Prepare to embark on an epic journey into the fantastical realms of Warhammer World, a haven for gaming and miniature geeks in England. Located in Nottingham, this immersive destination beckons with its awe-inspiring displays, intricate miniatures, rentable gaming space, and captivating exhibitions. As avid gamers, my husband and I couldn't wait to delve into the rich lore of Warhammer, explore this iconic building, and witness the craftsmanship behind its intricate creations. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or simply curious, Warhammer World promises an unforgettable adventure that will ignite your imagination and leave you spellbound.
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Hours, Amenities, & Parking
Warhammer World is incredibly welcoming to visitors, offering flexible hours to accommodate varying schedules. Typically open from 10:00am - 6:00pm, guests can explore its wonders at their leisure.
The facility is also open later on Thursdays and Fridays, allowing guests to enjoy even more gaming time! On these days, they don't close until 10:00pm.
Notably, Warhammer World occasionally holds large events on Saturdays. When this happens, all gaming and shopping facilities remain open until 8:00pm; the on-site café is open until 10:00pm.
Parking is free and plentiful! Accessible spaces are also available near the entrance.
While Warhammer World is free to enter, they do charge for admission to their exhibition hall.
Adults (18 years and older): £7.50
Child (12-17 years): £5
Child (11 years and under): Free
Family (2 Adult and 4 Child): £20; each additional child: £5
Interested parties (19 years and older) can also pay £24.00 for admission and an exhibition dioramas book.
It is possible to purchase tickets in advance, but this is rarely necessary for general admission. It is recommended, however, that you purchase tickets for special events ahead of time.
Within Warhammer World, amenities abound. You can fuel your adventure with refreshments at the on-site café or empty your coin purse at the expansive retail store. There are also multiple unisex toilets with baby changing stations available throughout.
Various accessibility features also help cater to all guests, making Warhammer World an inclusive destination for enthusiasts of any background. Blue Badges aren't required for parking and service dogs are always welcome.
Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Warhammer World promises an immersive experience filled with excitement and discovery.
What is Warhammer?
Since its launch in the 1980s, the vast and immersive tabletop game universe known as Warhammer has captivated the attention of millions of players worldwide. It provides a deep and vast environment in which players can take part in epic battles, engage in strategic warfare, and delve into complex storylines spanning multiple gaming systems.
At its core, Warhammer is a tabletop miniature wargame where players command armies of fantastical warriors, monsters, and war machines on intricately designed tabletop battlefields. The game is typically played using miniature models representing the various units and characters within each player's army, along with rulebooks and dice to determine outcomes.
Warhammer is renowned for its depth and complexity, offering a multitude of game systems that cater to different preferences and playstyles. The flagship game systems include Warhammer 40,000 (often abbreviated as 40K) and Warhammer Age of Sigmar, each set in its own distinct universe with its own lore, factions, and rules.
In Warhammer 40,000, players are thrust into the grim darkness of the far future, where humanity battles against a myriad of alien threats, heretical cults, and ancient evils. The game combines elements of science fiction and fantasy, featuring futuristic technology, interstellar warfare, and larger-than-life heroes and villains.
On the other hand, Warhammer Age of Sigmar transports players to the Mortal Realms, a fantastical realm of magic, gods, and ancient conflicts. Here, mighty warriors and mythical creatures clash in epic battles for supremacy, with each faction vying for control of the realms and the favor of the gods.
In addition to the main tabletop wargames, the Warhammer universe encompasses a wide range of supplementary products, including novels, video games, board games, and collectible card games, further expanding upon the rich lore and storytelling potential of the franchise.
Overall, Warhammer is more than just a game – it's a vibrant and ever-expanding universe that offers endless opportunities for creativity, strategy, and camaraderie, drawing players into its immersive world and fostering a passionate global community of fans and hobbyists.
What is Warhammer World?
Warhammer World stands as a Mecca for enthusiasts of the Warhammer hobby universe, captivating visitors with its immersive displays, interactive experiences, and rich lore. Located in Nottingham, England, this sprawling complex serves as the official headquarters of Games Workshop, the company behind the iconic Warhammer tabletop games and miniatures. They also hold the license for The Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit tabletop battle game.
At Warhammer World, finely created exhibits featuring breathtaking miniature dioramas, detailed sculptures, and breathtaking war scenarios immerse visitors into the fantasy world of Warhammer. Offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of tales that define the Warhammer universe, each installation is a monument to the commitment and artistry of the Warhammer community.
Beyond the exhibits, Warhammer World offers a plethora of engaging activities and experiences for visitors of all ages and interests. From interactive gaming tables where enthusiasts can test their strategic prowess to painting workshops where aspiring artists can hone their skills, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Attractions
Gaming Hall
Warhammer World's gaming hall offers an unparalleled gaming experience. With its expansive layout and atmospheric ambiance, the space sets the stage for epic battles and immersive storytelling. Boasting a vast array of gaming tables, terrain features, and thematic setups, it provides the perfect backdrop for players to command their armies and engage in strategic warfare. Whether you're seeking competitive tournaments, casual gaming sessions, or collaborative campaigns, this gaming hall caters to all preferences and skill levels, fostering a vibrant community of gamers united by their love for Warhammer.
