Ad We earn commissions from purchases you make » read more

The 10 best board games to buy in the UK

Picture of a board game

Most of us have tried a board game at some point in our lives. Fun, exciting, and very sociable, there are many reasons to invest in a great board game, but choosing a new one is certainly easier said than done for many. While classic board games such as Monopoly are well-known and easy to understand, finding a newer board game can be the challenge considering all the choices out there! Finding the best board game for your personal tastes may take some time and research, but is certainly very rewarding when done!

Looking for the best board games available today? Take a look below for all the information you need!

What are board games?

A board game is a tabletop game played on a board. Typically containing counters of some description, the pieces are moved around pre-marked surfaces on the board in accordance with whatever the rules of the game dictate. There tends to be a goal of some kind in a board game, with players or teams competing to achieve this, and therefore winning the game.

A good board game will involve a degree of skill needed to win, while some also include chance, with others not even requiring skill and thus relying solely on chance. Modern board games are wide and varied, so rules and playing tactics can be very different depending on the game.

Why should you buy a good board game?

The best board games offer endless hours of fun. Whether with friends, family, or a combination of both, you can expect to have a very enjoyable time when playing a great board game. Also, as there such an incredible range of board games available, it’s easy to find one that you enjoy. Moreover, board games provide a traditional source of entertainment that’s often lost in modern technology or games for computers and smartphones. As they mostly require several people to play, a good board game is a very sociable form of entertainment that has a lot of replay value!

How to choose the right board game in 2024?

Another picture of a board game

Now, there finding the best board game is all about personal taste. As a form of entertainment, what you enjoy is purely subjective, so it can be difficult to know what might the better type of board game for you to play.

Here are some things that should make finding a great board game easier:

  • Age: There are many classic board games that are suitable for people of all ages, but many modern board games are better suited for adults. So, it’s a good idea to know what age group will mostly be playing it, as you don’t want to buy a game that’s too difficult for children or respectively too easy for adults!
  • Number of Players: Certain board games are designed to be played between groups while others are only for two players. It’s often a good idea to buy both two-player board games, such as chess or checkers, and group board games, such as Monopoly, to cover all bases!
  • Complexity: Even adult board games can be quite difficult to understand, so you’ll want to consider how complex the board game might be. For instance, many feel the best board games are quick, easy and require less strategy, such as snakes and ladders, while others will love a more complex game rooted in strategy and tactics, such as Risk.
  • Playing Length: Even a great board game doesn’t have to take too long to play, but some players will want a lengthy game to really enjoy the experience. For example, board games that last an hour or under are often viewed as great choices for children, while longer games that take several hours may be best suited for adults. However, not every adult wants to play a board game for hours, so be sure to look at this when choosing a potential game.

What is the best kind of board game in the UK?

There are simply too many types of board games to name – they date back centuries after all! However, there are certain types of games that are very popular and are worth checking out when looking for the best board game:

  • Traditional Board Games: This includes some of the oldest board games that remain popular today. Many view them as timeless, and possibly the best type of board games out there. Examples include chess and backgammon.
  • Children’s Board Games: Many classic board games are considered children’s, yet they are also certainly great for adults although they tend to rely more on chance than skill or strategy. Perfect for playing as a family, children’s board games include Snakes and ladders, Mousetrap, and Operation!
  • Party Board Games: Designed for larger groups, party board games are often adult-orientated, although teenagers and older children will likely be able to play too. The best types of board games for playing as teams, examples include Trivial Pursuit.
  • Classic Board Games: Perhaps the best-known types of board games, these are games that while different in play style, are known for being timeless and offering lots of replay value. Scrabble, Monopoly, and Risk are all prime examples of classic board games.

