Support local businesses close to your Strongvox home this festive season

Being a South-West based ‘independent’ ourselves, we love to support fellow independent businesses and are keen to help you shop local this Christmas. 

We’ve handpicked some amazing local independent producers and businesses based close to five Strongvox developments, to bring you some inspiring ideas for your Christmas shopping. Which development is your local? Most of these businesses have online shops too, so even if you can’t visit in person, a new gift could be just a click away!

Hit Bristol’s Gloucester Road – The Indie Capital Of Europe 

If you are heading into Bristol from Laurel Hill, the contemporary Strongvox development located north of the city near Cribbs Causeway and The Mall retail mecca, then hop on the number 76 bus and jump off on Gloucester Road. 

Gloucester Road reputedly offers the longest stretch of independent stores in Europe, so if you’re looking for a gift or Christmas outfit that’s a little different, this is the place to go! There’s an almost bewildering selection of shops, cafes, delis, restaurants and bars, interspersed with colourful street art. Head into Fox+Feather  for some of the best men’s and women’s fashion brands from across Europe and beyond, along with scandi homeware and interior accessories, including items from local makers. 

Continuing the local makers theme, Fig and Room 212 are neighbouring galleries, located a few doors from each other, where you can browse and buy art and crafts including prints, cards, books, handmade jewellery, homeware and textiles. Fig is run by a collective of six local artists and was voted by The Guardian as one of Bristol’s top ten independent shops. Supporting many local artists, Room 212 also offers a community hub for events and exhibitions.

A Tasteful Christmas in Wedmore

Close to Wedmore Grange, our stunning Strongvox development in the charming village of Wedmore, you’ll discover a host of great independents full of gift ideas and tempting quality Christmas fare to delight your tastebuds. 

Check out The Swan, dating back to the 1700s, with its cosy wood burning stove and menu created by River Cottage chef, Tom Blake. Bought by the Stay Original Co. in 2011, this inn has been awarded a Gold Taste of the West award and is definitely worth a visit if you are in the vicinity. 

For high quality local meat, dairy and farm shop produce, call in at Hectors, Wedmore’s butcher and farm shop. A family-run business for nearly 20 years, they rear their turkeys locally and sell award-winning sausages. 

Unique Presents For Kids And Awesome Hampers Near Nether Stowey

In the beautiful foothills of The Quantocks 12 miles north of Taunton, the first phase homes of the Strongvox development at Cricketer Farm in Nether Stowey are now available for sale. 

Based nearby, Hippychick sells a fabulous range of educational toys for children and practical gear for parents from its website. Its online Christmas shop is bursting with toys, sustainable gifts, stocking fillers and even baby’s first Christmas gift ideas. 

Also online, and operating from their base in Taunton, The Hamper Guys are the experts when it comes to creating bespoke hampers and gift boxes for individuals and corporate clients. All products are sourced from trusted suppliers and where possible, are locally produced. The guys aim to make the process as simple as possible, will work within your budget, and they promise no hidden costs. These hampers make perfect gifts for the foodies in you life!

Somerset’s Finest Ciders And A Smokery Fit For Royalty Both Local To Stoke-sub-Hamdon

A select collection of 16 homes, Phelips Court in the sought-after village location of Stoke-sub-Hamdon is our newest development here at Strongvox. We are so excited that the first phase has just been released for sale! 

Everyone knows that Somerset and cider go hand-in-hand, so it’s only natural that we find one of the finest local producers of Somerset cider a few miles from the village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Harry’s Cider is harvested and brewed in Long Sutton, where tours and tastings of the various award-winning craft ciders are available. Harry won his first Great Taste Award in 2017 (Heston Blumenthal is a big fan!) and Harry’s fine selection of ciders can be purchased online and at the onsite Cider Shop. 

Overlooking the Somerset Levels at Bowdens Farm in Hambridge, a small family-run smokery, Brown & Forrest has been producing exquisite smoked produce since the early 1980s. All its fish, meat and cheese is sourced from trusted local suppliers. Master smokers, Tim and Will use open fires for hot smoking and traditional brick kilns for cold smoking. You can travel up to London to buy their smoked foods in Fortnum and Mason, or just drop into Bowdens Farm with its lovely homely shop and café, or order goodies including very tasty supper boxes and hampers online.  

Say “Cheese!” Award-Winning Clothbound Cheddar and Sustainable Fashion North of Glorious Topsham 

Consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the UK, it’s no surprise that the Strongvox development of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes at Carrick Mill has been a sell-out success, offering simply beautiful coastal living.

For more than 450 years, the Quicke family has been farming at Newton St Cyres, just north of Exeter. Using original recipes dating back generations, Quicke’s cheeses are crafted by hand and wrapped in muslin cloth. Cheese tours and courses are available and the aptly named Cheese Box shop stocks cheese and more, including award-winning cheddars, goats cheese and speciality cheeses. If you don’t have time to visit in person, the extensive online shop sells everything from cheese wedges, handy sized letterbox cheese selection boxes, cheese pairings and full-blown Christmas cheese hampers.

“For change makers by change makers”. At Sancho’s in Exeter you can shop with the peace of mind that you are investing in a greener and more equitable future by prioritising people and planet. Founded in 2015, this indie shop offers sustainable women’s and men’s fashion, a zero waste range from kitchenware to toothbrushes, and a fantastic range of ethical gifts including slippers, stationery, jewellery, beauty and homeware. It’s available to purchase online too and has been creating quite a stir across the media from The Guardian and Harper’s Bazaar to BBC Radio 4. 

We hope you’ve found some useful last-minute inspiration for Christmas gifting this year! Strongvox wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2022!

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