Christmas shopping? Grasmere has it wrapped at the Heaton Cooper Studio

Lake District Christmas shoppers will have the chance to buy everything they need this year in Grasmere.

The Heaton Cooper Studio offers a Christmas shopping experience which is free from crowds and canned carols. In the bright and elegant galleries can be found ideas, inspiration and gifts for friends and family which are distinctive, unusual and beautifully designed.

Art predominates as this is the gallery of Lakeland’s most well-loved landscape painters, and the prints – or even originals – by Alfred and William Heaton Cooper have been treasured gifts for generations. But the beauty of their work permeates all the items on sale, from tiny Chinese white ceramic brush holders to huge framed masterpieces. The collection echoes the mantra of William Morris, to have “nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.

The “useful” includes painting and activity books for children alongside calligraphy sets, watercolours and brushes, and exquisite cedarwood pencils with silver plated caps. Exclusive to the UK are the Henri Roche pastels, hand-made in Paris by the family which supplied Degas, Whistler and other leading artists.

There are distinctive hanging photo frames, candle holders, ceramics, jewellery, and a family of enchanting wire-sculpted reindeer, along with greetings cards and a small collection of antiquarian books.

The studio is open daily from 9am till 5.30 pm.

http://www.heatoncooper.co.uk

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Art and jewellery at Windermere’s classy Christmas shopping venue

Windermere’s art, jewellery and gifts Christmas shopping experience starts this weekend at the Cedar Manor hotel.

A range of exclusive items all made by local designers will be on sale at the hotel throughout November.

The latest local artist to reach their shelves is Kendal-based Thuline de Cock whose striking horse, dog and cow images are on a new range of china mugs.

And a Christmas fair with a difference will be staged at the end of the month, with a most unusual Father Christmas grotto. Santa will be welcoming visitors and handing out presents in a seasonally decorated yurt in the hotel grounds.

The shopping experience is the idea of owners Caroline and Jonathan Kaye who have a small selection of jewellery, crafts and other locally produced items for sale in their welcome lounge all year round.

“Christmas shopping has become an ordeal,” said Jonathan. “In towns and cities the shops are bombarding customers with seasonal items earlier and earlier. There’s no sense of festivity any more, and going to big shopping outlets nearer Christmas can be a nightmare.

“We have some wonderful local designers who make jewellery, fine art, skin-care products, exclusive jams and chutneys, chocolates and wooden toys. Their work will be available here, without any of the crowds or the traffic jams of most shopping trips.”

The Christmas Fair, on Saturday November 29, will raise money for the charity Lupus UK which Caroline Kaye has been supporting this year. She took part in the Great North Run and has organised other events, and has raised more than £3000 so far. Next year she is running the London Marathon for the charity.

The fair, from 11.30am till 4pm, will feature afternoon teas and home-made mince pies as well as the Christmas grotto. It’s hope that a mystery celebrity guest will perform the official opening ceremony..

Throughout November, the hotel’s “shop” will be open till late each evening.  Said Jonathan:  “We know there are people who panic because it’s their wife or girlfriend’s birthday the next day and they’ve forgotten!  They are realising now that they can come here even at 9 at night and find a lovely present.

“It is also a great way for us to showcase the fantastic design talent that we have in this area.”

Windermere Christmas shopping the relaxing way

Christmas shopping is going to be a more relaxed affair this year in Windermere.

A range of exclusive gifts all made by local designers will be on sale at the Cedar Manor Hotel throughout November.

And  a Christmas fair with a difference will be staged at the end of the month, to highlight the work of local art and design talent , along with a promise of the best-ever mince pies.

The shopping experience is the idea of owners Caroline and Jonathan Kaye who have a small selection of jewellery, crafts and other locally produced items for sale in their welcome lounge all year round.

“Christmas shopping has become an ordeal,” said Jonathan. “In towns and cities the shops are bombarding customers with seasonal items earlier and earlier. There’s no sense of festivity any more, and going to big shopping outlets nearer Christmas can be a nightmare.

“We have some wonderful local designers who make jewellery, fine art, skin-care products, exclusive jams and chutneys, chocolates and wooden toys. Their work will be available here, without any of the crowds or the traffic jams of most shopping trips.”

The Christmas Fair, on Saturday November 29, will raise money for the charity Lupus UK which Caroline Kaye has been supporting this year. She took part in the Great North Run and has organised other events, and has raised more than £3000 so far. Next year she is running the London Marathon for the charity.

The fair, from 11.30am till 4pm,  will feature afternoon teas and mince pies made by a star local baker, and there will be a Father Christmas grotto for children.

Throughout November, the hotel’s “shop” will be open till late each evening.  Said Jonathan:  “We know there are people who panic because it’s their wife or girlfriend’s birthday the next day and they’ve forgotten!  They are realising now that they can come here even at 9 at night and find a lovely present.

“It is also a great way for us to showcase the fantastic design talent that we have in this area.”