Living in London (with busy streets and even busier schedules) it is hard to remember the pleasures of a secluded country village. As I right this I am sat by a log fire (yes, in MAY) in a local pub in Cuckfield, West Sussex: a small village just off of the M23 on the way into Brighton. Heralded for its seasonal village fair, Ockenden Manor Hotel and the quaint selection of shops the village is a delight. There is even a traditional sweet shop: yes one with jars stacked high and weighing scales galore. It has all the elements of a little town, yet only takes about ten seconds to drive through and is easily bypassed.
In terms of fashion there is much to feast on. Boutiques - fondly known as the Cuckfield Boutiques - range from affordable second hand, to full priced designer; ASH shoes, Vanessa Bruno, J Brand and American Vintage are a selection of the brands on offer. Neilson Boutique was recently recommended as one of the best shops outside of London by the Sunday Telegraph's, Stella Magazine: it houses the majority of the above brands and others and has a contemporary, luxe feel. The shop is tidy and airy, with clothes hung in colour and style coordination on the rails. The shop also holds the current editions of Stylist magazine which is a huge bonus if you live outside of the city.
If expensive is not your thing, I recommend paying Edit Boutique a visit (www.editboutique.net): situated on the bend at the end of the high street, the windows are an artful display of shoes, jewellery and old Vogue magazines. Similar to Neilson, Edit oozes appeal with its modern shop fittings and design aesthetic, although this store is smaller. The shop is due to open a second hand bridal store in the next few months just 100 yards away: great news for a small, village boutique, as so many across the UK continue to shut their doors and disappear from our high street.
The wonderful thing about a second hand store (and Edit in particular) is the continuous replenishment of stock. As I peruse Edit's rails, the manager is advising customers that she simply cannot take any more offerings until the end of the month: another sure sign of success. With the recession in full swing and the want for a bargain, Edit is the place to go as many designer pieces are so heavily discounted: one wouldn't even know they were buying second hand due to the quality of the garments.
Other boutiques in the village are more affordable, stocking scarfs, bags and jewellery. Each is perfect for unusual gifts or unique finds as many brands tucked away on the shelves, are not available on the high street. The Corner House cafe does delectable breakfasts and the small beauty clinic O'Spa services much needed massages and manicures.
Although only a small huddle of shops with traditional amenities (such as a reliable local pub) the village is a perfect afternoon stop off. It's certainly one worth diverting off of the motorway for.