Looking for Hobby shops in London, England

Surinam Air 747 · 07-23-2015, 07:04 AM

This question is more directed towards the English members on this forum or the ones that in live in or near the city of London, England.

What are some good Hobby shops both for diecast & plastic models, in Greater London? I prefer the shops were you can just walk into and make your purchases in person..

Thx!

mmarsh · 07-23-2015, 07:33 AM

I live in France, but I am in London on business every few months.

There isn't a lot of choice I'm afraid. The only place I know for certain in Central London is Hamleys in Oxford Circus. (There is another shop (ModelZone?) that's in outer London, but I've never been).

Hamleys has a small collection of stuff, and its mainly British Brands (Corgi and Oxford) but the guy that runs the section is a treasure trove of diecast/model building knowledge.

I picked up a Oxford Hs-123 (1937 Luftwaffe scheme) and a Corgi Beaufort MK.I (Greek Campaign) last month. I nearly took an Avro Ansen as well.

Mind you, the selection isn't enormous so be prepared.

Jeff H · 07-23-2015, 07:45 AM

Actually - the London Transport Museum gift shop has a decent selection of Diecast up on the top level. 1:200 and 1:400 - and more than just Gemini.

stevec · 07-23-2015, 08:05 AM

Hi Surinam Air 747, the only actual aircraft model shops in the London area, would be ARD Aviation Retail Direct there's one main shop in Uxbridge, and the
other one is on the Heathrow Airport perimeter road in the ID & training centre, unfortunately "Model Zone" has closed down.

Surinam Air 747 · 07-23-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevec

Hi Surinam Air 747, the only actual aircraft model shops in the London area, would be ARD Aviation Retail Direct there's one main shop in Uxbridge, and the
other one is on the Heathrow Airport perimeter road in the ID & training centre, unfortunately "Model Zone" has closed down.

Thx Steve, I will fly into Heathrow airport so I might have to search the area around the airport for one but I'm also looking to go directly to the ARD shop..

Surinam Air 747 · 07-23-2015, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarsh

I live in France, but I am in London on business every few months.

There isn't a lot of choice I'm afraid. The only place I know for certain in Central London is Hamleys in Oxford Circus. (There is another shop (ModelZone?) that's in outer London, but I've never been).

Hamleys has a small collection of stuff, and its mainly British Brands (Corgi and Oxford) but the guy that runs the section is a treasure trove of diecast/model building knowledge.

I picked up a Oxford Hs-123 (1937 Luftwaffe scheme) and a Corgi Beaufort MK.I (Greek Campaign) last month. I nearly took an Avro Ansen as well.

Mind you, the selection isn't enormous so be prepared.

Thx for all the info., I might have to write all this down, the names of shops & places, might give them all a try when in London..

Surinam Air 747 · 07-23-2015, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff H

Actually - the London Transport Museum gift shop has a decent selection of Diecast up on the top level. 1:200 and 1:400 - and more than just Gemini.

I will have to check it out as well, Thanks!

Jeff H · 07-24-2015, 06:39 AM

You are heading to one of my favorite cities on the planet - so I am jealous! If you have time - visit the Museum itself. And if you are a beer/food guy - head to Picadilly Circus - and visit Mother Mash (for amazing gourmet Bangers and Mash) and then down the Street to the Shaston Arms (for a pint or two of Badger/Fursty Ferrett)

P.S. Last time I was there in June - the Museum gift shop still had a Hogan Concorde.

geeforce9 · 07-24-2015, 08:29 AM

Getting to ARD Hillingdon is not too bad by train, you head to Hillingdon tube station on the Picadilly/Metropolitan line. This it is easy from both Central London and Heathrow. Once you get out of the station, head south. You cross the main road (Freezeland way) and follow Long Lane, the main road south until you get to Sutton Court Way (on your left as you head south). The store is located on the row of shops just as you come off the main road, easy to see, window is full of model airplanes!
The only issue is carrying your purchases, especially if you are buying more than a couple of wide bodies! Then again I guess if you are flying, you will have limited space anyways. A lot of stock arrives in ARD in the next few days/weeks, so there is plenty to look at...I'm headed down tomorrow myself!
Enjoy your stay in London!

Roarer · 07-24-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surinam Air 747

Thx Steve, I will fly into Heathrow airport so I might have to search the area around the airport for one but I'm also looking to go directly to the ARD shop..

The shop is just off Bath Road, it is to the north of the airport and is also amongst the Hotels and other buildings next to the runway, but, despite this, it isn't immediately obvious as it is down the side/behind other places, so you will need to search a little for it.

