Games Haven Guide Series
Nottinghamshire, situated in England’s East Midlands, holds an extraordinary place in the world of gaming. It is internationally recognised as the heartland of the miniature wargaming industry, often called the “Lead Belt.” This status is no accident. It reflects a unique convergence of historical, economic, creative, and cultural forces that have been shaping the industry for nearly fifty years. Today, the region serves not just as a production hub, but as the epicentre of global tabletop imagination.
1. Early Roots: From Military Training to Fantasy Hobby
Wargaming began in the eighteenth century as a method for training military officers. The Prussian army developed kriegsspiel to simulate battlefield tactics using rules and model representations. It was a practical, analytical tool. Over time, however, the concept transitioned into civilian hands.
By the early twentieth century, authors and hobbyists reimagined wargaming as play. H. G. Wells’s Little Wars (1913) introduced non-military players to games involving toy soldiers and miniature terrain. His rules were light-hearted and creative, yet rooted in historical warfare.
After the Second World War, the United Kingdom saw a rapid growth in hobbyist wargaming. Donald Featherstone helped popularise the format with books, columns, and gameplay demonstrations. In the United States, Gary Gygax laid the groundwork for a parallel movement, ultimately co-creating Dungeons & Dragons and connecting storytelling to wargame mechanics.
2. Citadel Miniatures and Games Workshop: Founding the Industry Core
In 1978, the defining moment came. Bryan Ansell, Ian Livingstone, and Steve Jackson founded Citadel Miniatures in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. They sought to create high-quality metal figures that could support Games Workshop’s game line.
Livingstone and Jackson had already launched Games Workshop in 1975 as a small mail-order business, but Citadel allowed for bespoke production of fantasy miniatures. By the early 1980s, Games Workshop relocated to Nottinghamshire to consolidate operations.
The company’s modern headquarters, Warhammer World, now offers public access to gaming halls, exhibits, and retail experiences.
3. Warhammer: A New Era Begins
In 1983, Warhammer Fantasy Battle debuted, created by Bryan Ansell, Rick Priestley, and Richard Halliwell. This game introduced a rich, dark fantasy setting and a novel blend of narrative campaign play with customisable miniatures.
The popularity of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 catapulted Games Workshop to global prominence. Its influence on fantasy culture, game design, and even art direction continues to be studied, including in academic settings such as the Warhammer Conference (Heidelberg 2024).
4. Building an Ecosystem: Local Spin-Offs and Legacy Studios
The creative environment around Games Workshop seeded an ecosystem of wargaming businesses:
- Warlord Games, founded by John Stallard and Paul Sawyer, focuses on historical games like Bolt Action and Hail Caesar.
- Mantic Games, launched by Ronnie Renton, offers fantasy and sci-fi miniatures and works with licensed properties including The Walking Dead and Halo.
- Perry Miniatures, run by Michael and Alan Perry, produce museum-quality historical miniatures.
- Wargames Foundry, revived by Bryan Ansell, continues the tradition of classic Citadel-style metal miniatures.
- Battlefront Miniatures UK, known for Flames of War, operates a UK headquarters in Beeston.
This network formed the modern “Lead Belt,” with design, sculpting, and manufacturing talent continually cross-pollinating between companies.
5. The Evolution of Materials and Manufacturing
The name “Lead Belt” refers to early figure casting in lead alloy. Due to safety concerns, most manufacturers transitioned to pewter and resin by the 1990s, and later to plastic injection moulding and 3D printing.
Despite technological advancements, most companies in Nottinghamshire continue to manufacture locally to ensure quality and rapid turnaround for product development cycles.
6. The Cultural Layer: Community, Events, and Clubs
Local gaming clubs and events serve as vital hubs. The Nottingham Board and Wargames Club fosters regular play and campaigns. Events such as Bring Out Your Lead (BOYL), held at Stoke Hall and hosted by Wargames Foundry, honour the classic era of Warhammer.
Warhammer World is a major tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the globe. Attendees explore museum exhibits, play on cinematic terrain boards, and enjoy themed dining at Bugman’s Bar.
7. Academic Attention and Public History
Wargaming has become an academic subject. Books such as Zones of Control: Perspectives on Wargaming (MIT Press) and digital humanities projects like the History of Wargaming Project explore the pedagogical and cultural value of tabletop games.
The Warhammer Conference at Heidelberg University (2024) examined wargaming’s role in myth-making, militarism, and public memory. Additional academic interest comes from institutions including Goldsmiths, University of London and The University of Edinburgh.
8. The Economic Machine: Revenue, Jobs, and Exports
Games Workshop’s Investor Centre confirms the scale of growth: by 2024, it employed over 3,000 staff and reached a market cap exceeding £3.5 billion. Its Castle Donington facility expanded to serve global markets with rapid logistics.
Warlord Games received a £1.25 million investment from Hornby in 2023, marking a major partnership in hobby industry convergence.
Mantic Games remains Kickstarter-active, with successful campaigns such as Dungeon Saga Origins and Firefight surpassing hundreds of thousands in pledges.
9. Media Crossover and Mainstream Success
Wargaming IPs have expanded into mass media:
- Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40,000 Amazon Series
- Black Library Fiction
- Video games like Total War: Warhammer, Vermintide, and Space Marine
These adaptations have helped popularise Nottinghamshire-based content to audiences beyond the tabletop niche.
10. Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Despite success, the industry must adapt. Supply chains face pressure, younger players demand hybrid digital models, and sustainability is increasingly important. Companies are exploring biodegradable sprues, low-waste packaging, and digital rules integration.
Nottinghamshire’s universities, such as Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, are fostering partnerships with game designers and cultural historians to innovate and document the evolving hobby space.
Final Reflection
Nottinghamshire’s wargaming industry blends history, creativity, and community. Its miniature makers have shaped not only the games we play, but the way we think about play, conflict, and myth. The Lead Belt remains a living network of creators, players, and storytellers whose legacy spans the past, present, and future of hobby gaming.
Sources
- “The Lead Belt – Wargames history in the Midlands,” Midlands Historical Review. Extensive coverage of companies, origins, and the local ecosystem, including Citadel Miniatures, Games Workshop, Wargames Foundry, Warlord Games, Mantic Games, Perry Miniatures, and industry growth in Nottinghamshire.
- “Games Workshop – Wikipedia.” Details the founding of Games Workshop, its move to Nottingham, global expansion, and role as the anchor of the local wargaming industry.
- “Our History | Games Workshop Group PLC.” Official company history including key milestones such as Citadel’s founding, the move to Nottinghamshire, launch of Warhammer, HQ relocation to Lenton, and establishment of Warhammer World.
- “Games Workshop: The story behind the success of global Nottingham business,” West Bridgford Wire. Industry impact and ecosystem.
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