The Partizan Wargames Show 2026 once again demonstrated exactly why it remains one of the most respected events in the UK historical tabletop wargaming calendar. Held at Newark Showground, Partizan has long built its reputation around beautifully presented demo games, stunning miniature painting, and an atmosphere that many hobbyists describe as a more relaxed and “civilised” alternative to the larger convention-style events. This year’s show absolutely lived up to that reputation.
In this latest video, I take a detailed look around the demo tables and share some of the games that particularly stood out to me during the day. One of the biggest talking points was the growing presence of smaller scales, showing just how cinematic smaller miniatures can look on the tabletop. At the same time, the classic spectacle of large-scale 28mm gaming was still alive and thriving, with massive Seven Years War, Vietnam, Napoleonic, and American Civil War tables drawing huge crowds throughout the event.
Among my personal highlights were the extraordinary Seven Years War game by Friends of a Military Gentleman, featuring around 2,000 beautifully painted 30mm figures, the atmospheric Cape Finisterre naval battle by Like a Stonewall, complete with fog banks and drifting smoke, and Harrogate Wargames Club’s astonishingly detailed Vietnam game Walk This Hue 1968. There were also fantastic participation games, Sharp Practice skirmishes, trench warfare displays, feudal Japanese battles, and plenty of wonderfully eccentric hobby details hidden across the tables.
My show video attempts to summarise my reflections on the social side of the hobby, which for me remains one of the most important aspects of shows like Partizan. Throughout the day, I spent a lot of time talking with viewers, fellow gamers, traders, and well-known personalities from the hobby, including Henry Hyde, Simon Miller, Barry Hilton, Rich Clarke, and John Kershaw. Some of the most meaningful conversations centred not just around rules and miniatures, but around creativity, mental health, friendship, and the positive role that tabletop gaming communities can play in people’s lives.
Partizan 2026 felt like a hobby in excellent health: visually ambitious, creative, welcoming, and constantly evolving. Whether you’re interested in historical wargaming, miniature painting, terrain building, or simply seeing what’s possible on the tabletop, there was no shortage of inspiration on display this year.
Excellent, show report, Lee.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Great games are easy to photograph!
DeleteYour running commentary added a lot to the photo tour.
DeleteThanks. It was a little out of sync with the pictures, but that happened in the final edit of the video and I was out of time to correct it. A lesson learned for next time!
DeleteA great showcase in my view π
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteBrilliant show report, Lee. Superb filming of the games.
ReplyDeleteCheers Richard. Quality games and quality conversation all day long at Partizan
DeleteAn excellent post Lee, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWillz.
Thank you, much appreciated.
DeleteI was looking forward to reading your report on Partisan 2026, but unfortunately, you focused your post on your appreciation of the event, with your video report serving only to support your commentary. While both had their merits, the combination of the two detracted from the overall effect. Indeed, most of the time you were criticizing one demonstration table while the video footage showed a different one.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of communication, it's essential to have one objective and one objective only. By combining two objectives, the message becomes muddled and can only disappoint.
I live on the other side of the Channel and will probably never attend Partisan or Salute, which is why I was eagerly awaiting your report, which is usually of high quality.
One last thing: I sent you two comments this month that have gone unanswered. If you only want praise and no criticism; Just tell me, and I'll refrain from wasting my time translating my thoughts for you in the future.
On the continent, we often say that the British invented fair play, but only for external purposes.
Your answer will, I hope, prove me wrong.
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy either the video or the accompanying blog post as much as you’d hoped. I appreciate you taking the time to explain why, even if I disagree with some of your conclusions.
DeleteThe video and article were intentionally focused on my personal experience and impressions of the show rather than being a table-by-table documentary report. I understand that may not have matched your expectations, especially if you were hoping for a more comprehensive showcase of the event itself, but that doesn’t make the approach objectively wrong or “muddled” — simply a different editorial choice.
Regarding comments, I try to reply to as many as I reasonably can, but no comment is automatically entitled to a response. Time is finite, and between writing, filming, editing, work, and life outside the hobby, I simply cannot answer everything. A lack of reply should not be interpreted as hostility towards criticism or a desire to receive praise only.
Constructive disagreement is perfectly welcome. In fact, many of my videos are built around differing opinions within the hobby. But I also think it’s important to remember that creators are people managing limited time and energy, not public service departments operating a guaranteed correspondence policy.
In any case, I do appreciate you watching and reading my work, even if this particular piece didn’t land for you.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to reply. I'm not sure the French translation of your message accurately reflects your thoughts. It wasn't the commentary or the video itself that disappointed me, but rather the inadequacy of the two.
When you mention a diorama, the images show a different one. The problem lies in the editing of your report. I understand that you were short on time and that your professional commitments didn't allow you to dedicate more time to editing.
I also understand that you simply relied on the convention footage to explain its strengths and demonstrate that this show was more focused on the magnificent demonstration tables than some more commercial shows that give manufacturers the lion's share of the spotlight.
I've watched several reports from Partisan 2026, including the one by your friend Ray Roussel, whose French ancestry is quite evident.
For future posts, I think you could split your message into two parts. One message concerns a report on the convention, the other your impressions of this event compared to others.
I follow your messages with particular interest; they are always insightful, which is why I sometimes reply to them.
I'm sure you won't be offended by my comments. Perhaps I was expecting too much from your report, and as they say, "you should never meet your idols," at the risk of being disappointed.
An excellent post Lee, I evho your thoughts entirely!
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the show this year I thought there was some spectacular games, I also enjoyed your video summary.
ReplyDelete