Head to Toe, Cornwall
Left your bikini at home? Looking for a slice of Cornwall to take back to your friends? Seeking something special to remind you of your favourite holiday spot? No problem. Discover what our top independent shops have in store…
Dining out the veranda, sunning on the beach, or striding through streets; your unique summer wardrobe (and all your must-have accessories) are in the bag this year, thanks to Padstow’s host of amazing independent stores. But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what three of our favourite local shops have to say about their bountiful bazaars.
Colourful boutique knitwear
“Blossom Clothing Cornwall champions real clothes for real women,” explains co-owner Clare Cross. “My designs are relaxed, simple and stylish and my passion is for colour.”
Blossom clothing was established 13 years ago, when Rick and Jill Stein gave Clare the opportunity to supply their gift shop in Padstow with a t-shirt. “My business ‘blossomed’ from there,” Clare explains, “and my focus led me to knitwear.”
Influenced by Cornish coastal living, Clare’s shop is located inside Trevisker Garden Centre, so immediately customers are surrounded by fabulous colours and scents.
“Walking into my shop you will find my own label of clothing, made in small quantities,” she continues, “as well as plenty of unique gifts sourced from my market days around the UK, and my travels abroad.”
Blossom’s holiday hero product:
– “It’s knitted from silk and folds so small it fits in your handbag! It doesn’t matter how old or what size you are – customers love it and a it’s a great price too.”
Hand-drawn coastal clothing
Coastees was set up in 2014 to “give Cornwall’s guests a chance to take home a piece of the places they’ve visited and loved”, says owner Richard Bond, otherwise known as Bondy.
“I started by drawing the beaches where I live, surf and grew up; Porthcothan, Constantine, Booby’s and many other,” he continues. “ Since then, I’ve branched out into other parts of Cornwall and Devon too. It’s the individual character and detail of each piece of coastline that drives Coastees.”
So how does it work? Bondy recognised that Harbour Holidays guests, locals and visitors will all have their favourite beaches and coves, so Coastees customers can simply select the images they desire and choose the product to have it feature on. Constantine on a bag? Done. Trevone on a t-shirt? Simple.
“Having so many images means that I stock these designs geographically – logistically this can be a bit tricky so I have an online shop too,” Bondy concludes. “We regularly post our merchandise all over the country and even the world for free!”
Coastees holiday hero product:
“It’s up to each individual customer and their experience in North Cornwall to select what their special memory is and which product will best suit them. So the perfect product? Take your pick!”
Coastal lifestyle, fashion and swimwear boutique
With an eclectic mix of interiors, clothing, swimwear and accessories, The Salty Vault in St Merryn was established in 2015, and is a must visit for fashion seekers with a bold streak.
“Salty Vault swimwear was inspired by providing a pocket in bikini bottoms for an aquatic lifestyle,” says owner Bev Christian. “Had it not been for living by the coast and being an active water user, the brand and inspiration would never have happened.”
So what can you expect when you step through the doors of The Salty Vault? “It’s always summer in here,” says Bev. “With an eclectic mix of interiors, fashion, accessories and gifts in store, there’s something for everyone.” And if you need a boost during your shop, you can pick up a coffee in store too.
Bev’s exclusive swimwear range has been featured in July’s edition of Prima magazine and Surfgirl Magazine Bikini Guide 2017.
The Salty Vault’s holiday hero product:
– “If there’s one thing we recommend you pick up while you’re here, it’s one of our colour-popping Saulty Vault Swimwear bikinis, designed and made right here in Cornwall – the perfect partner for Cornwall’s seaside.”
