Anyone played at Dragons Lair Airsoft

[Cannonfodder]

1 hour ago, sam_91 said:

would take me nearly 2 hours+ of buses plus a 1.5 mile walk to play at Mayhem Romford 

I find cqb sites tend to be more accessible, eg camo raids on Canvey Island has a bus stop only 5 minutes walk away

[Colin Allen]

1 hour ago, sam_91 said:

would take me nearly 2 hours+ of buses plus a 1.5 mile walk to play at Mayhem Romford 

How easy would it be for you to get to Billericay station?  A few players at Airsoft Plantation get a taxi to the site from there.  Splatoon is a couple of miles from Wickford station.

Edited August 24 by Colin Allen

[sam_91]

19 minutes ago, Colin Allen said:

How easy would it be for you to get to Billericay station?  A few players at Airsoft Plantation get a taxi to the site from there.  Splatoon is a couple of miles from Wickford station.

 1 hour 24 mins (trains)(fastest) , public transport wise its a bit scuffed for me 

Edited August 24 by sam_91

[Colin Allen]

36 minutes ago, sam_91 said:

 1 hour 24 mins (trains)(fastest) , public transport wise its a bit scuffed for me 

Unfortunately, unless you start driving, that is a problem you are going to face.  My son has the same problem as he has not started driving lessons yet.

[Asomodai]

3 hours ago, sam_91 said:

 1 hour 24 mins (trains)(fastest) , public transport wise its a bit scuffed for me 

 

This is what you have to do. I managed to get to many different sites by public transport plus up to an hour of walking. 

[TheFull9]

I think it's safe to say that this 'comes with the territory'. Airsoft is not a big business comparatively speaking, so you combine the fact there's not much money in it with the other fact that we're running around with 'guns' and throwing fireworks and hence need to be away/segregated from anyone not actively participating, then the sites are generally going to be in locations where nobody else is regularly travelling to. Unless someone sticks to the rare examples like Precinct 13 and Z-Mart that are actually in the middle of a fair sized town, then having a car and license is (close to) a requirement for entry for the hobby I'd say.

 

First time really thinking about it, but I'd almost say that if you're new/getting in to this and can't drive or get lifts, then either put the time and money in to driving before even getting eye pro and a gun or buy one absolutely barebones loadout then hold off further purchases until the driving is sorted. Bearing in mind of course that some people who've already commented here don't fit this category and do use public transport, so it clearly can be done. Personally though I wouldn't ever play if I had to spend hours on trains/buses and then potentially hike a long way with a heavy bag; then do it all again on the way home. Not knocking that method, it's perhaps the only option for some folks for various reason and the effort is impressive frankly, but not for me.

[Chai.]

On 24/08/2025 at 16:46, sam_91 said:

@Chai. Hey did you go if so how was it? I played my 5th game there today I always just go/  play as a solo , its very close to me only 3 miles away as i dont drive most sites are just out of reach for me 

its alright like , id play some other sites on the alternating weekends but i cant get to them

Hey @sam_91, I did go in the morning just to see the site and speak with Ray for a short period. The drive for is not bad and I will probably go to games next month.
I was planning on going and actually playing but the only thing I need to upgrade is my gear, face protection especially as I have only got a cheap one from TM. Once I get that sorted I will hopefully be at the next games next month.

 

On 24/08/2025 at 17:16, Cannonfodder said:

https://playairsoft.uk/

 

I'm in the same situation as you having to rely on public transport and I've found you need to be ok with spending slot of time on public transport and be prepared to walk alot to and from sites

I drive and it looks like there's a couple places that I can get to that are an hour drive or less: Dragons Lair Airsoft, Mayhem Airsoft, camo raids, and Airsoft Plantation. I will probably go to dragons lair a few times to get used to skirmishing and then start going to other sites and rotate from there.

Edited August 26 by Chai.

[sam_91]

Who playing here tommorrow then? I'll be there 

[Colin Allen]

3 hours ago, sam_91 said:

Who playing here tommorrow then? I'll be there 

I doubt that I will be going back unless they make some fairly major changes to the site.

[sam_91]

23 minutes ago, Colin Allen said:

I doubt that I will be going back unless they make some fairly major changes to the site.

What changes would you like to see? i think they should finish the CQB area then just open up the compounds, just add more doorways and windows instead of it forcing you to play left right or center 

[Colin Allen]

13 minutes ago, sam_91 said:

What changes would you like to see? i think they should finish the CQB area then just open up the compounds, just add more doorways and windows instead of it forcing you to play left right or center 

I agree that the valley is the main area of concern; the structures do not work for the reasons that you state.  I think they would do better to take them down and have a number of smaller barricades and structures etc, rather like at the old site.  I believe that consideration is being given to reviewing the valley, but it seems that what you are suggesting is a more likely outcome than my preferred one.

The CQB area on the ridge is also a bit of an issue for me; it played well when there were a number of barricades up there.

I have discussed all of this with Ray.

I don't think the site is large enough to have two separate zones.



 

[sam_91]

hopefully there will be an outcome where the site is improved as it has potential, its my local as i said so ill be playing there regardless i guess 

[Cannonfodder]

I haven't been to Dragon's Lair so I can't comment on how good the site is.

 

But I think it's worth pointing out that often the people running the site aren't the ones who have the final say on what can or can't be built

[Colin Allen]

4 minutes ago, Cannonfodder said:

I haven't been to Dragon's Lair so I can't comment on how good the site is.

 

But I think it's worth pointing out that often the people running the site aren't the ones who have the final say on what can or can't be built

Good point!  They pretty much have a free hand at DL, provided that it is out of sight of the hotel.

Edited Saturday at 14:51 by Colin Allen