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 busy so we would suggest using one of the main car parks before wandering into the village. Below you will find your complete guide to Shopping in Rothbury.
Thomas Rogerson's, formerly 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 35 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. They have a shop in Rothbury but it's also worth the drive up the valley to Otterburn itself where they have a huge factory shop and restaurant set in the old Mill.
Other shops in the Village include:
Boots Pharmacy, RSPCA charity shop, Otterburn Mill clothing, JR Soulsby and Sons toy shop, Colliedog Computers, Red Grouse Gallery toys gifts and taxidermy, Post Office (now in the Coop), 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.
Pots and Paws is on the entrance to the village when heading in from the East as most visitors do. It's a real treasure trove of homer decor, gifts, arts and crafts and interesting things that you didn't know you needed but definitely do! Elements on Townfoot opposite the Jubilee Hall is a Northern Artists and Crafters Cooperative.
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.
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 of Rothbury 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 the fruit and veg shop at the back of Flowers and Foliage.
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. Lastly, there is a Co-op food store, on Town Foot, 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.