Warhammer World
Willow Road, Lenton, Nottingham, NG7 2WS. UK
Visited June 2025
First off a disclaimer.
I really hope that Games Workshop management ( if they should ever see this article ) don't mind me putting it up.
I realise that a lot of people around the world will never be lucky enough to get the chance to visit Warhammer World, so for them, this and Part 2, will give a flavour of what there is to see.
And there's a lot, much, much more than I could fit in an article here, so if you do visit, please do take the opportunity to look around the museum, it's the only thing that you have to pay for unless you're buying goods in the shop or entering a competition...... or having something to eat or drink in Bugman's bar.
I consider myself pretty lucky, because for me, it’s a two hour drive each way to get to this shrine to all things Warhammer, the site being a home to the Head Office for Games Workshop, the main production facility and a flagship shop, gaming hall and a superb museum. All these wrapped into one large facility, the shop, gaming hall and museum being open to the public seven days a week.
Let’s begin with the car park, virtually full most of the time, but a company across the road is kind enough to lend GW some space at weekends for any overflow – thoughtful, because there’s a lot of double yellow lines on the surrounding roads.
Once parked up though you’re greeted by a twice life-sized Space Marine fashioned after the designs from the early 2000’s and a life-sized Rhino assault tank with a brass schematic information plate to accompany it.
Having seen these two, it’s off into the entrance foyer at ground level where you can purchase tickets for the museum, or have a look at some classic models from the 1980’s and a couple of large dioramas. There’s quite a few books, fridge magnets, bottle openers and posters for sale in this area too, not to mention another very large Marine statue, and if you’re not interested in the museum displays ( Really ! You’re kidding ! ) then entry is completely free to look round the shop and Gaming hall upstairs.
Accessed either by a lift or up a wide stairway, the walk up which is surrounded by huge banners depicting various characters from the Warhammer / Warhammer 40K universe.
The shop itself is extensive with glass cabinets holding painted examples of models, with the latest releases in one section, some “exclusive” pieces only available from Warhammer World in another and then a lot of cabinets with painted armies in them, some few with bare resin castings ( These are the Forgeworld kits ) and also an area to try your hand at painting a model – free if it’s your first time.
Shelves and shelves of boxes of kits for you to buy are lining the walls and a small island section, and here is where I mention that I’ve asked to see a manager twice in the last two years.
Why ? Was there a problem ?
NO, quite the opposite. It was to compliment their staff on how helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable they were.
So, the shop’s a good place to visit.
Now whilst I’m not a gamer – I possess all the tactical awareness of the average houseplant – it is worth a couple of shots of the Gaming Hall, simply because it’s there.
I have, in the past, witnessed Helms Deep and the City of Minas Tirith modelled for 28mm figures in this area, although now it’s mainly an area for people to come and compete in the various game setting that Warhammer enthusiasts love.
It’s always well populated, and again there is an energy and enthusiasm, not to mention a n occasional burst of laughter, so I’d say people are enjoying themselves no matter how little I understand the rules of what they’re playing.
The Museum
Yes, this is probably the bit you’re most interested in if you can’t get to Nottingham to visit Warhammer World, and I’ll offer a selection of photos to give you a flavour of what can be seen.
Museum Foyer
Hall one is accessed by a small foyer with models from the early days of Citadel and the emergent Games Workshop, some early Marines from the Rogue Trooper game system, along with examples of the original Warhammer game too.
Makes me feel old to admit I’ve got some of these in my collection ,still – to my shame -with no paint on. However it is also fun to say “I’ve got one of those somewhere” when pointing at particular miniatures.
From this foyer is a flight of steps and a large wood plaque naming all the winners of the Golden Demon painting contest and the recipients of the Slayer Sword from back when it started in 1987 ( Yes I was there back then too )
Up another flight of steps and doors at their head allow access to the first hall of the museum.
Hall One
Although there is a mix of subjects occupying this hall, it is mainly focussed on Warhammer Fantasy Battle dioramas and figures.
Some cabinets feature individual models, formed into armies or squads, and then other cabinets feature huge dioramas with hundreds of figures and monsters occupying scenic settings.
The single figures are painted to a high standard, and the dioramas certainly seem to match them for painting skill, but the sheer number of models in each of the dios is a little mind-blowing, not to mention the work and imagination that has gone into producing the scenery.
There are also examples of the older game modules and rule books along with the figures that went with them, just to remind the older gamer of what they played in the years gone by.
So lets have some pictures of just a few of the displays in this hall, then I'll move on to Hall's 2, 3 and 4 ( in the next update ).
Hall Two
Moving into this area of the museum, the focus is on Warhammer 40K, the different miniatures and vehicles that are available, and in some cases, are out of production, and again the use of cabinets to display separate miniatures and AFV’s is used alongside more huge dioramas.
The visitor will I’m sure marvel at the scale of some of the dioramas, and again just how many miniatures populate them.
Hall Three
Now for the ultimate showpiece - a portion of a city under attack by the forces of Chaos whilst the soldiers of the Emperor of Man struggle to defend its spires and buildings.
Music, changing coloured lighting and the sounds of battle assault the ear and eyes, along with the sheer scale of the display.
Towering around twelve feet from it’s foundations, there are around ten thousand figures on the diorama, spanning sizes from Space Marine figures, large Demons, Assault pods and on to Tanks and Titans.
All assembles and painted over a period of nine months by a small team of GW employees, and quite memorable for a newcomer to behold.
To be honest I can easily spend half an hour or more viewing this diorama, and I must have seen it more than half a dozen times over the years.
There’s a walkway stepping gradually down around the walls of this hall, so that the visitor can look at the display from every side as they work their way around it.
There are a couple of full sized Space Marine weapons displayed on the walls, along with a Marine Helmet on a stand and another display case at the bottom of the hall with more single models in it.
Obviously one or two of these shots are in less than ideal lighting conditions, as the colour of the coloured bulbs swap over in a constantly changing sequence.
So whilst one or two of these pictures look a little blurred or dark, I felt that posting them on here was needed to give a feel for what the different lighting offers.
The Chain Sword and Marine Helmet are around life sized, and are brilliant renditions of the 28mm miniatures that have been around for such a long time, not only do they give an idea of size of the "real" thing, but seem to possess a weight that the onlooker can almost feel.
At the bottom of the staircase is a long cabinet with yet more miniatures in, the scorpion-like model here - a Forgeworld offering from a while back - is just one of the pieces on view there, all of which are really well painted.
I thought I'd split this article, so the rest of the visit will be viewed in Part 2.