Warhammer World

{mosimage}Warhammer World: to some it may be familiar as the Nottingham headquarters of Games Workshop, creators of the popular tabletop war games Warhammer (a fantasy based game), Warhammer 40k (a variant set in the FAR future), and Lord of The Rings (a game that allows players to reenact battles from Tolkein’s famous trilogy).

As a destination Warhammer World has something of interest for everyone, containing an authentic Dwarven bar (complete with severed Ork head), where food and drinks are served from an adjoining buffet. Adjacent to this is the gaming room, where masses of superbly furnished tables are laid out for the actual playing of the game. Even for one not acquainted with the hobby, this room can prove to be interesting simply for the unique architecture; the interior is decorated as a mediaeval keep, complete with ruined archways. This is also the room where most of the activity goes on, with dozens of players making use of the unparalleled facilities to show off their armies.

Adjacent to this gaming room is the store. The store is roughly the size of a normal Warhammer store, with three crucial differences: one, this shop is far better stocked than any other. Two, there are alcoves in the walls of the store, each containing fabulously painted models and Warhammer paraphernalia, and in one case, an “authentic” alien skull. Three, around the store there are catalogues, containing lists of models that ordinarily can only bought online from Forge World, a Warhammer subsidiary that specializes in making huge and incredibly detailed models, these models can be ordered from the counter in the store, and an order that would take several days online is delivered to you in 30 minutes.

Above this is the Museum, a rather arid room, containing fabulously painted and detailed models and dioramas in illuminated glass cases . The display downstairs seems inconsequential in comparison; these models may seem frivolous, but once this level is reached, they really are works of art; the museum is a must-see, if you can stand the heat.

Whether you are a Warhammer novice or a veteran of many bloody battles, or even just a parent looking for something to keep your teenager off the streets and off the computer, Warhammer World is worth a visit, and with your superior airborne methods of translocation, you can navigate there easily, and giggle at the thought of traffic jams.