I’m always on the look out for local sustainable stores to shop at, near Milton Keynes, where we live. I’ve found a few lovely sustainable stores to share with you, and a few other places to check out while you’re there.
Sustainable Stores: Branch Out MK
Let’s start with Branch Out MK, which is a not-for-profit organisation in Milton Keynes, based in Stony Stratford. They grow local, seasonal flowers, organically, in peat-free compost.
Branch Out MK grow a wide variety of seasonal cut flowers, which they sell from their workshop at York House Community Centre, which is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. You can also find them at local farmers’ markets in Wolverton (1st Saturday of the month), Olney (1st Sunday) and Woburn (3rd Saturday).
They also sell gorgeous teas that they grow on site.
We brought a beautiful bouquet of sustainable, locally grown flowers for mum for Mother’s Day, aren’t they gorgeous? And wrapped up in paper, not plastic.
โSustainable Stores: My Refill Market
There is a really sweet shop packed with lots of independently made homeware and fashion, called On The High Street in Stony Stratford. At the back, we found that My Refill Market had a lovely pop up sustainable store. I’ve shopped with My Refill Market before, and included them in my guide to easy swaps you can make to reduce your waste. You can buy all sorts of cupboard staples there, and refill your own containers to save on packaging.
My Refill Market also sell their sustainable wares in markets around Milton Keynes. Pop over to their Facebook page to find out where they’ll be.
On The High Street has so many unusual gifts on sale, from lots of independent makers, including The Room Alive. They also hold workshops, which I hope to get to at some point.
French Affaire in Stony Stratford
If you’re in Stony Stratford, there are some lovely places to eat and drink, including Out of Office Coffee and French Affaire. I went to French Affaire a few weeks back, and enjoyed the most delicious crepe and prosecco. It’s in O’Dell’s yard, off the High Street, where I did a jewellery making workshop last year. It’s small, but perfectly formed, with an outside seating area that will be lovely in summer.
Inside, the decor is gorgeous – with blush and turquoise velvet. pink flowers and copper and gold accents.
There are savoury and sweet crepes on the menu, and lots of drinks. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Don’t Miss Stony Stratford’s Murals
While we were in Stony Stratford, we took the opportunity to do a quick impromptu photo shoot for my sister’s handmade organic t-shirts from her business With Narrative. There are some fab murals, so we took a few snaps in front of them.
Debbie designs and makes her lovely tees and sweatshirts by hand, out of organic cotton here in Milton Keynes. Pop over to With Narrative on Instagram here to find out more.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my ideas for sustainable stores in Stony Stratford. Please leave me a comment if you can recommend any more sustainable stores I need to know about!
