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soaps and jewellery, there are also delightful pieces for the home, including stylish ceramics, statement mugs and Frida Kahlo cushions. Not only that, but you can pick up handy gadgets like ring lights, brightly coloured Bluetooth speakers and mini USB hubs with pastel detailing. For those in the market for striking contemporary art, head to Heath Kane Studio and Gallery , where bold block colours and pop-art Mickey Mouse ears emerge from dark grey walls covered in subversive art. Heath Kane transforms iconic figures from fiction and politics, adding a mischievous twist to evoke an emotional response, and as one of the few contemporary art galleries in Saffron Walden, it is a must for any culture lovers visiting the town. The works are available to purchase.
When it comes to shopping, Saffron Walden is a treasure trove, teeming with independent businesses, furniture stores and clothing boutiques. A visit to Olive and Olive ’s new showroom just outside of town is the ultimate retail therapy fix, as you peruse a beautiful collection for the home, hand- selected by founder Karen Sisterson. “I choose pieces very carefully that will enhance any interior, and only include what I would love to see in my own home!” enthuses Karen. “My range is wide and diverse, with lighting, mirrors, candles, chairs, trays, footstools, cushions and frames, among others. The new barn showroom is the perfect accompaniment; it’s a warm, inviting and welcoming space for people to come, browse and relax.” Visit by appointment, at any time between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. One place to add to your Saffron Walden bucket list is Talents , a charming gift shop that’s a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike. An ornate black shopfront entices you in, to discover a giddying array of products chosen with beauty and sustainability in mind. As well as classic gift options such as candles,
ALL OVER THE SHOPS Olive and Olive stocks everything your home could need (top left), Talents is a hidden gem of the high street (top right) and Heath Kane is full of irreverence (above and below) If you happen to be in town on a Tuesday or Saturday, then pay a visit to Saffron Walden Market , which has been held since the medieval period. Surrounded by Victorian buildings and watched over by the Georgian Town Hall, the iconic market bustles with pop-up stalls selling freshly baked bread, fruit, veg, coffee, plants, antiques, clothing, jewellery and much more besides.
PLAY TIME
More youthful family members – and the young at heart – will revel in a trip to The Toy Box, where shelves heave with action figures, dolls’ houses, garden toys, playsets and more. It’s the perfect place to pick out a birthday treat for a little one, or go in search of a pick-me-up on a rainy day.
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