Top 10 list of board games in the UK (2024)

The bestseller list compares brands and their board games. Which board game is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Goliath 929913.006 board game
Goliath Games Presents: The Traitors - Official Board Game | Based…
  • Will they split the fund? Or try and take it for themselves? Get them before they…
  • The two players with the most gold will compete for the prize fund.
  • The Traitor will play to earn the right to murder at night, and all the Faithfuls…
BUY NOW
TOP 2
Image of Pendragon Studios PG925 board game
Pendragon Studios: The Thing 1982: The Board Game - The Official Board…
  • For 1-8 players, 60-120 minutes playing time. Ages 13 plus.
  • Discuss with your companions with rising paranoia about who is still human and to…
  • The official board game based on the cult movie of 1982. Eight characters with different…
BUY NOW
Offer TOP 3
Image of OUTSMARTED! A1-3 board game
OUTSMARTED! The Live Family Quiz Show Board Game | Ages 8+ | Trivia…
  • BESPOKE GAMING: Outsmarted comes with 6, 500 questions across six ‘core’…
  • WORLD’S FIRST REMOTE PLAY BOARD GAME: Your friends & family can now join…
  • ALWAYS UP TO DATE: Say goodbye to tired, outdated questions, Outsmarted’s six…
BUY NOW
TOP 4
Image of Starling Games HPGGSUH2600 board game
Starling Games HPGGSUH2600 Everdell 2nd Edition, Board Game, 40-80…
  • Everdell is easy to learn, yet offers satisfying strategic depth and endless rep…
  • Utilising a tableau-building mechanic, players will work to build a city of critters…
  • Everdell is a streamlined worker placement game that features a detailed world realised…
BUY NOW
TOP 5
Image of Big Potato HERD01 board game
Herd Mentality Board Game: The Udderly Addictive Family Game for Adults…
  • One of the best board games for families, adults, teens and kids aged 10+.
  • If your answer is in the majority, you win cows. If you’re the odd one out,…
  • Flip over a question and guess what your family and friends are thinking
BUY NOW
TOP 6
Image of Awaken Realms LOR-CB-K board game
Lords of Ragnarok Board Game (Core Box) - Strategic Asymmetric Warfare,…
  • NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This thrilling fantasy game for adults and…
  • THRILLING VICTORY CONDITIONS: Stay on the edge of your seat as multiple victory conditions…
  • FANTASY GAME: Earn the favor of the gods, who bestow blessings upon you with profound…
BUY NOW
TOP 7
Image of Gamely GUL-EN-01 board game
Gullible: The hilarious team game of creativity, bluffing and astonishing…
  • GREAT FUN AND GOOD FOR THE WORLD. When you buy a Gamely game, you’re not just…
  • ONE OF FRANCE’S BEST SELLING GAMES COMES TO THE UK! Gullible is the UK version…
  • THE TRIVIA GAME WHERE YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW THE FACTS! In Gullible you don’t…
BUY NOW
TOP 8
Image of BIRDWOOD GAMES BW1001 board game
Dog Park, The Fun Strategy Board Game by Birdwood Games for Family…
  • DOG WALKING GAME: More than 160 unique dogs await your love and care in Dog Park,…
BUY NOW
TOP 9
Image of Big Potato 106578 board game
You Can’t Say Umm: Board Game for Adults and Kids, Fun Family…
  • QUICK TO LEARN EASY TO PLAY: Learn to play in 60 seconds! A super-simple party game…
  • THINGS GET INTERESTING: Try avoiding words that begin with C, or doing all your cards…
  • MADE FOR GAME NIGHT: Crazy card game combos, a noisy bell and the other team watching…
BUY NOW
TOP 10
Image of Ravensburger 27029 board game
Ravensburger Alien Fate of the Nostromo - Strategy Board Games for…
  • Clear Instructions – Learn to play with a clear, high-quality, step-by-step…
  • Each game comes with 1x Nostromo game board, 5x player reference cards, 5x Crew placards,…
  • The Game plays 1 to 5 players ages 10+ and up and takes approximately 60 minutes…
BUY NOW
Affiliate Disclosure

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. Last Update: 2024/07/27.