Recommended Independent Arts & Crafts stores?

[turquoiserules]

Not Hobbycraft.

I can go anywhere between Winchester - London today - any recommendations?

Ideally somewhere that stocks all the main paint brands, Windsor & Newton etc, paper, as well as craft stuff & yarn etc.

Thank you!

Not found any - just The Works, The Range and Honbycraft x 100. Have all the independent shops disappeared?

Don't think there was ever really anything like an independent arts and crafts store. Small selections in older department stores, mostly aimed at kids, plus yarn shops and fabric shops, and specialist model shops where you'd get kits, paints and balsa maybe. But Hobbycraft was a bit of a putting it all together, regardless of what you think of the place.

I'd go to a specialist shop for fabric or yarn anyway - why did you want an under-one-roof place?

I use Hobbybase, based in Westbury Wiltshire, but only online for papercraft. I've found them reasonable and well stocked.

There's one in Rochester but that's not in the right area for you. Can't remember what it's called but it's on the high street. There's also a good fabric shop nearby.

For art shops in London: Cass Art (Islington branch is big but not as good as it used to be); Cowling & Wilcox (various branches); Great Art in Kingsland Road/Shoreditch (newish shop, stocks A LOT of art materials). All of them have some craft stuff too but not fabric and yarn.

Not sure where I would recommend for yarns. There are some shops but they will be high end. Do you just want synthetic? Actually John Lewis still does a good selection of yarn.

Crafters companion is a great store for all things crafty. Nice cafe too

Don't think there was ever really anything like an independent arts and crafts store

There definitely were/are some. They tend to be small and obviously not with the same huge range as Hobbycraft.

There certainly used to be, but all the ones I know tend to specialise in either papercrafts, wool/embroidery, fabric or whatever. Can't think of any that do all these things.

Somewhat out of your travel line: Oxford has "Broad Canvas" but it is limited by a relatively small space, seems good for art supplies. For fabric and wool supplies, Abingdon has Masons - split over 3 shops.

Thank you for the recommendations! If I'm ever near any of those places next time I will have a look.
The reason I want an independent/specialist is they tend to stock individual items rather than big sets of stuff - which is not what I want and a waste.
I love browsing all the fancy paint brushes, pencils and pastels, and it's just not the same in places like Hobbycraft!

Get yourself to the Heaton Cooper gallery in Grasmere in the Lakes. Small, independent, heart -warming selection of painting and drawing materials.