It’s the gaming store where you can immerse yourself in a medieval themed room or a dungeon complete with dragon called Dave!
Board on the Waterside has become a treasured community hub for thousands of gamers in the six months since it opened in Dibden Purlieu.
It was opened by former police officer Matt Manning, from nearby Holbury, who decided to indulge his passion for gaming and open his own business after being forced to retire when he lost his leg.
Club night at Board on the Waterside (Image: Board on the Waterside)
READ MORE: New Forest visitor attraction to host Horrible Histories trail this summer
It’s dedicated to table top strategy gaming, trading card games, and independent board games.
With tables for hire to play your favourite games, two dedicated theme rooms and a well lit usable paint studio, Board on the Waterside is a one stop shop for all your hobby gaming needs.
Loved by Warhammer 40,000 fans and those of Blood on the Clock Tower, a social deduction game similar to The Traitors, as well as trading card lovers including Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana and Pokémon, the venue hosts various club nights, a quiz, and a Saturday morning club for young people.
The Board on the Waterside shop front (Image: Board on the Waterside)
There are meet and greets, think speed dating for board gamers, and local school children have been working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards inside the store.
Matt told the Daily Echo: “This has always been my passion and I’ve really enjoyed starting this interactive community focused shop.
“There are not many places like this about so we’ve had a great reaction and people travelling from far and wide to see us.
“I’ve never run my own business before, but in just six months we’ve built a really good community with lots of friendships formed and we are finding families now come for their game night out rather than having it around the kitchen table.
“It’s just a place where you can go and forget the stresses of life.”
Board on the Waterside, which is in The Exchange on Beaulieu Road previously offices but once occupied by the renowned restaurant Capers, is open seven days a week until late.