Lugares de interés (POIs) del Mapa
0: Orc's Nest
Central London's longest-running RPG & wargaming store. Great selection, but no tables in-house.
Jared's Note: Orc's Nest shrink-wrap their books - very frustrating for browsers.
Más sobre Orc's Nest1: Games Workshop
Warhammer and its ilk. The Oxford Street branch is packed, with painting demos and games constantly in progress.
Más sobre Games Workshop2: Games Workshop
This semi-secluded Covent Garden branch of Games Workshop is better for browsing than playing. They only have one demonstration table, but the perpetually chirpy staff are always good for a chat.
Más sobre Games Workshop3: Chess & Bridge
Unusual specialty shop carries a wide variety of tabletop games (not just chess and bridge).
Also good for accessories.
Más sobre Chess & Bridge4: Games & Puzzles
This tiny shop inside Camden Market is packed to the roof (literally) with every imaginable game. Card games, board games & RPGs all squash together.
Browsing can be awkward (not a lot of space), but the selection is surprisingly good.
Más sobre Games & Puzzles5: Dark Sphere
Brand new miniatures shop (formerly a mail order company) near Waterloo Bridge. Specialists in Games Workshop products.
Más sobre Dark Sphere6: The British Library
Amazing collection of rarities on display -from summer 2011 this includes the Out of This World exhibition on science fiction and an appreciation of Mervyn Peake. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/exhibitions/outofthisworld/outofthisworld.html
Más sobre The British Library7: EasterCon 2010 & 2012
The Radisson Edwardian Heathrow is the site of UK's EasterCon - the largest (?) British genre convention.
The location is awkward for Londoners, but it IS on the tube. And a lot closer than Rye. Or Birmingham.
This year, EasterCon is 2-5 April.
http://www.odyssey2010.org/
Más sobre EasterCon 2010 & 20128: Any Amount of Books
Generally, not a lot of genre books in at any time, but a constantly-changing inventory means there's always something new to sift through.
Jared's Note: They get LOTS of proofs in here. And the sales can get ridiculous - whenever there's a stock change, most books get down to £1.
Más sobre Any Amount of Books9: Camden Market
London's most famous counter-cultural street market. Has gone through a bit of a gentrification since a fire a few years ago, but still cluttered with vintage shops, record shops, second-hand bookstores and lots of tasty food.
Más sobre Camden Market10: Cecil Court
This pedestrian lane - right by Leicester Square - is London's center for rare books. Just shy of a dozen shops lurk here.
The genre specialists have individual GeekMap entries, but it is worth doing a browse of all the shops - especially the sale bins outside.
Más sobre Cecil Court11: Forbidden Planet
The geek megastore. Weekly signings from authors, writers, TV stars and cult celebs. Huge selection of books, toys and games.
Jared's Note: Spend time browsing the shelves for signatures - FP has so many signings that even they'll forget which authors have dropped by lately.
Más sobre Forbidden Planet12: Foyles
Enormous, award-winning independent bookstore. Exceptional range of modern and literary fiction. Redid SF section early 2011, and now boasts a huge range of genre fiction.
Jared's Note: If you're looking for collectible (signed / 1st) copies of young adult fiction, this is the place.
Más sobre Foyles13: Goldsboro Books
Cecil Court bookshop with an amazing collection of modern first editions. They specialise in crime, science fiction and fantasy, so be prepared to find signed 1sts of the latest hot titles. Goldsboro also publish their own limited, numbered editions... http://www.goldsborobooks.com/
Más sobre Goldsboro Books14: Portobello Road
London's legendary antique market. It isn't quite as charming (or as cheap) as it was a decade ago, but there are still treasures to be found.
GO EARLY. By 10 or 11 am, it becomes almost too crowded to breathe.
Más sobre Portobello Road15: Bookseller Crow On The Hill
"Shabby but wonderful" says one glowing review. Listed no. 6 in The 50 Best bookshops in The Independent newspaper
"Lovely independent shop, which hosts author events. Comic friendly too!" - Gary Northfield
Más sobre Bookseller Crow On The Hill16: Spitalfields Market
This covered market is packed with vendors. The theme changes every day, so check the calendar before going. It is particularly famous for music (vinyl) and antiques (everything from books to toys to random bits and bobs).
http://www.visitspitalfields.com/stalls/antiques.html
Más sobre Spitalfields Market17: Blackwells Bookshop Charing Cross
Enormous bookshop - more known for its academic heritage (and great for more esoteric historical and cultural stuff) - recently started pushing its geekier materials as well. New comics, SF and childrens sections.
