Or: How My Partner Planned a Trip to the Plastic Pilgrimage
It all started with her question:
“Where do you want to go for your birthday? We could either do Bolivia or London for a weekend…”
Now, Bolivia is great and all, but for a weekend? That’s jet lag with a side of altitude sickness… also, not enough time! So I picked London. Instantly—I was already plotting a day trip to Warhammer World.
I’d been there once before, back in 2018 while in the UK for a wedding. But the call of the grimdark never truly fades. I had to go back.
My partner (a logistical wizard and professional enabler of nerdy dreams) booked the flights and hotel. Not only did she join me in London, but she also agreed to the journey to Nottingham. The deal? We’d also visit Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock, and Bath—a respectable amount of British culture to offset the incoming wave of miniatures and plastic.
We arrived at King’s Cross Station and caught the 7:35 train to Grantham (and no, not Platform 9¾), then transferred to Nottingham. After that, the tram to Toton Lane brought us gloriously close to Warhammer HQ. Cue the internal fanfare music.
“You’re really not that tall, Titus”
I was giddy. Think “kid in a candy store” levels of excitement—if the candy store was full of bolters, skulls, and overpriced resin. I couldn’t wait to see the entrance, the exhibitions, and all the little plastic murdermen. The giant Lieutenant (pronounced left-tenant) Titus was there to greet us in his striking pose, in all his might and power armor.
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Bugman’s Bar & Unexpected Nerd Energy
We wandered through the store briefly, but hunger and curiosity dragged us to Bugman’s Bar.
And here’s the thing: she won’t admit it, but my partner absolutely started nerding out over the Lord of the Rings kits. She casually dropped words like Uruk-hai, Treebeard, Thorin Oakenshield, and Théoden like she hadn’t just unlocked an achievement in closeted nerdery.
It was breakfast time, so we went full thematic:
• English breakfast
• A latte
• And, naturally, a pint of Bolt Gun Pale Ale—because Warhammer 40K.
On the way to Bugman’s, she was surprised at how many people were playing that day. A doubles event was in full swing at the Events Hall, and the tables were alive with dice, shouting, and tactical regrets.
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Into the Exhibitions
Post-pint, we headed into the exhibitions.
We started with the Fantasy Exhibit, which included:
• The Old World
• Age of Sigmar
• Middle Earth
Eventually, we landed in the world of grimdark sci-fi. The next room focused on Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40K. Feeling the protection of the Emperor, we pressed on.
The third exhibit had us hunting for an assassin in the Battle of Angelus Prime diorama. We spent a solid 15–20 minutes scouring the battlefield, convinced we’d find the sneaky little bugger.
We did not.
The last exhibition showcased Xenos in 40K, as well as smaller games—tons of Necromunda gangs and hanger-ons in the underhive.
I loved it. I’ve been neck-deep in Necromunda lately, so seeing all the details and creativity was genuinely inspiring (and maybe just a little wallet-threatening).
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The Grand Finale: The Shop
Then came the grand finale: shopping.
My goal was simple:
• Grab kits I can’t easily find in New York
• Snag anything that might be cheaper here
• Attempt self-control
“Add another £15 plus another…”
I was doing my best to restrain myself… but then my partner swooped in and gifted me a Skarbrand.
Happy birthday to me.
Here’s a quick shot of the haul. I was convinced it wouldn’t all fit in my carry-on, but by some miracle (and a small act of Tetris wizardry), it did.
Adding to the pile of potential!
Thank you Tetris.
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Final Thoughts at 30,000 Feet
Now, as I write this on the plane back—full of joy and slightly too much English breakfast—I’m just so grateful.
Not only for the chance to return after seven years, but for being able to share a part of this weird and wonderful hobby with someone I love. She was willing to nerd out, trek to Nottingham, and haul around a Chaos demon in her bag.
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Stay Tuned…
More updates soon as I begin painting through this glorious, intimidating, dangerously toppling pile of potential.
Alejominis 