What should I get from Booths

[WhatToGetFromBooths]

I've heard a lot on MN about Booths and I'm going to be in a town that has one next week. They're non existent here so I'm not familiar with them so I'd appreciate any suggestions of what is worth getting.

TIA

I would say they’re all on the smaller side for supermarkets but there are definitely some branches better than others IMO

Keswick is the biggest I think, and Keswick is a lovely town for a day trip, lots of independent shops and a market on a Thursday / Saturday. Avoid in the school holidays though, it’s rammed usually.

We have to take my MiL on Booths pilgrimages whenever she visits so have also combined day trips with Booths in:

Lytham
Windermere
Ripon
Kendal
Ulverston
Settle
Garstang

All worked well. Kendal would probably also fit your desire for market town and browsing.

Avoid Windermere Booths during the school holidays, especially Fridays and Saturdays as it’s chocker with holidaymakers on changeover days.

@DahliaMacNamara

Get yourself up here , I have Keswick , Penrith & Windermere stores within an easy less than 1 hour drive.

@RuthTopp you have some lovely scenery close to your home as well as great supermarkets!

@BarbaraofSeville I think Knutsford (Cheshire) is the most southerly Booths branch and it’s a decent size.

Lytham has 2 big Booths, one has an art gallery inside!
Lancaster’s is tiny and more run down looking than you’d expect from a Booths.
Carnforth’s is big.
Garstang’s is pretty big.
Poulton’s is quite small if I remember correctly.
That’s all my experience of Booth’s 😂.

The Kendal, Keswick and Windermere Booths are all a decent size, Penrith is slightly smaller (definitely bigger than your average co-op though!) but still has most of the important stuff.

I'm old enough to remember shopping at Booths before it became 'The Northern Waitrose' and was basically like any other local supermarket. The cheese counter was still epic even 30 years ago though. The Windermere Booths is on the same site it's always been and is right next to the Lakeland flagship store.

As someone who shops there fairly regularly and has done for a lot of years I do think the quality has dropped a bit in recent years- probably similar to everywhere else where to keep things at a price point their customers will pay they've had to compromise on quality.

I remember a previous Booth’s thread where a Mumsnetter from down south tried to claim that the Penrith store didn’t need to be big because Booth’s only exists for tourists 😂😂😂.

This made me laugh.

My first thought was also ‘everything’.

Thanks all. I really appreciate the responses. I'll be visiting Keswick too so I'll check out their Booths too.

I can't wait for next weekend.

Yes, Knutsford is the most southern. It's about 10 mins drive from the M6 (can you tell that I've made an emergency stop here when driving back to London lol?!) It's a good sized one and has a cafe (and toilets) and free parking.

@DoggyPaddles I'm going to be pedantic and say there's one Booths in Lytham, and one in St Annes on the Sea (I live near that one) - the people of Lytham would be in uproar that you classed it as Lytham

I grew up in St Anne's and there was a Booths on the Square. I feel like I really didn't appreciate it as a teenager and need to go to a Booths again!
Thanks for sharing there's one near Knutsford, as I'm often up and down to Manchester University for eldest daughter.
We always go to Gloucester Services on the way there and back. Now Booths as well, hurray!!!

Im off to Scotland in a few weeks. I have never been to Booths before but saw the Christmas catalogue last year then found this thread. Which do you recommend or are they all a similar size? I'm thinking the Lake district as travelling from London.

Where in the Lake District will you be passing? They do vary in size, if you are driving the distance to the M6 will matter too.

The one in Kendal is probably easiest from M6 otherwise have a stop off in Windermere

The one in Penrith is probably the easiest to access from the M6 - traffic dependent it's about 5 mins from junction 40 with a free carpark

The one in Kendal is bigger/better but you have a 15 min drive from J36 into Kendal and then have to get round the one-way system to reach Booths car park which is quite a 'challenging' carpark to locate and park in at the best of times. There is also a parking fee (refundable at the Booths checkout). There are some nice shops near Kendal Booths to look at as well though - Armstrong Ward and Lakeland Leather, and a little posh butchers up near Marks and Spencers.

The benefit of the Penrith one is also fitting in a visit to Cranstons Food Hall at the same time - although it's currently under refurbishment for the next few weeks.

You are spoiled for choice up the m6 corridor as there is also Tebay services between J38 and J39.

We usually stop off in Kendal on the way up. Can't believe I have never seen it! All the years of shopping I have missed Think we will do the same this time as it is bigger one. We can buy things for our stay then maybe on our way home a week later stop at Penrith.

It’s not on the high street - as a previous poster said it’s set back from it a little, there’s some nice shops / cafes nearby - try Kakaw if you like a hot choc and the Roast Mutton butchers shop is amazing

@WhatToGetFromBooths i think you should come back and update us on your Booths trip.

Some of us live so far way away that we can only enjoy the experience vicariously.

I don’t live near a Booths so it’s an occasional treat but I get their Christmas Catalogue every year to salivate over