Also the home to many of The Kitschies' events, bless 'em for putting up with us.
Más sobre Blackwells Bookshop Charing Cross19: MCM Expo
The massive MCM Expo is held twice a year in this modern conference venue.
Good transportation links - and you can always follow the folks in cosplay gear once you leave the station. Also good eating & drinking on-site.
The best-kept non-secret of the convention? The Fox pub, right outside the entrance. The over-21's policy is restrictive to some... and a boon for others. Hide there for a quick drink and some crowd avoidance.
http://www.londonexpo.com/
Más sobre MCM Expo20: National Collector's Marketplace
Largest regular marketplace for comic book & trading card collectors in the UK.
Appear on an irregular basis - best option is to register at www.comicmart.co.uk
If you're looking for back issues, then this is the place for you. Catering for collectors who want to buy tatty copies of 90s X-Men for 25p
Más sobre National Collector's Marketplace22: NoBrow Comics
Exceptional small press comic publisher. The shop includes a gallery, rarities, signed editions and lots of lovely artwork. Great gifts...
Más sobre NoBrow Comics23: Orbital Comics
Orbital have come a long way since their humble beginnings in a damp basement on Old Compton Street. They've retained the old school back issue specialist vibe which made them a welcome addition to the capital's comic scene, but the owners have refused to stand still, and the shop is now recognised as one of the country's leading comic stores.
They've moved twice since the Soho days, although they took a bit of a knock with the closure of their manga only shop, they quickly consolidated and now seem to have put down roots on Great Newport Street.
Boasting a huge number of back issues, all the usual monthlies, a good number of indie titles and a small but excellent manga section, the new Orbital is a fine shop. What really makes them stand out from the competition though are the bolt-ons! At the back of the shop is a small gallery space which regularly exhibits art by top creators. And, just off the indie section is another alcove where film enthusiasts can gawp at and buy rare movie posters and hard-to-find memorabilia.
A top shop, well worth a look.
Más sobre Orbital Comics25: Music & Comic Exchange
Enormous second-hand store right by the tube station. Huge selection of second-hand comics and a cluttered (but fun) assortment of vintage sci-fi and fantasy.
If you're going to Portobello Road, make time (and lots of it) to swing by here as well.
Más sobre Music & Comic Exchange26: Gosh Comics
Recently re-located to their new Berwick Street location, Gosh comics has now been in business since the early 1980s and remains one of the best comic shops in the capital.
You'll find all your weekly super-hero comics here as well as a comprehensive selection of trade paperbacks. Venture further into the shop though, and you'll also discover an excellent selection of classic illustrated children's books, a fine manga section, a decent number of art and design books and an excellent independent section.
A quality shop. Clean, bright and staffed by friendly, knowledgeable comics fans, Gosh comes highly recommended.
Más sobre Gosh Comics28: Lazarides Gallery
Edgy art gallery with a fine collection of graffiti art.
Jared's Note: The collection of works from the French artist Invader is a must-see.
Más sobre Lazarides Gallery30: Pollock's Toy Museum
Pollock's will keep you entertained for hours with their collections of action figures, board games and other wonderful toys.
Más sobre Pollock's Toy Museum31: Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A has a lot of explicitly geek materials on display - including an amazing collection of prints and books and a selection of lethal Japanese weaponry that'll convert you into a manga fan on sight. (Try and seek out the legendary squid-blade, a sword with an octopodical scabbard and a lobster for a hilt).
Más sobre Victoria and Albert Museum33: PlayLounge
Designer toys for kids of all ages.
"Awesome vinyl toys and other geeky collectibles." - Gary Northfield
Más sobre PlayLounge34: Freemasons Hall
Enormous center of London's Masonic activity. Includes a library (bring a student ID) and museum.
Más sobre Freemasons Hall37: Treadwell's
Specialists in the occult & esoteric. Frequently host lectures, readings and signings on all aspects of the occult.
Jared's note: Oddly good selection of mid-century fiction as well.
Más sobre Treadwell's