Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 01

SHOPPING DESTINATIONS
With one-of-a-kind independent boutiques, selling antiques,
arts and crafts, books, fashion, jewellery and clothing, historic
department stores, markets and entire shopping villages, there
is an abundance of shopping destinations to be enjoyed
Words: Emma Johnson
PERHAPS IT’S DOWN to its history as a main arterial
route between the east and west of southern
England, flanked partly by the Thames. Or because
it wends its way through some of the most beautiful
and sought-after English countryside around. Whatever
the reason, the Great West Way boasts some of the
most wonderful cities, towns and villages for indulging
all your retail desires. Whether you want to pick up a few
mementos of your trip from local artisans in Marlborough
and Windsor, rummage through the antiques shops in
Hungerford and Tetbury,
or splash out on renowned
British brands in Bath and
Richmond, shopping along
the Great West Way is both
diverse and inspiring.
LONDON-INSPIRED
At the beginning of your journey west, make a stop in
Richmond, where you can find upcycling and preloved
beauties at Mary’s Living and Giving; quirky home décor
in Anthropologie; 30th Century Comics, who specialise in
back issues of every comic ever made; and The Open Book,
an independent bookshop with an amazing range and
knowledgeable staff. Richmond also has a Whole Foods
Market.
And, don’t miss shopping in Kew too, close by and a
lovely place to shop, with a number of wonderful galleries,
especially those whose artists are inspired by their
botanical surroundings. Next to each other, the Marianne
North Galley and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical
Art are both well worth a visit. While at Christmas, a showstopping
trail of festive light installations runs through
“The Great West Way boasts some of
the most wonderful cities, towns and
villages for indulging all your retail
desires.”
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew until early January, with more
than a million pretty fairy lights installed along the route
and a festive market selling homemade food and gifts.
TOWN AND COUNTRY
From Richmond and Kew, you’ll journey away from the
big city and soon find yourself in delightful little towns
whose independent shops and boutiques have been
steadfastly preserved. A beautiful and historic town,
Windsor is also somewhere that prides itself on having a
thriving and popular high street. Many important British
names, from Jigsaw and Jo
Malone to Joules and Hobbs
London are here, located in
the beautiful Windsor Royal
Shopping centre, previously
the old station booking hall,
and a glorious glass-covered
atrium, with numerous
shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. Close by, you’ll also find
country outfitters Barbour, tailors New & Lingwood (just
over the river in neighbouring Eton) and just outside of
town, Windsor Farm Shop and Café which sources meat
and game from the royal estate, and also sells local honey,
craft ales, flowers and fresh produce, as well as royal
estate gifts and hampers.
Close by, beautiful Henley on Thames is a smart,
chic town with a great mix of independent shops and
carefully chosen brands. Amidst the likes of classic British
homeware brand Laura Ashley, luxury beauty store Space
NK and British fashion names Joules, Crew, White Stuff
and Whistles, you’ll also find Fluidity - a chic fashion store
which recently shot to fame as the store responsible for
Prime Minister Theresa May’s eclectic wardrobe; as well
62 GreatWestWay.co.uk