Antiquing in Sawbridgeworth

On Thursday morning, three friends and I headed to Sawbridgeworth about 30 minutes by train outside London to check out some antique shops. We were pleasantly impressed by the cluster of antiques shops near the train station and the cute village just up the road.

Never enough time to explore as much as you want, but we gave it our best shot.

So many cases of collectibles to enjoy. Jewelry, pottery, silver, boxes, crystal, even a Victorian skirt lifter.

Staffordshire dogs are popular collectibles in Britain. You can read more about them here.

Of course, I fell in love with a nineteenth century French gilt marble mantle clock. Isn't is lovely? I could have taken it home for $1100, but decided to pass on it this trip!

Time to move on quickly for a tour of the small town. We headed toward the High street, passing a river and houseboats along the way. Must be a leisurely way to live.

Every town has its pub, of course.

We had hoped to find some surprises at the French shop,La Provence, that we had heard so much about, but the surprise was on us. They were closed just for today. So much for the light lunch we heard that could be enjoyed on the back terrace of the shop.

We didn't take time to go inside, but we passed by a 15th century church and its graveyard

on our walk.

As the day drew to a close and our train approached, we made plans to return. Next trip, a visit to La Provence, a peek inside the church, an antique

shop we missed, and of course, there's always the clock.....