Country Style
From its popular tearoom, to the latest ideas for gifts and interiors, the Owd Barn at Bispham offers rural charm and tempting shopping, writes Stephanie Sparrow. Photography: Lee Parkinson
Spring is in the air, bringing the chance to celebrate Mother’s Day and Easter. A trip into the countryside is a traditional way to enjoy these events, and at the Owd Barn at Bispham there are plenty of opportunities to create special memories for all the family.
Local, freshly-cooked produce make lunch and teas at the restored 16th century barn near Rufford, a popular choice. This spring sees extra sparkle added to the menu, as manager Helen Charlesworth explains. “We have an events licence for the Mother’s Day weekend, so that we can serve Prosecco with the afternoon teas, or alcohol with other meals as well,” she says.
Owd Barn has outside seating, and is expanding its tea room. Advance booking is required for the popular afternoon teas, at £12 per head. Please visit the website for further information.
There are more treats for Mum, or yourself, among the new spring collections housed upstairs in the three stunning gift and interiors lofts. Here furniture, homewares, fashion accessories, and gifts, are displayed, with many items from the UK, including stylish furniture and statement pieces from Lancashire-based Coach House.
The barn, which has been part of the Ashcroft family farm for 300 years is an inspirational backdrop, and daughter Helen has worked with her family to create settings of both sophisticated-rustic, and distressed-industrial styles in the lofts.
“Being based in a 16th century barn we try to choose items that could mix with older buildings but sit well in modern houses as well,” she says.
The Ashcroft family has sourced accessories to add spring colour to your wardrobe. Handbags and wallets by new-brand Soruka mix animal prints and jewel tones in recycled leather. “No two bags are the same,” says Helen, “which has really captured our customer’s imagination.”
Jewellery by Hot Tomato is showcased in a large display of new stock. Bright tops and capes from Marble Clothing make a splash, while colourful scarves and socks by Powder, which have their own gift bags, can be a cheery, and simple-to-give, present.
Easter can be a time for entertaining at home. Owd Barn has a unique selection of hand planted arrangements of hyacinths and daffodils and hand tied bunches of flowers, all ideal for Mother’s Day gifts.
It also marks the beginning of the gardening season. Owd Barn plans to brighten our borders with its new selection of locally-grown perennials and add further interest with the latest garden accessories.
This family-run business has plans for the Owd Barn at Bispham to blossom even further. “We hope to open a functions room, suitable for Christenings for example,” says Helen. “Spring is about new beginnings for us too.”
Owd Barn at Bispham
Spencers Farm
Rufford Road, Bispham L40 3SA
01704 823435
www.owdbarn.com
