We see Osprey signposted on our drive back from Welwyn and turn right into a country lane. We walk along a gravel path and Osprey London is the first barn we enter. Leather handbags of every colour are neatly displayed in the window. The smell of good quality leather and wooden display units give a natural warmth, and it feels welcoming.
The front of the store is divided into men’s and ladies’ sections. My husband has a look at the wallets and belts while I have a browse on the other side. Absolutely everything is discounted from make up bags to heart-shaped coin purses.
A purple crocodile-effect purse catches my eye and it’s reduced to £35, but when I unzip it I notice that it’s not leather inside like the one I currently have. Mmm I think I might be getting fussier in my old age!
At the centre of the shop is a huge wooden table with more luxury leather handbags and purses with Osprey embossed in gold. A tall glass vase filled with winter flowers decorates the display. I love the vibrant rainbow of colourful leather from tangerine orange to forest green. If you wore any of these boldly coloured accessories with the right outfit to a wedding or a summer fair you’d make a stylish statement.
We then walk through the courtyard to Osprey Home. What an amazing space, brightly lit and filled with home accessories and curios from silver sculptures to leather notebooks, and paperweights to sheepskin rugs.
The showroom feels chic and rustic at the same time, arranged with large pieces of furniture, two armchairs decoratively upholstered in hessian and a long wooden dining table. As I leave a wall lamp decorated with dark wooden antlers catches my eye.
We walk back through the courtyard to the Saddlery Café, a rustic old barn-come-tearoom. We sit on a bench filled with cushions at a round wooden table. Tea is served in a huge teapot for two with vintage cups and saucers. As we’re still on our post-Christmas diets we share a home baked slice of banana and salted caramel cake.
I look forward to my next visit when we can lounge on the on the rattan sofas and linger in the courtyard, enjoying the lush greenery before having a browse in the vintage market and art gallery Three wise monkeys in the stables just across the way.
