Rothbury's Shopping
Rothbury is packed with independent shops and galleries, it is the perfect example of what a Village or small Town should provide for it's residents and visitors. You can buy everything you could need in Rothbury from new shoes to a rare bottle of wine. The vast majority of shops in Rothbury are on High Street and although there is free parking it does get incredibly congested so we would suggest using one of the main car parks. Below you will find Your complete guide to Shopping in Rothbury.
Thomas Rogerson's, also known as Simonside Footwear is somewhat of a legend within my family. Need a new pair of shoes? walking shoes? trainers? The first place we will look is here. Every time you visit, the stock seems to be completely different so if you see something you like (and you will) buy it there and then. I can't begin to imagine how many pairs of shoes we have bought from here over the last 25 years!
JR Soulsby and Sons is a fantastic old fashioned toy shop. It's crammed with toys for all ages and is guaranteed to take you back to your childhood. Otterburn Mill is also a perennial favourite, with a good variety of clothing on offer for men, women and children, although it is mostly clothing for walking.
Other shops in the Village include:
Teasel's women's clothing, Stuart Wiggins Radio and Television Engineers, Millers of Stanley women's clothing, Boots Pharmacy, RSPCA charity shop, Otterburn Mill clothing, JR Soulsby and Sons toy shop, Keen Wood furniture, a newsagents, Colliedog Computers, Red Grouse Gallery toys gifts and taxidermy, Coccuveda crafts and gifts, Post Office, Crown Studio Gallery, Bridgedale Antiques and TW Alderson and Sons hardware store.
Art, Crafts and Galleries
There is a good mix of art, crafts and galleries in Rothbury. Crown Studio Gallery is located on Bridge Street and is owned and run by painter Lynda Taylor and ceramic artist Graham Taylor. The Gallery has a constantly changing display of fine art pottery, paintings, jewellery, craft works, prints and cards by their resident artists. Lynda's paintings, especially for me, her landscape work is absolutely stunning and we are proud to have one of her finest adorn our wall at home.
The Red Grouse Gallery on Bridge Street is known as an 'aladdins cave' of model kits, models, toys and games. Other services on offer are engraving and taxidermy of birds and mammals (not pets). You can also buy your fishing tackle here along with fishing permits for river trout. Also on Bridge Street is Coccuveda Gifts and Crafts, home to a unique collection of original arts and crafts made by local 'crafters'. The shop is also a workshop for owner Loraine Lawson who makes handmade fascinators, headpieces, tiaras amongst other things. It's definitely worth popping in for a browse in this unique shop, there's always complimentary tea and coffee too!
The Coqetdale Arts Centre is a charitable organisation that was set up in 1975 to showcase local artists. They have a large gallery that exhibits more than 100 local artists, all of which are available to purchase. They also run classes throughout the year for all levels and abilities. Their website has an online gallery and lots of information about the artists that are currently showing. The centre is in the Court Buildings on Front Street and is manned by volunteers and is open from Easter to Christmas 6 days a week. Lastly we have Rothbury's newest addition to the arts scene, The Congregational Art Gallery and Cafe. They show original paintings, prints and other works in a Grade II listed building setting with a cafe, sofas and a big log fire. The Congregational is located on the West end of High Street.
Food Shopping and Supermarkets
Rothbury has an award-winning selection of local, independent shops in which you can get all of your food needs. There is Tully's Deli on High Street, the specialist in Fairly Traded, Organic, Vegetarian, Dietary, Ecological and other ethical produce. They are also the last surviving traditional Village Store in the Coquet Valley and offer local deliveries and a mail order service. Also on High Street is the Rothbury Bakery famous for their pies and 'Fruit and Veg, Flowers and Foiliage' which is fairly self explanatory. Moving further along High Street you will find Rothbury Wines, a shop that stocks unique products that they know extremely well. If they wouldn't recommend it, they wouldn't sell it!
Next is the multi-award winning Rothbury Family Butchers, perhaps most famous for their fantastic 'Cragside Cracker' which is an absolutely beautifully flavoured sausage. All their meat is locally sourced if at all possible and they are widely regarded as one of the country's top sausage makers, you can even order and buy online on their website. Greenwell Bakery is still further along the High Street and they do a mean sausage roll and serve teas and coffees. Lastly, there is a Co-op food store, also on the High Street, although why you would need to shop here with all these amazing independent shops on your doorstep I don't know!
Have we missed something? Can you recommend a shop, or local business? Or maybe you have a business you would like to be included? Let us know.