FAQ
21 July 2025
HandyCon aims to ensure that all online spaces related to the convention, including our website and members area, are respectful, inclusive, and welcoming. By using these platforms, you agree to adhere to the following guidelines, which support a positive and safe digital environment for everyone.
General
HandyCon is a three-day board gaming convention held four times a year in Milton Keynes, UK, with a welcoming and inclusive environment for board gamers of all levels.
You’ll find a large games library to explore, and we love it when attendees bring their own games along to share.
There’s plenty happening over the weekend, from tournaments, game designers playtesting their board games and exhibitors to events, social deduction games like blood on the clocktower and teaching sessions.
We can’t wait to meet you!
We play all sorts of board games — from classic family favourites to heavy euro games.
Light to Heavy Euro Games
Social Deduction Games (Murder Mistery, BOTC,...)
Social Party Games ( We may host sessions after 6 pm)
Mega Games ( Civilization, Pitch a car, Heat, etc. with more players than usual)
We host a Breakfast Club for new welcomers and players that want to start the morning with light games and meet people.
You’re sure to find something you enjoy (and someone to enjoy it with!).
Our ever-growing games library is open to all attendees, and we also encourage attendees to bring along their own favourites to share.
At HandyCon, we’re all about enjoying games together in a friendly, inclusive environment. We ask all attendees to help us maintain that atmosphere by being considerate of others and following our Code of Conduct.
Please treat everyone with respect and kindness. We want all attendees to feel safe and welcome, so avoid any behaviour that could be considered disruptive, harmful, or offensive. If you have any concerns, or if you witness something that goes against our Code of Conduct, please speak to a Volunteer member and request to Speak with Paul, we’re here to help.
Yes, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all attendees. We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or discrimination and take any reports of such behaviour very seriously.
You can find our full anti-harassment policy on our website, and we encourage everyone to read it before attending. If you experience or witness any behaviour that violates this policy, please contact a volunteer member and request to speak with one of the organisers.
While HandyCon is primarily designed with adults in mind, we fully recognise that many of our attendees have entered a new chapter with their families and still enjoy sharing their hobbies together and we’re all for it! So yes, we warmly welcome attendees of all ages.
All children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Children aged 6–15 are eligible for half-price tickets
Children aged 5 and under do not require a pre-purchased ticket but must be signed in upon arrival
We also have a Family Zone featuring a selection of games suitable for children under 12. However, please note that this is not a supervised area, so children must not be left unattended under any circumstances.*
Due to the nature of the convention and venue capacity, we cap the number of children’s tickets available per convention, so we recommend booking early if you plan to attend as a family.
*A kind reminder that our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy apply to all attendees, including children and their parents or guardians.
Getting Here
Yes, free parking is available at the venue for all attendees. There are 150 spaces, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
At present, there's no need to register your vehicle.
We kindly ask that, even if the car park is full, please do not use the accessible (disabled) bays unless you have a genuine accessibility need. Parking there and leaving your contact details at reception “just in case” is not acceptable.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration. Delta Hotel Reception: +44 1908-694433
Nearest Major Train Station
The closest major train station is Milton Keynes Central, which is approximately a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel. It’s the main station in the city with excellent services, including fast links to London Euston
Alternative Local Station
Another option is Bow Brickhill, roughly a 2-minute drive from the hotel—but note it’s much smaller, with only a few local trains per hour.
Why We Recommend Milton Keynes Central
More frequent and faster services, including inter-city trains
More convenient taxi options, avoiding multiple bus changes
Better facilities, such as a taxi rank, cafés, and larger waiting areas.
If you're travelling by bus, the nearest stop is Walton Roundabout East, located on Groveway, just on the right-hand side of the hotel site.
Please note there is no access from Walton Roundabout North, as it is located at the back of the property. Which bus lines serve Walton Roundabout East?
The following local bus services stop at Walton Roundabout East on Groveway:
8 – Arriva: Oxley Park → Walnut Tree → … → Central Milton Keynes
C1 – Central Milton Keynes → Bedford (via Walton)
C11 – Central Milton Keynes → Bedford (different routing)
MK1 – Express link between Milton Keynes Central and Luton Airport
5, 6 – Arriva: serving Wolverton, Bradville, Bletchley, and hospital areas
F77 – Arriva local route
We strongly advise to check the bus services before your journey.
Attending HandyCon
HandyCon runs from 9am until late on Friday and Saturday, and closes at 6pm on Sunday.The hotel reception is open 24/7, so there’s always someone available if you need assistance during your stay.
These extended hours give you plenty of time to explore games, reconnect with friends, and enjoy the full HandyCon experience.
