Clearance

You can buy board games from supermarkets, toy chains and online marketplaces, but for wooden, heirloom-quality games built to last more than a single Christmas, Jaques of London is worth a look. We have made games since 1795 and our clearance section offers the same craftsmanship at reduced prices, shipped directly from our London base.

For plastic-free, genuinely durable games, specialist makers like Jaques of London offer something the big retailers rarely stock: games made from solid wood with proper joinery and pieces that feel good in the hand. Our clearance collection is a practical starting point if you want that quality without paying full price.

Each game in our clearance section carries the same age guidance as when it was at full price, so check the individual product page. Many of our wooden games suit children from three or four upwards, though some strategy games are better from age six or seven. The age label is our honest recommendation, not a legal minimum.

Wood is heavier in the hand, quieter on a table and does not crack or warp the way thin plastic does after a few years of use. A solid wooden board or set of pieces can pass from one child to the next and still look respectable a decade later. That longevity is why Jaques has used wood as its primary material since 1795.

Keep wooden games away from prolonged damp and direct heat, both of which can cause warping over time. Wipe pieces with a lightly damp cloth rather than soaking them. Store the game flat or in its original box to protect any inlaid surfaces. Treated sensibly, a well-made wooden game needs very little maintenance and improves with handling.

Yes, particularly because the quality is identical to full-price stock. A reduced Jaques game still arrives in a presentable box, still carries our name and still plays exactly as intended. If you are buying for a birthday or Christmas and want something that looks considered rather than last-minute, clearance games work very well.

Think about who is playing and how often. For families who play together regularly, a classic strategy game like chess or draughts rewards repeated use. For younger children, tactile games with larger wooden pieces are easier to manage. If the recipient is new to board games, look for something with a short ruleset and a play time under thirty minutes.