Peaky Blinder - Charity Shop Tourism

 I'm always banging on about how fabulous the Midlands are, friendly people, superb art galleries & museums, excellent Indian food, fantastic charity shops, weekday car boot sales, town centre markets and, compared to much of the UK, a relatively low cost of living. Being in the centre of the country we're also within easy reach of lots of great places, like Buxton, a historical spa town in Derbyshire, just a ninety minute drive away.

Originally a Roman settlement named Aquae Arnemetiae (the spa of the goddess of the grove). Buxton became a major tourist attraction during the 18th Century when the fashionable people of Regency England flocked to take the waters. 

 Buxton is the gateway to the gorgeous Peak District.

As a born townie I'm rarely seen in a field unless its one with a car boot sale or a music festival but I have to admit that the 555 square miles of open countryside which make up Derbyshire's Peak District is rather spectacular. No wonder over a million people holiday here every year.

These dry stone walls bisect each field as far as the eye can see. 

Buxton Baths stand on the site of the original Roman baths. They opened in 1854.

The Pump Rooms, designed by the same architect, Henry Currey, are opposite.

Oatcakes were a weekend treat when I was little but I've never heard of Buxton tea bread, Buxton pudding or a Buxton egg bomb. 

Loved the green mosaic Bar sign over the Grove Hotel.

The road into the town centre is flanked with Victorian limestone terraces.

I loved Exeter House.

Most of the other visitors wear walking boots and you can see why. 

Good old British Summer Time. Jon's still wearing his overcoat in June.

What else is great about Buxton? There's a whopping twelve chazzas in the town centre. Now you'd probably expect charity shops in a major tourist destination to be overpriced and short on great vintage stock. Well, you'd be wrong. This is just a fraction of yesterday's finds.

Clockwise from top left: Handmade patchwork maxi skirt(Hmmm, does it stay or does it go?); Tapestry Greek Key bag; Quilted Martin Emprex maxi; Harris Tweed blazer & 1950s Tootal scarf; Renjoy, London  maxi skirt; Paisley button-down shirt; Flutter sleeve psychedelic maxi; Novelty print leisure shirt; Charles of the Ritz grab bag

Shopping complete and time for lunch. No bargain hunting road trip is complete without a bag of chips in the car before taking the scenic route home.

What did I wear?

My 1970s Van Allen cotton printed maxi I bought from eBay over 10 years ago, some 1970s dead stock sunnies from a vintage fair & a jumble sale Topshop denim jacket.
......And these!

Suzanne recently posted about wardrobe bucket lists and on mine was a pair of tan leather, cork soled platforms. On Monday, I spotted these Bertie sandals in a Walsall charity shop. They tick all the boxes and more, leather lined so they're super-comfy and buckle fastening so my narrow feet don't slide around in them and blister to buggery. I wore them for 12 hours yesterday. 

See you soon!