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Our regular meet up is on Wednesday night at 19:00 at Hebrews Cafe behind St James’ Church in Thornton, Bradford.

Really Important News

We are back for 2026 on Wednesday 7th January, 2026.

Welcome

Board in the Village is a community of board gamers in Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. We play a lot of modern board games. Board games are enjoying a renaissance with people eschewing screens and social media for a chance to sit across from people having fun.

These aren’t the board games of old - you won’t find Monopoly or Ludo here. There are casual card games that ask you to hold cards under your wrist whilst holding another against your cheek, games that ask you to build up a tree using leaves and animals, games that have you building theme parks, battling zombies and running your own fast food chain.

We meet up every Wednesday night in the St James’ Church in Thornton. Those meet-ups are open to everyone and we welcome anyone who wants to play some games.

For New People

New to Gaming

If you have never played a modern board game before then come along and we can help you get started. We've had loads of people come with next to no experience and helped them join in on a fun activity and see what these games are about.

At Board in the Village, you’ll find people ready to welcome you and teach something you’ll love, and you’ll be able to get a good game experience on your first night.

New to Groups

If you've played a lot of games with friends and family and have an itch for more, then Group Gaming might be for you - and we can help you get started. Taking the leap from playing with friends to a new group can be intimidating, but it is something we can help you get over.

When you come along you’ll find friendly people who want to know what you like playing, and play something similar while introducing you to a world of new games you might never have played before.

New to Us

If you are used to club gaming and want to broaden your playing groups, then come along and find some like minds and new players.

We've got a lot of people who like a lot of different games and are always ready to teach one of their favourites or learn something new you've brought along. When you come along you’ll find experienced gamers eager to play and learn new games and welcome you to the group.

Quick Note

A quick note to say that the group is open to adults only.

Find Us

He Brews Cafe behind St James’ Church in Thornton, Bradford.

He Brews is a cafe at the back of St James’ Church in Thornton, Bradford, West Yorkshire. To get to the cafe, head up the Church’s stone steps and before you get to the door, go left around the back of the building.

We have an honesty system which lets us use the cafe’s tuckshop which offers drinks and snacks.

The address for He Brews, or Hebrews if you prefer, is St James’ Church is Thornton Road, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3AB.

Our Regulars

  • Jamie Our Leader Has a game for every occasion, and runs a great Christmas, but prefers Halloween.
  • Michael The Average Lieutenant Loves a Rondel.
  • Ruby The Young Person Where board games meets Championship winning footballers.
  • Craig The Highlander Has started to bring some really interesting games.
  • Nath The Fine Host Maintains the Board in the Village secret bunker.
  • Gary The Refined Player Also known as The Gariods.
  • Shelby The Tenacious She comes a long way to game, but she has brought Wedding Cake.
  • Alan The Teacher Has a load of classic games and a passion for teaching them.
  • Nick The Mister Claudia One half of our dream couple who loves a deep game.
  • Claudia The Misses Nick Knows all the German place names in Hansa & Power Grid.
  • Gavin The Handsome ’nuff said.
  • Michael The Original Michael Recently back from far too long away.
  • Michael The Other Michael Has Cosmic Encounter & Escape from Atlantis!
  • Patrick The Enthusiast Joining us from Keighley, we are getting well known.
  • Janet The Decorum Bringing a much needed respectability to the group.
  • Faye The Excellent Takes all the turns in Uno.
  • Jonathan The Bookman He knows Richard, you know.

Hall of Fame

  • Thomas Le garçon des jeux de société Our friend in France, who was in Bradford.
  • Lee The Chaos Engine Has definitely played Twilight Imperium.
  • Chris The Latest One always needs a Chris in one's life.
  • David The Holidaymaker He arrived to game, and may one day return.

We Miss You...

  • Graham The Graeme Is it Graeme or Graham? Difficult to say.
  • Jack The Bourgogne Has got Castles of Burgundy in the car, and will sell you his spare copy.
  • Ian The Red Has been told about talking about football before, and will do it again.
  • Bea The Rouler Travels great distances through pedal power.

What We've Played Recently

March 2026 Highlights

Brass: Birmingham

Patrick makes his debut and Nath wins by a single point. Hashtag exciting as flip!

Talisman

The King of Board Gaming makes a first ever Board In The Village appearance.

Escape The Dark Castle

Five adventures and a Rotten Shield were able to best the Dark Castle!

Monsdrawsity

You've seen an alien, now to desribe it to the worst drawers in the world!

Feb 2026 Highlights

Tapestry

Building a whole civilization? In only a few hours? By moving up tracks! We are in!

Money!

A lesser Knizia, but a really impressive ten minute game.

Aquatica

A surprisingly interesting card management game which includes a lot of Mer-people.

Jan 2026 Highlights

Ticket To Ride

A first game with the three new people who brighten up our Wednesday evening! Hope to see you again soon.

Modern Art

The classic Reiner Knizia auction game in its most beautiful form.

Dec 2025 Highlights

Santa's Workshop

Festive worker placement from the chilly North Pole, or rather our gaming room with the heating off.

Arcs

Where Lee still tries to decide if he likes the game, while winning it.

Great Western Trail

Trading cows, some of whom look like Sheep, which is very Festive.

Other Games We've Played

  • The Fox Experiment

  • Hansa Teutonica

  • Money

  • Aquatica

  • Ra

  • Trajan

  • It's a Wonderful World

  • 7 Wonders

  • A War of Whispers

  • Brass

  • Brian Boru

  • Catan

  • Nucleum

  • Chinatown

  • Cockroach Poker

  • Concordia

  • Dinosaur Island

  • Dragon and Flagon

  • The King Is Dead

  • Fury of Dracula

  • Lords of Vegas

  • Pick Picknic

  • Alhambra

  • Ponzi Scheme

  • Heat

  • Navegador

  • Hanabi

  • Raiders of the North Sea

  • Root

  • Scythe

  • Skull

  • Tulip Bubble

  • Tapestry

  • The Chameleon

  • Power Grid

  • Ticket To Ride

  • Inis

  • Casacadia

  • Tigris and Euphrates

  • Trickerion

  • Twilight Imperium

  • Unfair

  • Snow Tails

  • Highlander: The Board Game

  • Beowulf: The Legend

  • Greed Inc.

  • Green Team Wins

  • Stephenson's Rocket

  • Moon

  • Brass Lancashire

  • Clank Catacombs

  • Fishing

  • 6 nimmt!

  • Popcorn

  • Brink

  • Lifeboats: Plank of Carneades

  • Great Western Trail

  • Stonespine Architects

  • Superclub

  • Through The Desert

  • Zoo Vadis

  • Arcs

  • 7 Wonders

  • Citadels

  • Dinosaur Gauge

  • Faraway

  • Stew

  • Moon Colony Bloodbath

  • Orleans