Kilver Court Christmas, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

There is one thing that I have really missed since moving from Tonbridge (apart from family of course) and that’s a decent place to visit that sells nice Christmas decorations! We used to go to all the nearby garden centres and they’d have masses of Christmas delights to tempt me, but here in the centre of Somerset, there really isn’t a lot to choose from apart from B&Q and B&Ms. So when I saw that Kilver Court were doing a Christmas evening last Thursday, along with mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing, I had to go! ….

Kilver Court, by the way, is mainly know for its garden and designer shopping outlet. The garden has been featured on Gardeners’ World and I visited a few years ago. It’s very pretty, but smaller than I expected. Look at the website to see the brands and designers in the clothes shops, because if you like them, then it’s worth a visit for the discounts. In the old family house section all the rooms are filled with homeware for sale and is all very stylish and if I could afford it, I would be filling my house from there. It is lovely, and just my taste of shabby chic and rustic and unusual, so if your funds allow, then do go and have a look around.

To be honest, I was really only going to have a quick peek as I didn’t have a lot of time, and maybe buy one or two baubles, but the selection of Christmas decorations they had were so different and pretty, I ended up getting just a little more than that! My favourite were by Gisella Graham, and I think actually all the ones I bought were her designs.

The advertising for the late-night opening event was obviously successful because it was very busy. Too busy really to comfortably look around because I like to stand back and take it all in so I couldn’t really do that as I would just get in people’s way. I’ll probably go back again, but I’m a bit scared to in case I buy more! This is what I bought:

Gisela Graham pheasant. £10

Gisela Graham partridge. £4.50

Gisela Graham pink fairy. £7. Purple fairy. £7.50

Box of 54 mini baubles by Broste, Copenhagen. £24.50

There was a 20% discount on all decorations that evening, and I also got a free large bottle of very nice hand-cream; so yes, I did spend a lot of money, but it could’ve been worse! And I’m justifying it by the fact that we’ve barely bought any new Christmas decorations since we moved here eight years ago, so I’m just making up lost time!

Let me know if you’ve splashed out on new decorations this year!