Albert Road
When my daughter had her place at Portsmouth Uni confirmed two years ago one of my colleagues at work told me that I must visit Albert Road at Southsea, as it was just my type of place! Although I have driven along there many times it has usually been on a Sunday, or when we are busy moving my daughter in or out of lodgings. So last Friday we arranged to have a girls day out and while my daughter was attending a lecture, I took myself down part of Albert Road.
Albert Road, see link here, is a long road full of independent traders selling a multiple of items ranging from retro clothes, antiques and crafts and quirky shops. Bellamy's above is a beautiful shop with a lovely window display to entice you in! They had some lovely silver jewellery and glassware and metal signs and the owner had a very friendly nine year old labrador.
There was also a great display outside a shop dealing in Architectural Antiques.
In another lovely shop called Flo and Stan that specialises in retro gifts and vintage treasures, I asked whether I could take some photos. I saw items that transported me straight back to my childhood. I remember egg cups like these!
At the back of the shop they even had a tuck shop. I had to buy some black jacks and fruit salad chews just for old times sake and they tasted just as good as I remember!
My visit ended at Langford's Antiques - my camera batteries by this time were giving out. I have never been in shop like this before. It was literally jam-packed full of bits and pieces. Items of furniture were piled on top of each other. There was so much to see I could have spent all day in there!
I am sorry it has taken me so long to visit these shops but it won't be the last time. I hope you enjoyed seeing them too. Do you have a favourite shopping area that you like visiting?
I have to admit I didn't come home empty handed! I saw this 1950's cup in Flo & Stan. The pattern is called "Quite contrary" and part of the Midwinter range. I love the exploding stars in blue, pink and turquoise and the shape of the cup and handle. It was designed in the 1950's, when after the war years they wanted to inject some fun into everyday objects. (Another cup and saucer at home are now on their way to a charity shop - I do try to operate one thing in on thing out!)
Sarah x
What a wonderful shop, love all those sweet jars! Lovely cup and saucer too! :) x
ReplyDeleteBlack jacks, fruit salad chews - my mind is going backwards - did they have some sherbet fountains or dabs too.
ReplyDeleteThose Hornsea pottery egg cups remind me of some similar mugs we used to have.
I love these things called 'vintage' by the current generation that I can actually remember!!!
I didn't see any dabs or sherbet dips. I always used to take my time enjoying those and twix bars only costing 12p!
DeleteSarah x
Love your new purchase - I can see why you bought it xo
ReplyDeleteI adore the cup and saucer! And admire the one in, one out policy. I just shove it all in the loft.
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
Liebe Sarah,
ReplyDeletesorry das ich sooo lange nicht hier sein konnte....aber die Gesundheit geht immer vor.Schön das ich jetzt schauen kann was ich alles so verpasst habe.Deine Bilder sind wie immer so grandios....besonders das Süßigkeiten Geschäft ist herrlich....DANKE für´s Zeigen!!!
Herzlichst Flori
I can very easily believe you when you say you will be visiting these lovely shops again.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love, Love, LOVE everything about the cup and plates you bought!!! The colour, the shape, the stars, so unique to find stars on plates, and they're not just ordinary stars as well. I could find something around here to go out and let this beautiful set take its place without any trouble.
Have a lovely new week,
Marian
It's a long time since I have been to the Albert Road and that was to collect someting I had won on ebay. I only live about 10 miles away so really must pay another visit soon!
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit there. Thank you for the photos and detailed discussion, I feel like I got to go too. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had so much fun. What a great trip. I love the new china. You're very good having a one-in one-out rule! Juliex
ReplyDeleteIsn't is surprising what we miss when we just drive between points A and B without stopping? I tend to do that when I drive down to my mom's place in the US. Then last year I decided to blog about the drive, and ended up stopping at numerous places I had previously driven right past. I made some great discoveries that day. It looks like you made some great discoveries too. The shops all look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh, good afternoon Sarah! This looks like my type of place! You always share the out of the way places that hold so much charm. I long to get back to Europe and this time, it will be in England. Your world has a quaint and antique-filled charm about it that I must see. Hugs to you and sweet little Daisy! Anita
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a really interesting road to have a wander down. I love your cup and saucer.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun girls day! I love looking in shops like these and love the cup/saucer you bought! X
ReplyDeleteGoodness, my mother had a poppy coffee set just the same! That does take me back. Great finds Sarah!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lovely day! I love the idea of a street of all independent stores. And a shop that comes with a dog definitely wins extra points! (I should have taken a panorama of the view from our hotel in Paris to show the full 180 degree view - it was incredible!)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time, lovely shops.