Throughout the year, Warhammer World also uses this space to host special events and competitions, drawing fans of the hobby from all around the world. These activities provide a chance to network with other hobbyists who enjoy everything Warhammer, from painting to gaming tournaments.
Exhibition Center
Warhammer World's Exhibition Center stands as a testament to the rich and immersive universe crafted by Games Workshop. This captivating space offers visitors a glimpse into the fantastical realms of Warhammer through an array of meticulously crafted displays, interactive exhibits, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Upon entering the Exhibition Center, visitors are greeted by an awe-inspiring display of towering sculptures, intricate dioramas, and beautifully painted miniatures. Each exhibit showcases iconic moments, characters, and factions from the Warhammer universe, bringing to life the epic battles and rich narratives that define the hobby.
There are four exhibition areas in total, packed with literally thousands of Citadel and Forge World miniatures painted by highly talented professionals. Guests can also enjoy viewing 27 specially built display boards featuring over 20,000 more miniatures, as well as a range of smaller vignette dioramas.
The Exhibition Center also features the largest display board Games Workshop has ever created - The Battle For Angelus Prime! This truly massive arrangement simply has to be seen to be believed!
The Great Assassin Hunt
Fancy a mini-game? As you gaze upon The Battle of Angelus Prime display, you're welcome to look for one of four specific miniatures among the thousands included.
The first person to find the assassin (which is always in a different location) each day wins a new copy of the figure to build and paint!
Warhammer World & Forge World Stores
The Warhammer World and Forge World stores are veritable gold mines for both amateur gamers and aficionados. These spaces house an extensive array of Warhammer products and accessories, all available for purchase. As the main Games Workshop store, guests will find a wide range of items to suit every facet of the Warhammer hobby.
From the latest miniatures and rulebooks to paints, brushes, and modeling tools, these stores have everything hobbyists need to bring their tabletop battles to life. Whether you're a collector seeking rare and limited edition models or a newcomer looking to start your Warhammer journey, the store offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for enthusiasts of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Apart from the extensive selection of products, the Warhammer World stores offer many services aimed at improving the overall enjoyment of visiting hobbyists. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to offer expert advice and guidance, whether it's helping customers find the perfect miniature for their army or providing painting tips and techniques.
Paint Your First Mini for Free!
Warhammer World also offer the opportunity to build and paint your first Warhammer miniature on-site for free. They have experienced professionals available to guide participants through the process. Check with an attendant for specific details, as the figure must be completed while in the store.
Bugman's Bar
Bugman's Bar at Warhammer World is not just a place to grab a drink – it's a vibrant and immersive experience that brings the Warhammer universe to life. It's really a must-visit destination for fans and hobbyists alike.
Step through the doors of Bugman's Bar and you'll find yourself surrounded by a cozy and welcoming atmosphere inspired by the rich lore of Warhammer. Adorned with thematic decorations, including banners, artifacts, and memorabilia from the Warhammer universe, the bar offers a truly immersive setting where guests can immerse themselves in the world of their favorite tabletop game.
Bugman's Bar is more than just a themed venue, however – it's also a hub of community and camaraderie for Warhammer enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to unwind after a day of gaming, catch up with friends over a pint, or meet fellow hobbyists from around the world, Bugman's Bar provides the perfect backdrop for socializing and making new connections.
Apart from its comfortable ambiance, Bugman's Bar presents an extensive menu of dishes and drinks - some of which draw inspiration from the Warhammer universe. It has plenty to offer everyone, including a large assortment of craft beers, drinks, and substantial pub meals.
My Experience
I have to start this section with an admission...I'm not actually a huge Warhammer fan...
I know! That's crazy, right!? Sadly true, however. While I'm an avid gamer and love miniatures, I've always found Warhammer a little too rich for my wallet. It is, after all, a relatively expensive hobby.
BUT, despite my personal gaming preferences, I was extremely excited to visit Warhammer World - and, honestly, it exceeded all of my expectations!
Coming from Suffolk, England, the facility was easy to find using Google Maps. We arrived shortly after they opened and there was still plenty of parking available.
From the moment we entered the building, I knew this was going to be excellent. The interior was well decorated to suit Warhammer, with neat features incorporated at every turn and hundreds of impeccably painted miniatures on display.
There was a very short line to purchase exhibition tickets. The attendant did, however, mention that we arrived during a bit of a lull. Generally, a little wait at the register is necessary.
While there's certainly a lot to see on the ground level, we decided this area could wait until we were exiting. The primary stores, gaming hall, café, and exhibition are all located upstairs. There are toilets and some limited shopping opportunities near the entrance, however.
Upstairs, we were greeted by a huge store and gaming area. Really, there was so much to see right from the beginning!
