08 Apr 2024
There’s much more to St Albans Museum + Gallery than award-winning exhibitions and the chance to sup your coffee from a courtroom dock – the shop is a unique retail space packed with bespoke items crafted by local artisans.
Championing local suppliers and offering goods to reflect the St Albans area, it offers an array of wares you can’t find on the high street.
Here’s a selection of what you can find inside:
Inspired by St Albans’ landmarks, people and objects, designer Stacey Barnfield of The Colour Palette Company worked with the museum retail team and created the unique St Albans Colour Palette, in consultation with the local community. Think Martyr Red representing St Alban, Britain’s first Christian Saint and Hoard Gold representing the Sandridge Hoard, one of the largest hoards of gold Roman coins ever discovered in the UK,
both part of the unique palette. Choose from a bespoke range of items in the selected St Albans colours, each a reminder of what makes the city what it is.
Homegrown lifestyle brand Self(ish) company is on a mission to craft high-quality, sustainable products that help you chill out, relax and put yourself first. Their range of beautiful candles are scent-sational so why not be selfish and indulge in some scented self-care!
Launched in November 2022, I Love Vintage Jewellery offers truly beautiful pre-loved vintage jewellery made by artisans. All items have been individually selected and no two are the same; once they get snapped up, they’re gone for good! Browse the jewellery display for sparkling pieces made from of silver, gems, gold and other metals, ready to be loved again.
A range of beautifully illustrated St Albans maps by international artist Rachel Ruffle-Smith, or “The Wonky Artist”, look stunning in any home. The name comes from the fact Rachel paints lying on her side in bed, using both hands to hold the brush following an injury when she was young. No straight lines are truly straight and her range of colourful maps with delightful illustrations are truly inspirational.
Find unique prints and cards by local artist Jen Roffe who has an incredible talent for hand-lettering and illustration. Her hand-lettered location maps are the perfect memory of your favourite place and the good time you spent there!
Hannah Sessions is another local artist who has developed a range of gifts which bring colour and fun to the home. Inspired by the beautiful city of St Albans, her works have been displayed in the shop since it opened proving to be a popular purchase by visitors.
Support H’Arts in Mind charity, set up to improve the lives of those suffering from mental health problems, by purchasing beautiful cards and prints of local landmarks which brilliantly capture the atmosphere or the city.
A genuine find, and consistent top seller is organic honey by Walled Garden Apiaries. From a single beehive to what is now a thriving business, this honey is harvested close to the city on the Harpenden Road. Each jar is bursting with flavour made by happy and healthy bees in eco-friendly beehives, and once tasted you won’t look back!
A wonderful selection of books fill the shop shelves. For a fascinating read on the city’s history try ‘St Albans: A History’ by Mark Freeman or ‘Secret St Albans’ by Kate Morris. Or pick another popular author Kate Bretherton for her insights into the local landscape.
Whether you’re interested in history, walking, nature or landscapes, there is something to suit all interests. Browse the brilliant collection and find something intriguing, thoughtful or fun to take home.
Gin fans will love the range of quirky gins made by local distilleries. Campfire Gin, inspired by the founder’s memories of great gin and tonics around campfires, is a top choice or create a cocktail using Hitchin Honey Gin and Rum made from locally sourced raw honey. And for something truly special pop to the shop in Verulamium Museum where the sumptuous Boudicca Gin may tempt you amongst other unique items inspired by the Roman collections.
Plus, look out for pop-up makers markets held throughout the year in partnership with Shop Small Pop Up. Local makers set up stalls selling everything from jewellery to candles, cakes, embroidery, prints and everything in between!
Eleanor Payne, commercial services manager at the museum said; “Overseeing the shop is without doubt the most creative, fun and rewarding part of my job. My team and I are committed to ensuring the shop is an extension of the visitor experience with many items connected to our museum collections and the city, ensuring your purchase will forever be memories of your visit.
“We are lucky to live in a place like St Albans and supporting local suppliers is an important part of our business because they play such a key role in making the city so special. We also take inspiration from the local community and seek to engage with local suppliers and artisans to make the shop offering both unique and beautiful.”
Pop in and support local! www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk @stalbansmuseums, open daily from 11am-5pm.
