Yesterday I walked into Wallingford, Oxfordshire to check out the vintage and craft shops. Its worth a drive here if these things interest you, and also the have a few antique shops, and an awesome antique arcade. I saw some beautiful things in the shops and chatted with most of the people running them too.
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| Feathers and Nest |
As you walk up the high street from the Thames, you firstly come to Feathers and nest. Here I met Meryl, the owners mother, who has her own separate business making childrens soft furnishings. She was very bubbly, and has suggested I pop to her house as she has lots of curtain fabrics she no longer wants (what a bonus). This is quite a large store filled with interesting and contemporary items for the home, and some gifts too. I was most impressed
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| Catherines Cafe |
A bit further up, in the corner is Catherines Cafe. A vintage style tea room which has upstairs seating too, with sofas and a wide selection of childrens books, so you can take your time if you have little ones with you. There are many lovely independent cafes and tea shops in Wallingford (as well as a few larger corporatons), but Im pleased to say Wallingford Council are big in promoting independent businesses. I went for coffee at the Old Post Office, a huge contemporary eatery and drinks place, with adequate outside seating.
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| Sew Very Vintage |
As you walk down the lovely cobbled road, there is a Clarkes shoe shop, independent book and clothes shops, a huge DIY shop and Mias favourite Ye Old Fashioned Sweet Shop. Sew Very Vintage is a very classy business. They sell reproduction clothing, jewellery, and beautiful fabrics for patch-working and crafts. Sew very vintage have previously stocked Foxy Lady Creations clothing.
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| Raspberry Tart |
I absolutely love this shop. Here I met the staff, who were so happy to chat to you, I even said to them I would love to work there. They clearly love what they are doing, creating beautiful products and thinking up innovative ideas. They sell jewellery, clothing, homewares, pictures and various other craft items. A real treasure chest of goodies. I was really inspired by the giant knitting needles and massive balls of fabric (blankets cut up) with instructions to make funky knitted or crocheted poufees. I treated myself to a cool giant wooden ring.
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| Massive Balls and wooden needles |
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| Just Trading |
Just Trading stocks organic and Fair Trade products, great for you eco lovers. They even have a refilling service for your Ecover products, which will always get brownie points from me. They sell clothing, and nice Fair Trade items for the home (I managed to buy some incense, which I didnt think I would find in Wallingford. They also stock childrens clothing and storage hangers made by me!
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| Past and Presents |
My trip ends here at this lovely quaint gift shop, which sells old and new things. I do love looking at antiques, and bought myself something quite random, which I will show you another time. The lady in here was really friendly too, and we had enthusiastic chats about some of the vintage products they stocked. There were various other craft shops too, but Ive just picked my favourites. You really are spoilt for choice in Wallongford. My favourite places to live on my boat in the summer holidays.
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