I had a trip to Rochester today with my friend Karina. She is as thrilled as me to spend time browsing in junk shops, and, it turned out, art shops and fabric shops too! Rochester is in Kent. It has a cathedral, a castle, a river and some very pretty old buildings, and all within about 25 minutes of home. Charles Dickens lived at Gad's Hill Place near the town, and lots of local events centre on Dickens. It became Cloisterham in Dickens' novel "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (his last, and unfinished story) 
We visited lots of interesting shops. There is a really good art shop, a lovely quilting shop and various antiques and junk shops. I was able to get some old postcards for a painting project I have in mind, some lovely fabric, and some paper sewing patterns for collage. The shop I liked the best was Fieldstaff Antiques. It has beautiful displays and a great array of vintage goodies.
We visited lots of interesting shops. There is a really good art shop, a lovely quilting shop and various antiques and junk shops. I was able to get some old postcards for a painting project I have in mind, some lovely fabric, and some paper sewing patterns for collage. The shop I liked the best was Fieldstaff Antiques. It has beautiful displays and a great array of vintage goodies.It also has very friendly owners, one of whom-Jane-didn't mind at all that I wanted to take photos-so thanks Jane-your shop is lovely!
The shop has three floors-so plenty to explore. Their website will give you a fun sepia tour of the shop.
There were all sorts of tempting things. In the end I chose six delicate little pairs of scissors. You can never have enough scissors. Or that is what I am telling myself.
The sun came out as we were leaving, making this gold and blue swag gleam prettily.
The shop has three floors-so plenty to explore. Their website will give you a fun sepia tour of the shop.
There were all sorts of tempting things. In the end I chose six delicate little pairs of scissors. You can never have enough scissors. Or that is what I am telling myself.
The sun came out as we were leaving, making this gold and blue swag gleam prettily.
8 comments:
Oh Sarah- I SO have Kentish envy! What a fun day and yes, one can never have enough pairs of scissors.
The manequin heads are fun too, sort of creepy but cool.
I will be seeing you soon! Cool.
We are staying in Orpington.thats in Kent right?
Do you know of things I should go to and not miss?(food, antiques, arts, galleries, Manor houses of historic houses.and castles in London? I will be there Monday-Friday when I see you.hope we get a little bit to eat together) Is this place in Kent near where I am staying? Thank you for the cool post.
What a wonderful day out - I wish I could have been there with you!!
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I haven't been to Rochester for years but used to walk every day to school there between the ages of 5 and 11. I always liked Rochester, the castle, the cathedral, the Vines, Droods the antique shop, Dales the grocer . . . (Did get a bit tired of Dickensia everywhere though ;-))Glad you had an enjoyable day :-)
i love Rochester - did you go into the 'biggest secondhand bookshop in england'? an aladdin's cave
Oh and yet another thing to schlep around in when I fly over... and I love the storefronts. Gorgeous, esp in that gleaming light.
Show us those scissors, Madame! You are quite right, you can never have too many of good tools.
Candace
Oh I so loved journeying vicariously through your great photos- what a great day you had shopping and seeing the sights. Thanks for sharing this fun day!
Awesome shots!!! Those antique bits and pieces shops look fantastic - they are just the sort of shops I adore trawling through for hours! Love the detail on that building too!
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