One of the best things about living in Ludlow is how close we are to other historically interesting, lovely towns that are well worth visiting to browse and shop. This week the focus is on Leominster.
Be unique shop antique!
Lying 7 miles south of Ludlow, this market town is usually associated with ‘antiques’. However, there are still many appealing antique and vintage stores for you to spend time slowly having a look around.
You can move from room to room and find all sorts of quirky things you never realised you needed. Quite a few of them have frontages that belie the vast spaces they inhabit, like those on Broad Street. You are spoiled for choice. The best is stumbling onto hidden stores on the side roads away from the light hubbub in the main thoroughfares.
One of my best antique finds is my mid Century Danish teak coffee table from Leominster. In fact, I have found clothing and gardening decor and quite a few of the small plates currently sitting beneath my potted plants while in my happy place browsing, sifting and sorting in Leominster antique stores.
Check out Leominster Antique Centre House, which houses goods from several dealers, and you may even be able to barter. Or what do you know about antique barometers and clocks? No matter how little or how much, we suggest you immerse yourself at The Barometer Shop. They have over 300 clocks, barometers, and antique furniture for sale. If you need a tea break between browsing, nothing beats the rambling Grade II listed black and white that is The Merchants House in Corn Square. It’s a café and an antique centre. If you like tools or appreciate craftsmanship, you’ll love the wonderful Albion Emporium, which is also in The Merchants House.
And, more to try
- No 14, 14 Broad St
- The Secondhand Warehouse, Chatelain House, New St
- Pughs Interiors and Antiques, Portley House, North Road
- Stockmoor Antiques, 10-12 Broad St
A breath of fresh…clothing
If you want a more modern spin to your fashion shopping or, hey, to possibly mix and match, try out one of my favourite shops, noted. The co-owners are always welcoming and smiling. The curated fashion lines are just the right side of contemporary for me, with upmarket pieces that are timeless, top quality and at the right price point. I also floated into aRTy, which has recently opened and chatted to owner Rebecca. The store is an offshoot of her passion for creating things and is a family affair, with her mother and brother contributing to the eclectic but small range of clothing, homemade gifts and jewellery. They don’t have regular opening times but worth a trip down West St to see if they are.
Getting aRTy in Leominster Photo LGL
And, more to try
- aRTy (clothing and handmade gift store Opening times variable), West St
- Sassy, 35 High St
- Amelia Jack (clothing and homewares), No 13-15 High St
Food, glorious food
Along with the vintage spirit, a discernible theme of eco-consciousness is beginning to take root in Lem Lem. According to owner Steve, the Eco Shop, Biobab, in the Buttercross Arcade, has been going for a few years.
He’s a busy man as his shop has an enviable range of eco-friendly products for cleaning, toiletries and gift items, all with the sole purpose of helping to make the earth a better place to live. So, no nasties in cleaning and toiletries; you can bring in your containers and get refills. We all know things need to change; let’s start by consciously trying to shop more sustainably.
There’s also the organic food shop, Wholefood on West Street opens daily, stocking fresh, organic vegetables, fruits, eggs, bread and baked goods. But, of course, they have other cupboard staples and body care items too. There are great greengrocers and butchers in town too. Howard Moseley in Drapers Lane is highly recommended.
Time to rest and eat
You won’t starve in Leominster. There are many cafes for coffee and a bite to eat for breakfast and lunch. But here are some of the highlights:
Saverys (great for early starts)
20 Broad St
Coffee#1 Leominster
Corn Square
35 West (go in, buy a book and a coffee and settle in a comfy seat)
West St
Flying Dutchman (popular cafe)
9-13 Corn Square
Draper’s Lane Delicatessen (indoor and outdoor seating and a whole range of goodies)
27 Drapers Lane
Best of all the rest
Besides great places to eat, vintage, food and clothing shops, don’t forget to visit two more in Drapers Lane, the excellent Rossiter Bookshop and the brand new gift shop Motif.
Then for a bit more architectural focus, look at the lengthy listed buildings in Leominster here. A top priority should be to visit the beautiful ancient church, Leominster Priory, which still retains some Norman elements. You can read more about its history here. Close by is Grade II 400-year-old listed timber-framed market hall, Grange Court. It’s free to enter, and it has an on-site cafe.
While we can’t list everything to do and see in Leominster, we’ve hopefully shone the light on this terrific market town. Now go visit!
Useful links
Visit Leominster Tourism for more things to do and places to stay in and around Leominster.
