A festive wander near Winchester: Visiting Talking Tables stockists

This October, Talking Tables senior photographer Milly took a trip to visit some of our favourite independents in Winchester and its beautiful surroundings. It was full of festive energy and inspiring displays across several of our wonderful stockists. Each store had its own unique atmosphere and creative approach to showcasing Talking Tables products, perfectly capturing the excitement of the upcoming Christmas season.

The Long Barn: A Buzzing Haven of Style and Seasonality

The Long Barn shop and café were buzzing with life, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. At the heart of the store stood a stunning Christmas display on pink shelving which was entirely dedicated to Talking Tables products. It was eye-catching, cheerful, and impossible to miss! We loved this striking use of colour which complimented the traditional Christmas tones of reds and greens so well.

As well as Christmas, Milly caught the last of the Halloween displays which looked very impactful and featured cat baskets, pumpkin lights, and our paper partyware which added a playful, seasonal feel.

Our Christmas candles glowed throughout the shop, bringing a touch of sparkle, while our Host Your Own games and Prosecco Pong were cleverly displayed in the games and books section, perfect inspiration for festive gifting or party season gatherings.

Consortium: Creativity and Colour in Every Corner

At Consortium, Milly met Sarah the shop owner, who shared her enthusiasm for Talking Tables collections. Sarah mentioned that crackers, napkins, toilet rolls, and Christmas games were all on order for the season, noting that our games are top sellers during the festive period, and often snapped up as impulse buys at the till.

The store looked beautiful, with thoughtful merchandising featuring our brightly coloured candle holders, alongside red gingham napkins and table covers that brought warmth and cohesion to the space. The colour-blocked displays throughout the store were especially effective, creating a vibrant, premium look that made Talking Tables products stand out as well as sit well with similarly coloured products from other suppliers.

The Hambledon: Effortless Elegance and Playful Detailing

A visit to The Hambledon never disappoints, and this trip was no exception. Their visual merchandising was bursting with creativity and charm. The central table was a real showstopper  which had bars of chocolate tied with ribbon and arranged like cakes on stands, mirrored by wall displays using the same ribbon.

They also showcased a display of realistic food candles and champagne bottles, adding a whimsical and eye-catching touch. The team had recently placed a new order with us, and we’re looking forward to returning soon to see how they incorporate their latest Talking Tables products into future displays.

At Cornflowers, Milly met Caz, who shared that their summer Bon Appétit display had been such a hit that tomato pieces were still selling well into autumn, a sure sign of customer love for the collection!

The store had seamlessly transitioned into the new season, with a vibrant Halloween display featuring pumpkin lights and forest themed candles. The setup perfectly bridged the warmth of autumn with the festive sparkle of Christmas, creating an inviting and celebratory atmosphere throughout the store.

Celebrating Creativity and Connection

From the buzzing warmth of The Long Barn to the striking creativity at Consortium, the artful elegance of The Hambledon, and the seasonal charm of Cornflowers, our Winchester visits were brimming with inspiration.

Each store showcased Talking Tables products in its own unique way, blending creativity, storytelling, and retail excellence. We’re so proud to work with such thoughtful and passionate partners who bring the Talking Tables spirit to life across every display, season after season.

See how other retailers are bringing our products to life in store here.

Interested in becoming one of our trade customers? Find out more here

Blog and photography by Milly Greene, Senior Marketing Photographer & Designer