hobbyshops in London

[Silverstone]

Hi, everyone. I'm flying to London soon and I need your help. Can you suggest tsome shops, where I can buy car kits (especially rare and with a good choice). I've found a list of shops in the yellow pages, but there are only the name and address and I won't have enough time to visit them all. So, could you advise me some good shops with the address please. Thanks a lot

[cinqster]

There's very little in Central London, in fact I can only think of one shop (and they do mainly diecasts) but worth a visit if you're in the area:

http://www.stmartinsmodelcars.co.uk/Home.htm

[KevHw]

I'm kinda glad this thread came up, considering it's nice to find out about more places to go. That shop cinqster linked is good for vintage cars etc. even though I haven't been in myself, I don't think I saw many 1/24 kits. A lot of diecast, but not so many kits. I could be wrong.

In central London, there aren't so many, but within Greater London, theres a few. It depends where you'll be staying/going. Oh, and it'll be hard to say where would stock rare kits....without completely ignoring the definition of "rare" itself, lol. My "local" is at Holborn, with a pretty good selection of 1/24 kits and a few diecasts and other misc. related stuff too: http://www.modelzone.co.uk/store-london.htm

You might find a few kits in toy stores if you look hard enough, but don't expect any rare or uncommon kits (if you do, tell me!). Last time I went to Hamleys (along Regent Street) they stocked a few kits too, but again, I doubt anything special.

Hope I've helped.

[drunken monkey]

I live in london and my advice is; don't bother.

You're better off buying, like I do, from hlj and hiroboy via internet order.

[Silverstone]

Thank you very much for help. I think I would be able to get outside Central London and moreover, I won;t be staying in the central part) But I've understood that there are not many hobbyshops and try to visit those mentioned above. Thanks again

[drunken monkey]

the problem isn't that there aren't any or that the ones that are there aren't any good, it's just that in pure monetary terms, it's not worth it. Even the one mentioned above (Modelzone) is just a chainstore that mainly deals with die-cast cars but also has a range of model kits that include a selection of cars. In recent times, the car section has also been reduced and as I said, you're better off buying them online because even with shipping, you'd find it cheaper. If you're after old, possibly rare kits, then you're not likely to find them in a place like Modelzone anyway.

I only ever used to buy kits from Modelzone when I can't be bothered to wait for a kit to be delivered.

[KevHw]

It's true that there are more pros than cons for buying online (larger selection of kits & "detail-up parts" and price differences) but as for finding a hobby shop in central London that delivers a decent quality of product/service etc., then personally I haven't found one that's better than Modelzone, even though it's a chain store. I don't necessarily think it specialises in just diecast, because there are equal section for diecast, RC and plastic kits including train sets.

Back almost 10 years now, my hometown had Harrow Modelshop which was one of the best in London for this hobby and others. It's such a shame it's had to close down though. You'd think being such a big city as London, there'd be more .

If you have the time, then there's no harm in checking out the shops mentioned (why else would you be asking ), but if you have your heart set with a particular kit, it's overall probably better to buy it online.

[Porsnatic]

What about Grand Prix models?, do this one is far away from London?

[drunken monkey]

Grand Prix Models is nowhere near London.
The only large independent within the M25 that I know of is Hannants in Colindale (North London).
Never been there myself but their online store shows promise.

[kenyap83]

Well, As for me. I am from Malaysia and I do travel to the United Kingdom at least twice a year. Spending a few tears in the UK. I lived in Central London for a while. Don't bother going to St. Martins unless you are only interested to buy ready made and diecast model. As for Modelzone. Been to afew of their outlets. Again don't bother. Nice place to go and browse but nothing you might wanna to get. As for Hannents. They are still in the Colindale area (North London) but moved next to the RAF musium. They carry mostly aircraft and military. I only go there for tools. I do spend some time in Lincoln too and there is a few model shop there. Not too bad. Then in York which is central north England. I Found one there too. a good one as well.

Like most people here says. You can't really find good ones in London. Better off order it from Hiroboy. Because of these situation with model car availablilty. Hiroboy is doing good business for the UK market as well as internationally.

[Silverstone]

Thanks everyone! I ìó understood that I won't buy anything rare and special in London and will continue buying it from ebay/1999/hlj/hiroboy. But I want just to visit some shops and may be to buy not rare kit or tool. I've got the addresses of ModelZone, Hannants and will look for some more

[generationx]

Interestingly I was in London at the weekend and took my routine visit to ModelZone. Actually bought a Revell Fiat 131 in a less-than-half-price sale but most of their stuff is regular UK (i.e. fairly high) prices. The selection of cars is now pretty good for Tamiya and Revell, with a few Hasegawa thrown in. They also have a fair selection of paints, tools and materials, and the staff seem to be mostly helpful enthusiasts.

I've been to Hannants in Colindale too, very little in the way of car models (fewer than even their website would suggest) as they have another branch elsewhere where I think the bulk of their stock is, lots of nice military stuff though. BUT it is just 2 minutes walk from the fantastic Hendon Air Museum!

St Martin's Models is small with mainly diecast. They used to have a few plastic kits but I think they've moved away from keeping those.

Don't bother with Hamleys ("The Greatest Toy Shop In The World" - ok). The last time I had a look their plastic kits section had all but disappeared and, anyway, they're much more expensive than even ModelZone...

Other than that you're fairly stuck. There used to be a GREAT small shop in Ilford that used to keep an incredibly eclectic cars selection in all scales, long gone now unfortunately, and there's another, small, Modelzone in Romford that isn't really worth bothering with.

[ariel]

Hiroboy

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...9&postcount=51