RMC's The Cave in Stroud

[Vimster]

I'm sure there are plenty of people here who subscribe to RMC The Cave or RetroManCave as was on Youtube, and if you do you'll know he has recently opened a retro gaming space in an old mill just outside Stroud.

 

Anyway, thanks to a fellow forumite I had the pleasure of spending most of the day there today. It was a Patreon's get-together but I got in on a plus one, although after seeing the place I'm keen to jump on it as it really is impressive.

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of computers and consoles set up, you can change the games on them. Big section with magazines you can sit and have a read of too.

 

 

You can book a visit - https://rmcretro.store/visit-the-cave/

 

Open Saturdays with two three-hour sessions at £12.50 per session. I was there all day and couldn't fit everything in so you'd have to make the most of it. It's a bit out of the way and definitely easier to get to if you're driving, although we had a nice walk along the canal to get there. And if you're lucky you'll bump into RMC Neil who was a lovely fella, had a chat with him.

 

First time I'd ever used a Sharp X68000 or a PC Engine.

 

It's rare to see a place this packed with retro goodness, and at least on the day I was there it had a good atmosphere.

[SuperFamiTom]

Love the RMC videos and weekly podcast. 
 

Not sure I’d ever make the trip from here up North, but it does look really good. 

[Vimster]

It's not that far up north, Gloucestershire. In fact it's nice to have something down south.

[SuperFamiTom]

No, I mean I’m up North. Gloucestershire is very much down South for me. 

[cassidy]

Visiting in June. Just to experience a X68000.

[Ninja Doctor]

It’s on my list to pop along to at some point. 

[merman]

Would love to go, I love the idea of the recreated old software shop (and the clever setup that lets you scan and play a game from the shelves).

[Vespa Alex]

Nice set of photos. I’m waiting for a free weekend then I’m going. It looks like the perfect companion to arcade club. 

[PikaStu]

Big fan of the YouTube channel, I’d like to visit here one day. Bit of a drive from Fife tho 😢

[Wiper]

All the years my dad would drag me to Stroud from Gloucester so I could get bored out of my mind while he got drunk, yet now there's finally something I'd enjoy there and I live three hours away by train, never mind the rest of the journey

 

That does look really cool, though — I may have to take a trip down at some point. 

[Vespa Alex]

I’ve booked for the morning of the 2nd July, and am really looking forward to it.  

[Yasawas]

Lovely stuff, great to see more pics and to hear it's living up to expectations. Realistically I'll probably never get there but having been a fan of the channel for a while now and it's really pleasing to see what he's achieved in the last few years - from all those alphabetic, community lockdown streams to this!

[cassidy]

Spent all day at the cave today. And what an utter delight it has been. 

 

I had goosebumps walking into the computer store section.  With the boxes of old cassette games all on display. It was like being 8 again and visiting John Menzies. 

 

The highlight for me was the Sharp X68000.  

 

What a machine. And the sound and graphics it produces are just mind-blowing. 

 

If you like retro you should really visit. 

[Fletch]

Man I’m only a few miles from there I need to get hooked in a pop along, it looks ace. 

[Vespa Alex]

It was indeed awesome. Highly recommended. 

[layten]

I'm visiting on the 25th (an official Cave Dweller day!). Looking forward to it quite a bit.

[cassidy]

I'll be visiting again once that arcade opens downstairs. 

[Vespa Alex]

1 hour ago, cassidy said:

I'll be visiting again once that arcade opens downstairs. 

Same here. 

[Camel]

How does visiting this place work? Looks like you need to book but there are no current "open days".

[Vimster]

3 hours ago, Camel said:

How does visiting this place work? Looks like you need to book but there are no current "open days".

There's a link in the first post to the booking page. You book a morning or an afternoon session. The open days are for RMC's patreons. 

[Camel]

Yes, I clicked the link to the booking page but there doesn't seem to be a way of actually making a booking. Maybe I'm being dim.

[Vespa Alex]

39 minutes ago, Camel said:

Yes, I clicked the link to the booking page but there doesn't seem to be a way of actually making a booking. Maybe I'm being dim.

Nope, there’s just no slots available at the moment. There’s normally a couple of months available. 

[Vimster]

Crikey, it's that popular?

[ucci]

The bald fella who runs this, his voice sounds remarkably familiar to those game review videos years ago with the stencil characters and black outline, but I thought he was an ex pat down in Australia? 

[Vimster]

27 minutes ago, ucci said:

The bald fella who runs this, his voice sounds remarkably familiar to those game review videos years ago with the stencil characters and black outline, but I thought he was an ex pat down in Australia? 

Totally different guys. Neil has a more Hampshire sort of accent.

[layten]

Plenty of slots available for Patreon donor only days.

[ucci]

38 minutes ago, Vimster said:

Totally different guys. Neil has a more Hampshire sort of accent.

Cheers! 

[gone fishin]

20 hours ago, layten said:

Plenty of slots available for Patreon doner only days.

Doner kebabs in the cave sounds tempting, but they need to improve those photos. It’s like an advert for Morrisey’s stag do.

[layten]

12 hours ago, gone fishin said:

Doner kebabs in the cave sounds tempting, but they need to improve those photos. It’s like an advert for Morrisey’s stag do.

Much like food shopping, posting when hungry can be risky.  

[layten]

Worse ways to spend a Sunday.