We caught up with our Stockist of the Month for November, Doddington Hall! The perfect place to visit in the lead up to Christmas! Read all about Doddington Hall, their fabulous Christmas event and their award-winning Farm Shop situated not too far from Sophie Allport HQ!
Did you know you can explore magical secret gardens in Donnington Hall at Christmas? The Elizabethan Hall will once again be transformed for the festive period and decorated throughout for the theme ‘Secret Gardens’. Inspired by their walled and wild gardens, they’ll be bringing the outdoors in to create spectacular scenes for a magical family day out.
Tell us a little bit about your shop…
We opened in 2007, and our award-winning Farm Shop was born out of a passion for good quality, seasonal, local food.
You’ll find fruit and vegetables with zero food miles freshly picked from our fabulous Kitchen Garden, beef in the Butchery often from our very own herd of Lincoln Red cattle, estate honey and an abundance of other produce from local suppliers. Our gift ranges showcase the best local suppliers to complement any table or event.
What do you love about being a shop owner?
Our customers are at the centre of everything we do. We love to help them with their purchases and find just the right product for them.
Have you ever had any famous faces pop in?
Most recently Ella Henderson popped in to buy a few bits, and Jools Holland bought some snacks for the journey home!
Three words to describe your shop...
Friendly, helpful, engaging
Tell us a little bit about the place you are located?
Doddington Hall is a much-loved family home. Our current owners Claire and James Birch have continued Claire’s parents work in devoting themselves to the upkeep, repair and progression of the Doddington Estate.
Over the last 12 years, they have developed a wide range of shops and restaurants from which all the proceeds go towards the upkeep and conservation of the Hall and Gardens. At the same time, they have worked hard to be sustainable with a range of initiatives. There is always something new to see and do on the estate whether that is inside the Hall, in the five acres of gardens, one of our events, or on one of the estate walks.
What is your favourite time of year in the shop?
Christmas is a magical time at Doddington. The Hall is lit up and decorated in an imaginative theme each year, while the shops and cafes are full of festive treats. We have our famous Bauble Barn open from October to December, packed with all things decorative. We also sell Estate grown Christmas trees.
Your favourite moment in the shop?
Any time we can surprise and delight a customer by finding just the right product for them.
What first attracted you to Sophie Allport?
We love the designs and the wide range of products. And that ranges can be mixed and matched in a slightly eclectic way! And we love that you are just down the road.
What is your favourite Sophie Allport collection?
Dragonfly, it’s such a lovely colour.
Where can people you?
Doddington Farm Shop, Doddington Hall, head for the village of Doddington one mile off the A46. You can't miss us when you get there!
Follow them on social:
Instagram: @doddingtonhall
Twitter: @DoddingtonHall
Facebook: @DoddingtonHallAndGardens