We opted, though, to grab a quick bite at Bugman's Bar before truly beginning our explorations.
This is more a restaurant than a café, in my opinion, with a wide variety of food and drinks to choose from. The space is also very large, so we had no trouble finding a place to sit. The prices are also quite reasonable - nothing like a theme park or zoo. We were able to get a light breakfast/brunch for just a few pounds each.
While the food was good, the best part was the space itself! There were so many unique elements that captured the essence of the world Games Workshop has created. Everywhere we looked, there was something else to see!
And the authentic nature of the building didn't stop there! One of my very favorite features was the walls. Not only was the gaming hall designed to look like it was surrounded by castle walls, but there were posters placed throughout the space. On these, I found all sorts of interesting tidbits about the world.
One of the posters, in particular, caught my interest! It was an advertisement for an upcoming event...which had another announcement pasted on top of it declaring the event cancelled...because the main attraction had been eaten!
The attention to detail was truly stunning. Even the water dispenser was on theme!
Although we didn't spend too long in the gaming hall, we did really enjoy seeing the various terrain that was set up. Several games were underway and the tables were full of interesting pieces to look at.
After meandering around for a while, we decided it was time for the main event - the Exhibition Center!
The entrance to the exhibition is near the main register upstairs. The attendant quickly noted our tickets and then we were free to go in.
The first section is relatively small. It contains several glass cabinets filled with well-painted miniatures. While impressive, we soon discovered that this was merely a small taste of what was to come.
We climbed a set of stairs and entered the area dedicated to the Warhammer Age of Sigmar figures. It was filled with even more displays of varying sizes, some of which were huge! And everything was so meticulously painted and placed! The attention to detail was incredible!
I was impressed, but my husband was thoroughly entranced. He could have spent four or five hours wandering around the glass cases and taking pictures.
This area also contained all of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit figures made by Games Workshop. While there were fewer of these displayed, it is a great addition for Tolkien fans (which, we are!). I was particularly impressed with Hobbiton and the battle at Osgiliath.
The next exhibit hall is dedicated entirely to Warhammer 40,000. In fact, the next three rooms were filled with figures and displays from this game.
Pictures don't do them justice, but here are some of my favorites from these sections:
The Exhibition Center also contains the largest display board we have ever seen. The Battle For Angelus Prime is massive, depicting a moment in what appears to be an absolutely epic battle. No kidding - the display takes up fills an entire two-story room!
There are stairs that wrap around the outside of the room, allowing you to view the battle from various angles and heights. It can be a little hard to fully appreciate it all, however, as the room lights are continually changing colors. While this is a neat affect, it does make it hard to focus on specific elements for long.
Although we attempted to find the assassin of the day, it quickly became evident that the task would take far too long for us. It's made even more difficult by the changing lights. In fact, I think this might be way they have the lights set up in this manner.
Once finished with the Exhibition Center, we decided to browse the shop. As mentioned above, Warhammer miniatures can be quite expensive, so we didn't purchase any for ourselves. My brother, however, is a huge fan of Games Workshop so we did buy him one of the newly released role playing game starter sets.
I also really enjoyed looking at all of their Lord of the Rings items. The life-size Lurtz statue was awesome!
Overall, we spent about four hours exploring Warhammer World. Of course, the amount of time needed will depend on your interest level. It would be easy to stay at the location for an entire day, especially if you're planning to eat a full meal and/or utilize the gaming hall. And, as I said, my husband could have spent hours more looking at all of the miniatures on display. We also didn't take advantage of the painting station, which was open and available for use.
Even if you're not a huge Warhammer fan, I do highly recommend visiting this location. Even slightly geeky individuals interested in gaming will enjoy the aesthetic.
Recommendations
Arrive early so you have plenty of time to explore. This may also help you avoid some of the late-afternoon crowd coming to play games after work.
Definitely plan to enter the Exhibition Center! While you can enjoy Warhammer World for free, it is so worth seeing all of the displays at least once!
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. It takes a while to see all of the displays and there aren't any benches in the Exhibition Center. This means you'll be on your feet the entire time, so good shoes are essential. I normally wear these Karrimor Isla Ladies Weathertite shoes, but opted for something a little flashier for this outing. If you liked the shoes I was wearing in the photos, check them out here!
Go into Bugman's Bar, even if you don't plan to eat or drink there. The atmosphere is so incredible. You really shouldn't miss out on experiencing it.
Take advantage of the free miniature and painting instruction offer. Although we didn't have time to try it out, this is a great deal for people interested in picking up the hobby.
Or, if you're like me and find the Warhammer prices a little too steep, consider collecting and painting other miniatures. My brother and I have recently been really into making our own figures using 3D printers! After the initial investment, this is easily one of the cheapest ways to obtain fantastic-looking miniatures for war gaming and role playing games. We both really like the ANYCUBIC brand. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and great for beginners!
Buyers in the United States can buy the same unit here. There's also a great starter set available, which includes several helpful accessories to get started!
Looks really amazing!