ReplyDeletethat looks like my kind of strret! we dont have anywhere like that where i live :( i def think i should be the one to start! haah!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, ohh I love that Midwinter c&s set. I have a wee collection of Midwinter which I started collecting a few years ago, alas it's too expensive now, so hardly even get to add to the collection. S:)
ReplyDeleteoh I think I could spend all day there not to mention my pay packet!
ReplyDeleteBec x
Ooh I wouldn't have many pennies left browsing through those shops...Sounds the perfect shopping trip, Sarah..Love Maria x
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely shops! I'd love to browse around the architectural antiques for stuff for our garden. We still have plates and bowls in that Hornsea pottery design, we had a whole dinner service, storage jars and teapot when we got married in 1970. The storage jars and teapot are now chipped and have made homes for plants in the garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThank your for the tour. It's always nice to find new surrounding to enjoy. Great buildings to look at and to take photos of. Great finds and what a pretty set for your tea. Have a lovely day.
What a fun shopping trip. I love your photos. My favourite place to shop is probably the west end of Queen Street in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteI've been to King's Theatre to hear a talk by a polar explorer, it's a fantastic place. The operation of a "one in one out" policy has got me thinking- what a great way to "allow" yourself some new things....should also appease husbands! CTx
ReplyDeleteYes it does appease my husband! It has also made me think more about buying things in the first place. The house is slowly starting to contain only the things I really love and I appreciate them more!
DeleteSarah x
How I wish I could have walked down Albert street with you Sarah.
ReplyDeleteWhat great shops.
I love Flo and Stan.): saw a couple of things there i liked.
your retro cup is super.
great idea.. bring one in let one out. less clutter.
I am all for that.
Thank you for showing us your trip to Albert Street.
I am sure you will be back.
Happy Monday
Val.x
I want to visit that shop, the ship's wheel is just what we are looking for! Xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the sort of road I would enjoy going to as well. Love your tea cup trio!! Hope your husband is doing well?!
Have a lovely week!
Madelief x
I'm never tired to discover new places . England is such a beautiful country so I truly enjoyed your tour. Thank you Sarah and nice rest of the week! Olympia
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely trip Sarah
ReplyDeleteI too remember the egg cups ( the red ones) as children we had them in different colours, my one was pink, thank you for reminding me
I love your new trio, so pretty
Thea x
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely shopping trip and I enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous shops.
Isn't it always fun to see something you can remember having as a child, brings back happy memories.
Love the pretty tea cup you came home with, beautiful colours.
Have a happy week
hugs
Carolyn
What a nostalgia trip for many of us, and yes, the one in one out is a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a really interesting place to while away a few hours. I can see why you went for the cup and saucer.
ReplyDeleteJune
What a wonderful burst of colour, Sarah! I can imagine the pleasure you had wandering around looking at everything! And those sweets! I hanker after the sweets of my English childhood. I have found a website which sells them and one day, maybe, I might just succumb as I cannot find them here in France.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good week.
Stephanie
Looks like a little 'treasure island' - I could also just spend hours in places like this - lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a greta shopping trip- Even makes me want to go shopping in England now:)
ReplyDeleteGosh - I haven't been to Pompey or Southsea for such a long time...I really should remedy that next time I visit my folks.
ReplyDeleteNina x
My life right now is full of the 1950's and earlier as we are sadly emptying my Mother In Laws house full of all things that would fit perfectly in Albert Road. Thank you for such a lovely wander
ReplyDeleteLove LINDA
Hi Sarah - I remember Sherbert dips as my favourite and my mum had a Midwinter set - different pattern though what a shame she didn't keep it but she did keep the Hornsea pottery which I now have.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about British towns that they are all so cute and picturesque. I want to go there. The only place other than London that I have been is Bath and I had so much fun shopping there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vicarious visit.
I love the little tours you take us on. I want to visit England again so much.
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you for your great blog on Albert Road and mentioning our little shop, Flo & Stan. Really glad you had a lovely time reminiscing and gave a new home for the vintage tea and saucer set and of course, enjoyed those black jacks! x
ReplyDeleteI'm not a great shopper but I think I wouldn't mind spending a few hours browsing in those shops. The displays are really eye catching and the items for sale are so beautiful.
ReplyDelete