Here is a helpful link:

http://www.aviationretaildirect.com/heathrow-shop-info/

CAM was also on Bath Road in one of the hotels (the Sheraton I think) before it closed.

Roarer · 07-24-2015, 02:07 PM

Oh, and look out for the large EK A380 model at the nearby roundabout next to the road tunnel to the airport.

It used to be a model of a BA Concorde, so it being replaced by an Emirates A380 upset a few at the time, but, the Concorde is now preserved at Brooklands alongside the real thing in the shape of 'Delta Golf' which carries Negus livery.

mmarsh · 07-24-2015, 02:39 PM

Surinam Air 747

I neglected to mention, I was referring to MILITARY DIECAST AIRCRAFT. I don't remember if the have civilian airliners. I think so, because I know they have diecast automobiles but I can't swear to it.

Jeff H

Do they do military diecast as well or just civilian? I will guess its just civilian, but its worth to ask.

Roarer · 07-24-2015, 03:02 PM

ARD is probably your best bet anyway, and they sell both commercial and military aircraft too.

http://www.aviationretaildirect.com

Adrian · 07-24-2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevec

Hi Surinam Air 747, the only actual aircraft model shops in the London area, would be ARD Aviation Retail Direct there's one main shop in Uxbridge, and the
other one is on the Heathrow Airport perimeter road in the ID & training centre, unfortunately "Model Zone" has closed down.

I always thought the ARD shop was in Hillingdon, not Uxbridge?

Roarer · 07-25-2015, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian

I always thought the ARD shop was in Hillingdon, not Uxbridge?

That is what I thought as well. Admittedly, if you get the tube, then the train goes to/from Uxbridge, which is, what.... The next stop or something? So it is close anyway.

Surinam Air 747 · 07-25-2015, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian

I always thought the ARD shop was in Hillingdon, not Uxbridge?

Hillington or Uxbridge doesn't tell me much but if you guys say that the ARD shop is located in Uxbridge, then I will look in that neighborhood for it once in London... Thx you guys for all the info..

robertjon5 · 07-25-2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surinam Air 747

Hillington or Uxbridge doesn't tell me much but if you guys say that the ARD shop is located in Uxbridge, then I will look in that neighborhood for it once in London... Thx you guys for all the info..

its in HILLINGDON!!!! (my father-in-law lives a few hundred yards away, and I PASS the shop!!)

10 Sutton Court Road
Hillingdon
Middlesex
UB10 9HP

Surinam Air 747 · 07-25-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertjon5

its in HILLINGDON!!!! (my father-in-law lives a few hundred yards away, and I PASS the shop!!)

10 Sutton Court Road
Hillingdon
Middlesex
UB10 9HP

Thx for your correction Sir Robert, you are right the ARD shop is indeed located in Hillington...

Surinam Air 747 · 07-25-2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeforce9

Getting to ARD Hillingdon is not too bad by train, you head to Hillingdon tube station on the Picadilly/Metropolitan line. This it is easy from both Central London and Heathrow. Once you get out of the station, head south. You cross the main road (Freezeland way) and follow Long Lane, the main road south until you get to Sutton Court Way (on your left as you head south). The store is located on the row of shops just as you come off the main road, easy to see, window is full of model airplanes!
The only issue is carrying your purchases, especially if you are buying more than a couple of wide bodies! Then again I guess if you are flying, you will have limited space anyways. A lot of stock arrives in ARD in the next few days/weeks, so there is plenty to look at...I'm headed down tomorrow myself!
Enjoy your stay in London!

Yes Andy I think I will indeed have a wonderful time in London & England... I've been to Paris, Berlin, & Holland but never ever to London, England, so I'm very excited to see for myself what a wonderful culture the English have and of course what food cosine they have as well..

Adrian · 07-25-2015, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surinam Air 747

Thx for your correction Sir Robert, you are right the ARD shop is indeed located in Hillington...

That's Hillingdon. If you are arriving at Heathrow, then one way getting there is to take a red London double-decker bus from the Heathrow Central bus station. You need bus 'U4' (to Uxbridge) and then change to 'U2'. If you want to try that, send me a pm and I'll tell you exactly where to get on and off.

Surinam Air 747 · 07-31-2015, 06:33 AM

One more thing, do the English only take the British Pond as payment or do they also take other forms as payment, such as Euros & U.S Dollars?

B787@YVR · 07-31-2015, 09:14 PM

They will only take the British Pound! ££££££££

Surinam Air 747 · 08-04-2015, 12:40 PM

Thx everyone for the feedback but I'm gone to England...