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We all love a bit of diversity on our high streets and it’s our independent stores that give the Royal Borough’s towns and villages a refreshing sense of character and uniqueness. We have some great fresh food markets and farmers' markets too where local, seasonal produce is the order of the day.
In Windsor, take a walk down to the Lower Peascod Street and St Leonards Road area and discover where the locals like to shop and relax. Grab a coffee and something tasty from father-and-son owned Millar’s Eatery then choose something fun and unusual for your home from the delightful House Windsor. If you enjoy north African cuisine then you must try Al Fassia, a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the heart of town. This part of Windsor is also home to men’s designer fashions at Michael Chell and bang opposite is A Hoppy Place, Windsor’s craft beer destination!
In need of a pick-me-up whilst near Windsor Castle? Drop by family-run ice cream shop Fortescues of Windsor on Church Street for a delicious coffee or one of their finest handmade gelatos. Or pop into Plate No. 6, an independently-owned tapas restaurant which draws upon the culinary riches of the Mediterranean Basin. This pretty eatery is nestled down a cobbled lane just behind Windsor Guildhall.
You’ll find some great independent pubs near the river, such as The Boatman. Cross over the pedestrian Windsor and Eton Bridge and you'll discover The George pub on the Eton side. It's owned by Windsor & Eton Brewery, one of Windsor’s great independent success stories. Back at their HQ on the Windsor side of the Thames you'll discover their fun and informative brewery tours. Or you can just stop by and enjoy up to 22 different beers on tap (and even more in cans) in the adjacent Unit 4 Taproom.
In Eton you’ll be struck by the independent nature of most of the shops! Explore art and antique shops, quintessentially British gentlemen’s outfitters such as New & Lingwood as well as family-run restaurants such as Gilbey’s Bar, Restaurant and Townhouse. Gilbey’s even has gorgeous guest rooms to retreat to after you’ve eaten and drunk aplenty. Explore the shelves in Tastes Delicatessen where you'll discover a fantastic range of food and drink, sourced locally and from specialists around the world.
Maidenhead’s range of well-known High Street names is complemented by a wide variety of independent and specialist stores for you to explore. Step off the High Street and you'll find some hidden gems for that special something.
Discover gorgeous jewellery at Anthony Paul. Be inspired to lead a sustainable lifestyle at zero waste shop Filling Good.
Craft Coop gives over 200 local craftspeople the opportunity to trade in a high street shop, and to bring a bit of vitality to the town centre by transforming otherwise empty units into fabulous craft shops full of unique, locally created products. In the Royal Borough you'll find Craft Coops in both Maidenhead and Windsor packed to the brim with beautifully handmade, uniquely local products made by local 'Coopers'. We've written a blog about some of their talented artists and craftspeople; have a read here.
Discover some outstanding independent food and drink in Maidenhead too. Sauce and Flour is the place to go for freshly-made pasta; Seasonality is an ingredient-led independent restaurant run by husband and wife team Wesley and Francesca; and Knead is a planet-friendly pizzeria rolling out delicious pizzas and using local suppliers wherever possible.
If you are looking to celebrate with some fine dining then the village of Bray, just down the road from Maidenhead, is one of Britain's culinary capitals. Here you’ll find the Roux Brothers' Waterside Inn, Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck and Giancarlo Caldesi's Caldesi in Campagna.
Venture out to Cookham where you’ll find tasty treats in store such as the French deli Delicously French, Malik’s Indian restaurant and The Old Butcher’s Wine Cellar, importers of extraordinary wines.
If racing doesn’t bring you to Ascot, then some independent shopping might. The high street features familiar names rubbing shoulders with some local independent shops such as gift shop Little Wishes and cafés such as Anne Marie Patisserie. Ascot is famous for the royal meeting and you’re sure to find a stunning outfit and glamorous hat at Nataliya Couture.
The high street in Sunninghill is full of great independent finds: check out the family-run Circle Gallery for art and picture framing, the Aladdin's cave that is Chapmans Ironmongers (which has been trading since 1895!), interiors shop Mimosa plus some great cafes such as The Sun Cafe and The Courtyard. And in Sunningdale you'll discover gems such as the gifts, jewelley and homewares at Bird, butcher Lewis of Sunningdale and menswear shop Mewes.
So, whether it’s booking that celebration meal, buying something for the home you’ve not seen anywhere else, sourcing that special tipple from your local wine shop or simply treating yourself to a coffee and slice of something nice from an independent cafe, every purchase makes a difference!
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