We know many of you are eager to get started! While Thursday evening usualy isn’t part of the official convention, you’re welcome to use the hotel bar area for gaming if space is available. Please note this is at the discretion of the hotel and not guaranteed.
That being said, we encourage you to come and join us for the official start of HandyCon on Friday morning, where you can enjoy a whole weekend of board gaming fun, a huge games library, tournaments, and more!
We highly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your place. However, if the convention hasn’t sold out, tickets may still be available “at the door.”
Please note: “At the door” means tickets can still be purchased via our website — we do not accept card or cash payments at the reception desk for tickets.
We maintain a live inventory of available tickets throughout the weekend, so feel free to check online before heading over.
Please bring your ticket (either printed or digital) to the registration desk, where our friendly team will check you in and provide your pass.
We also kindly ask that you return your lanyard at the end of the weekend, so we can reuse them for future conventions.
Gaming at HandyCon
There are plenty of ways to get into games at HandyCon!
Here are the best ways to join in and learn new games, both before and during the convention:
Use the HandyCon Game Organiser. The Game Organiser goes live 1 to 2 weeks before the convention, and you’ll find the access link on our website, Facebook Page and Facebook Discussion Group.
We recommend saving a shortcut on your phone so it’s easy to access during the event. Please note: if you open the link through the Facebook browser on some mobile devices, you may not be able to edit it properly. We suggest using your device’s default browser for full access.Look out for “Players Wanted” signs, or use one yourself! These signs are a great way to find players or invite others to join your game.If you’re setting up a game and looking for people to join, just place a sign on your table, you also welcome to post a photo in the HandyCon Facebook Discussion Group to let others know.Please return the signs to the Games Desk when not in use so others can enjoy them too.
Join our Facebook Group. The HandyCon Facebook Group is a brilliant way to connect with other attendees.
We’re passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming space where it’s easy to meet new people and jump into games.
We completely understand that arriving solo or for your first convention can make some people Anxious. But you're not alone!
We do our best to make everyone feel welcome.
Our HandyCrew in orange shirts are always happy to help you find a game, answer questions, or simply have a chat.
We have a Breakfast Club (More info soon) in the mornings with small games to break the ice, where you can learn and meet new people. It runs every morning from 9 AM.
Events and Tournaments can also be a great way to meet new people.
We also have introduced the rainbow lanyards, where other attendees that are not part of the hand crew or even HandyCrew member that are not in orange on that moment in time, will be happy to help you and include you in a game.
And if you’ve got any questions or concerns beforehand, please don’t hesitate to email us.
The open gaming areas are available from 9am Friday until 6pm Sunday, and you’re welcome to play games day and night throughout the weekend.
(We kindly remind everyone to take breaks, get some rest, and stay fresh for the comfort of all guests.)
Some tournaments and events require pre-registration, which you can do online ahead of the convention. Others allow you to sign up during the convention — either via a sign-up sheet or simply by showing up on the day.
For full details on what’s happening and how to join in, follow us on Facebook, join the HandyCon Discussion Group, or visit the page for the HandyCon you’re attending.
We’ll also have a dedicated landing page with all convention information, available one week before the Convention date.
The Venue
Please check the respective convention ticket page you are attending.
If the Discount Link for the hotel booking has been released you will find it on the start of the convention description. We will also announce on the HandyCon Facebook Discussion Group.
Accommodation at the venue tends to book up quickly once rooms are released, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Please note: The hotel only releases 20 rooms for Thursday to Friday. If you're booking those dates, try adjusting your check-in/check-out days to view availability.
There are also many hotels in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area if the venue becomes fully booked or you would prefer to stay off site.
The hotel has a main bar and restaurant, which will be offering a special discounted HandyCon menu.
They usually provide a Regular Menu, Vegetarian Menu, Vegan Options, and Gluten-Free Options available. Please contact the hotel directly for further details.
If you have any allergies, please inform the hotel management team in advance.
If you’d prefer to venture outside the venue, there are restaurants, cafés, and shops in Milton Keynes. The Kingston Centre is just 8 min drive by car or a 16-minute bus ride away.
Please note that no outside food or drink may be brought into or consumed in the public areas of the hotel, including the bar and any convention spaces.
Only food and drink purchased at the venue may be consumed in the gaming rooms or other public areas.
If you need to bring your own food for medical, dietary, or other specific reasons, please contact the hotel management team in advance to inform them.
Please refer to our Accessibility Page, where you’ll find all the information you may need, including contact details for the venue.
The hotel's health club facilities are typically reserved for hotel guests only. However, HandyCon attendees who are staying at the hotel may have access to these facilities as part of their room reservation.
As a HandyCon attendee, you will have access to the main convention areas, lobby, communal toilets, bar, and restaurant during the convention.