A South Coast Style Haven...

Winchester... Home to Heritage a Cathedral and The Hambledon.

If there's one thing I like, it's a proper independent shop that holds charm and charisma... The Hambledon in Winchester certainly has both in abundance, the following extract taken from their site sheds a little light on what it's all about -

When we opened The Hambledon 10 years ago we were given a brilliant tatty old book called 'How to Start a Shop' by Martin Perry. Published in 1948 not all the advice is exactly current but we are loving Mr Perry's fantastic and timeless concept of the shopkeeper as 'merchant adventurer'.

These are our current adventures. We have descended into the Norman basement with a full on new home for menswear. We have sallied forth across Little Minster Street to open a stand alone furniture shop. We're pushing the frontiers of The Hambledon empire but only within the confines of our little corner of Winchester. As ever we would love to see you in the shop but if you can't get here (though it doesn't require a very intrepid spirit) we hope this site will give you some sense of what it is we do and continue to love doing.

With thanks to the wonderful Rob Ryan for rendering our real life shop and real live selves into such beautiful virtual reality.

The Hambledon isn't just a Menswear shop, it's a lifestyle shop. Dabbling in vintage finery, womens-wear, house-ware and of course, stocking a superb selection of bang-on trend labels... The Hambledon keeps finely in tune with modern day styling while paying homage to old-skool aesthetics. Take, for instance, the trouble Hambledons Menswear manager Rob went through to sort me out with the Norse Project Gloves I was after recently... A really Stirling effort from someone whose passions run as deep as yours and mine for good quality clobber and the desire to look spot on.

The following is a list of brands stocked by the Hambledon, demonstrating that it certainly has it's finger on the pulse of what's what when it comes to quality and style -

Folk, Norse Projects , Universal Works , APC , Quoddy , Oliver Spencer , Trickers , Edwin ,Nudie , Sunspel , YMC , Heritage Research, Gitman Vintage , Redwing.

Happy enough to spaff about different labels, music and other general musings, Robs attitude was certainly refreshing and his knowledge obviously undeniable - a trait that is vigorously demonstrated with the Hambledon and the overall look of the shop (Which is pretty ace by anyone's standards)

Set in a listed Norman-era basement, the shop holds that unique character that a lot of boutiques fail to capture this day and age and it certainly gives the shop a classy look with a unique edge. Perfectly curated and set out, The Hambledon should be on the agenda if and when travelling around the South Coast of England, if not just for the ace selection of garments on offer then for the experience of buying your wears in the vicinity of some true English heritage... A fact I find double cool.


'We are right in the middle of Winchester, overlooking the cathedral. There is plenty of parking in the city and we are within walking distance of the train station and the city centre bus and coach station. Ring us if you're lost on 01962 890055. Don't speak to Lucy. She's not very good with her left and right.'

http://www.thehambledon.com
http://www.thehambledon.com/blog

It's a sure fire bet that William the Conqueror would be buying his chain mail from the Hambledon if it graced the times of the French Warrior King... Although I'm sure he'd be pretty made up that such a fine establishment now resides in one of his time lasting structures.

Saul Wilks.