025, 04:48 PMI wonder if Nick might be dropping hints that he thinks Colours is by far the best show? 8)
Perchance he is in Command at Colours?
That's me! This not only makes it the best organised, but at £5 entry, one of the best value shows in the south of England. See further details on traders, etc, in separate topics on this Forum board.
:D
Much cheapness to be fair....
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jun 20, 2025, 08:11 AMThis reminds me of when I was automating the Heinz baked bean factory in Wigan . . .
There are times when I wish I could begin an anecdote with such as this. In fact, I feel that none of my anecdotes are going to be complete without it. :)
Quote from: Nick Harbud on Jun 20, 2025, 08:11 AMQuote from: Jim Webster on Jun 19, 2025, 06:08 PMAt Newbury it's a bit far south for me I'm afraid. Hopefully we're doing Phalanx this year 8)
This reminds me of when I was automating the Heinz baked bean factory in Wigan - some of the guys there reckoned the foreigners started just south of Manchester!
(Incidentally, for those who may not be familiar with the Phalanx show, this takes place annually in St Helens, due west of Manchester.)
:P
Takes us about 2hrs to get to Phalanx. Colours is over five hours away (over seven hours by public transport)
24 by horse and cart..
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Jun 20, 2025, 03:15 PM24 by horse and cart..
According to google maps, walking is 95 hours, but is of course non stop. I Suspect that depending on the nature of the horse, the cart, and the load, you'd be better leaving a week ;)
;D
Agreed. A quick Google suggests that a post coach (much more high speed than a horse and cart) could do the London Edinburgh run in 42 hours. This involved almost constant travel, stopping only for comfort and to change horses. Speeds got up to a dizzying 12 mph :o according to some, only 9mph according to others. Jim would need to execute at least one change, as there would be no direct through route.
Quote from: Erpingham on Jun 20, 2025, 05:37 PMAgreed. A quick Google suggests that a post coach (much more high speed than a horse and cart) could do the London Edinburgh run in 42 hours. This involved almost constant travel, stopping only for comfort and to change horses. Speeds got up to a dizzying 12 mph :o according to some, only 9mph according to others. Jim would need to execute at least one change, as there would be no direct through route.
Along the west coast it was often commoner to travel by boat/steamer even into the Victorian era.
Doesn't help a lot with Newbury though to be fair ;)
Simply change at Bristol and complete the journey via the Kennet and Avon Canal, although you might want to change boats at Devizes in order to avoid the 29 locks there.
;D
Well since 2025 is all but behind us...time to look to 2026 for shows I would like to attend
I may get to 3 or 4 so its all about the best 'bang for buck' so to speak.
I must compile a list
Carronade in Falkirk is the best show in Scotland
Quote from: Dave Knight on Dec 06, 2025, 07:36 PMCarronade in Falkirk is the best show in Scotland
Would love to but Even with my senior rail card that would be £184.60 travelling off peak with changes. Given I have been on train for a month of daily commutes recently and stood for the whole of perhaps a third of those journeys not something I would enjoy. :-[ Perhaps I should take Nick's advice and investigate the canal system and take it a bit slower. ???
Wouldn't it be great if there was a high speed rail link from Scotland down to somewhere like Birmingham which is close to the geographical centre of the island.??? Just asking!
Stupidly enough if you don't mind getting the late/early stuff a flight is way cheaper than the train
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Dec 07, 2025, 09:31 AMStupidly enough if you don't mind getting the late/early stuff a flight is way cheaper than the train
Depends on the length of your train journey to the airport ;)
Quote from: Jim Webster on Dec 07, 2025, 11:20 AMQuote from: Imperial Dave on Dec 07, 2025, 09:31 AMStupidly enough if you don't mind getting the late/early stuff a flight is way cheaper than the train
Depends on the length of your train journey to the airport ;)
Indeed the travel both ends will add considerably. Despite the above cynicism I am keen to get up to Scotland and the isles above more. Whether I can build in a Wargames show into the itinerary is another matter.
Quote from: Ian61 on Dec 07, 2025, 11:56 AMndeed the travel both ends will add considerably. Despite the above cynicism I am keen to get up to Scotland and the isles above more. Whether I can build in a Wargames show into the itinerary is another matter.
Circumstances have dictated a later dare for Carronade in 2026, Saturday June 6th. A great time of year for a holiday in Scotland with very long days and at least the chance of some decent weather. If you do come stop for a chat at the Test of Resolve stand
From the earlier comments, it seems like for some, the real Test of Resolve is just working out how to get there affordably!
Anyone been to this show (https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/exhibitors-2025/)?
That looks huge. More generalised than specifically wargaming i guess