One of my bugbears in life is the loss of small independent shops. The economy and rent and rates price these shops out of our high streets, it's a crying shame! Do we really want identical high streets selling the same things? I know I don't! So I try and support small shops with my custom. One of my favourite places to shop is the nearby Kentish town of Cranbrook. A lovely town with a wealth of small shops full of interesting individual things. Not only shops but cafes and restaurants and a few good pubs. Nearby Sissinghurst Castle, Leeds Castle and many more historical attractions add to it's interest. So on my last visit I took a few photos of my favourite places in Cranbrook.
You are guaranteed to find something beautiful at Spice which is housed in a lovely medieval building |
The lovely Claire Hamilton who owns Spice |
So much to choose from! |
Beautiful china |
There are two lovely florists in Cranbrook |
The V. Chic Boutique specialising in nearly new clothes |
Always a warm welcome from the lovely Jan Moloney owner of V.Chic |
Oooh! Handbags and shoes galore as well as jewellery, perfume and everything a woman could want! |
Great Italian café who does the best Panini I have ever tasted |
A walk through the 12th century churchyard and straight ahead The George Hotel |
The George Hotel is a beautiful medieval building |
One of the lovely rooms at The George Hotel. Always meet my friends at The George |
Tim Johnson outside Apicius his Michelin star restaurant and one of my favs! |
The food at Apicius is to die for! |
Even my bank is attractive! |
And back past the beautiful Church to the FREE car park, all car parks in Cranbrook are FREE |
I cannot remember the last time I went to a big shopping centre, I have no interest in the generic shops and when I have been always come away feeling ill and claustrophobic, give me small and some fresh air and I am happy! Please try and support your small local shops if you can, otherwise they will disappear forever.