bootneck Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 Frome is a nice, but small town, especially compared to Bath and Bristol. Frome Model Centre is a small shop; however, it is like a TARDIS and probably has more kits per sq. inch than any other model shop in South England. I have only ever seen more kits at Hannants and they have a very large warehouse. Frome's shop also has an extensive range of paints, fillers and aftermarket items. If you are a family, then your children might enjoy the railway and dolls house elements which are situated in a separate room. The shop is well worth a visit but don't expect it to be a five minute look around. Also, last time I visited, there was a nice cafe opposite. Jadlam, at Glastonbury, is different, catering for toys, railways, Scalextric and model kits. It is large and airy as this video shows. I haven't visited the Scale Model Shed at Ilminster yet, although I have ordered items from them. They appear to have premises similar to Jadlam, with probably a similiar range. As has already been mentioned by Graham, the Helicopter Museum at Weston Super Mare, is a great venue for getting loads of details on helicopters. Check out their site and opening times here. cheers, Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 "The shop is well worth a visit but don't expect it to be a five minute look around. Also, last time I visited, there was a nice cafe opposite." Sounds a bit like heaven to me.😀 Thanks lads for the advice. Most appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut22 Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 Frome Model Center is not what it used to be, don't get me wrong its still a fantastic shop but the stock is a lot smaller these days. It used to be full shelves from floor to (a high) ceiling and the space between the shelves was tight for the overfed modeller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 That's how I remember it, I could only just fit in between all those shelves jammed full of kits and my eyesight wasn't good enough to see the kits at the very top! I wonder why it has changed at the shop? Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 Been to Bridlington today and Croppers on Lansdowne Road has finally gone 🙄 Not at all surprised as last time i was in it had very limited stock. Would seem they are still trading on line and hopefully will keep going. Regards, Steve 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treker_ed Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 On 9/16/2023 at 2:36 PM, Stef N. said: I'll use one of those as a base to explore around the area. Probably Frome as it looks pleasant and smaller than the other two (unless I am informed it is a well avoided dump😀) Frome isn't too bad. I've generally used it as a stopping off point travelling to and from Devon (and as an excuse to visit the shop....) but be warned the hill leading to Frome model shop is an absolute killer!!! As others have said it's a pretty decent shop for all sorts, kits, paints, glues etc. Not been in for a couple of years, as not had the chance, but hope to the next time we are down that way. There are a decent amount of cafes as well. On 9/16/2023 at 2:36 PM, Stef N. said: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 An update from my west country sojourn. Frome Model Centre is good but there is a shortage of stock at the moment, especially in the paint section. And that hill is a killer. Antics in Bristol is a great shop. Very well stocked and good staff too. Salisbury Model Centre is in a similar league. Well worth popping in if you are in the city. On the same street is an antiques/bric a brac shop which had some very old kits perfect for the collector. Dunks Specialist Model Centre in Trowbridge is also a bit of a gem. Very small but filled. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treker_ed Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 2 hours ago, Stef N. said: And that hill is a killer. Told you....😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 Market Harborough covered market has a model railway and model kits stall. Yesterday there were a couple of Airfix 1/35th Tigers. various scale Aircraft and some second hand kits, around a tenner for 1/72nd. The new kits seem to be around RRP. Not sure about paints/glue etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 Hobbycraft seem to be getting better stocked these days with my local now selling lots of Airfix again (yay!), Tamiya all scales, AFV Club, Mistercraft (yuk), Revell, Academy, Italeri, Trumpeter and others. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea and not the cheapest but if you haven't got a local hobby shop and have to rely on mail order, eBay etc then it's still probably a cheaper option than paying postage. Plus it's always nice to see things in the flesh and have a good browse 😊 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhutchi Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Model Junction in Bury St Edmunds is worth a visit 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 minus one Ards Model Centre, aka Seans Shop Mill Street Newtownards Co. Down closed about late last November / early December It hours of opening were so inconsistent for about a year its hard to say when it actually closed down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airfixpeter Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 I remembered another one buffers model railways on the main from chard to Axminster although mainly railway they do have a nice little model section lots of paint and glue as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckw Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 I visited K B Models in Havant last spring, and was most impressed - planning a return visit, but Google is saying 'permanently closed'. Can anyone confirm? Cheers Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby No Mac Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Northern England is something of a model shop desert compared with the south west, so I must give a shoutout to my nearest modelling oasis: Jacksons Models and Railways in Wigton, Cumbria (just west of Carlisle). It's a small shop tucked away down a residential terrace street in the town centre and it's pretty much split 50:50 between kits and model railways in two rooms with boxes stacked to ceiling. They have a good selection of Tamiya and Airfix, with a smattering of Revell, Italeri and Heller. They also specialise in AMT car kits. The staff are really helpful and friendly too. There is a huge range of tools, materials, the obligatory Humbrol rack and Tamiya paints (X, LP and TS) If you're ever on holiday in the northern half of the Lake District (Keswick, Cockermouth, Caldbeck etc) then it's definitely worth a trip. Just remember to look up the address on the t'interweb as, even though Wigton's only a small town, the shop's not in an obvious location. You also have a walk around the shop in google street view (from 2015). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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