Saturday Shopping: Forest Hill, SE23

Stag and Bow is the sort of shop one dreams of having on one’s local high street, alas so original is the concept of this unique retail offer that this is not probable. The good news is, however, a jaunt to Forest Hill is well worth the trip, this busy and buzzy neighbourhood has so much going on and makes shopping in SE23 such great fun. Stag and Bow is the most delightful and inspiring store, full of fantastic finds; haberdashery requisites (Colette dressmaking patterns graded by required expertise £13.50), sit beside handcrafted goods and accessories (crocheted collars), vintage one-off pieces (art deco glass and framed Arthurian book plates) and some serious style statement items. I always admire the shop’s fabulous window displays with their unique style and elegance - usually one repeated item in different colourways - but this time store-owners Cyrus and Pascale have outdone themselves. Gloriously sunny Malaysian silk kaftans (£195) scream ‘buy-me’ to passing shoppers, just add a yacht and a Campari. Check out the Stag and Bow website for details of workshops and classes.
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Bunka, the lifestyle store next-door-but-one, is another must-see  shop   where lovely owner, Ayshin Demirci, cleverly and skilfully fills her emporium with an array of indispensable homewares and fashion. Team your Stag and Bow kaftan with Havaianas flip-flops (£24.95) or stock up on Orla Kiely toiletries. I loved the men’s paper trilbies by Selected Homme and the granite whiskey rocks ice cube alternatives by Sagaform.(great gifts for Father's Day tomorrow) Mini bath-bakes by Miss Patisserie (£4.95) make perfect presents. If you are shopping for gifts, and Bunka is packed with lots and lots of brilliant gift ideas, do not forget to pop along to the dedicated Bunka greeting card shop a few doors down. 

Sylvan Post is a watering hole with a difference, rather that strip out the interior of this former post office, the Royal Mail heritage has been incorporated into the utilitarian design of this trendy bar. Sylvan Post opens at noon at the weekends and 4pm during the week.
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Opposite in shop/gallery Doopo Doopo expect the unexpected, the curated co-operative space showcases the work of local designers and artists. I was rather taken by the Best in Show dog dolls (£30) and satchel purses by N’Admus (£75). Doopo Doopo also organises workshops and events, checkout the website for more information. 

If you are feeling peckish Aga’s Little Deli serves three cheeses sandwiches with leak and red onion on sourdough bread with salad for £5.05 and Monmouth Coffee. You can also buy olive oil from Crete on tap. Or if a sugar hit is what you need old-fashioned sweet shop Sugar Mountain dispenses traditional sweets to take away, or you can grab a wonderfully retro styled booth, complete with banquettes and shadow tables displaying 1970’s sci-fi memorabilia - and enjoy an ice cream or hot fudge drink (depending on our undependable weather!). If savoury is more your thing, Sugar Mountain stocks the wonderful artisan range of Mike’s Homemade chutneys. 

Dapper is a small well stocked source of vintage furniture and curios, if you see something you like grab it as things do not hang around too long, with eagle eyed shoppers and the area’s population of stylists and creatives keen to snap up the unusual. 

Marie's Boutique, is a one stop stop for fabulous fashion accessories, Vans KVD slip-ons are a summer must have at £39.99 as are Converse Boating hi-tops, £42.99 and Converse Chuckit laceless slip-ons in red or navy, £36.99. Marie's boutique has a great selection of Ben Sherman shirts too and leather Nike bags, £110, are great for the gym, office or overnight. 

Chantel Wedderburn’s Best of Both Boutique is a blend of vintage and new fashion, women's clothes and accessories. Brands represented include TFNC, Lipsy, Pia Michi, Charas and Hybrid but also look out for one-off pieces from new faces. 

Laurel’s Florist has been delivery flowers and bouquets all over London for almost 25 years, the family

business is a Forest Hill institution and I love to pop in for bedding plants or my favourite English marigolds, which remind me of summers spent in the parks of my childhood. 

Stag and Bow, Bunka, Sylvan Post, Doopo Doopo, Aga’s Little deli, Sugar Mountain, Dapper, Marie's Boutique, Best of Both Boutique and Laurel’s Florist are all located on Dartmouth Road, London SE23. 

Finches Emporium is a one stop shop for ski and snowboarders, where you can buy or hire and even get your skis and boards repaired. 

Finches Emporium is on Perry Vale, London SE23. 

Berries Crêperie enticed me in with the suggestion of a summer fruits crêpe (£4.50), the area is certainly not short of fabulous food establishments. In fact it is foodie and coffee lovers’ heaven. I absolutely adore the traditional Polish fayre at Edytas – of which I have already spoken, more here – Thai Orchard is elegant and airy and also makes deliveries, St David’s Coffee House is charming beyond compare and From The Forest is conveniently placed opposite Forest Hill Station, where you will also find On The Hoof coffee bar. Canvas and Cream, the restaurant and art gallery, has been highly recommended to me by friends who know their stuff, and I am  excited to try their lovely sounding menu in their delightful space. As I headed home, looking forward to one last pit stop - and one of my favourites - the shop at Horniman Museum - I paused for a very welcome cup of tea and an ample Alice in Wonderland sized slice of Victoria sponge at the Teapot. 

Berries Crêperie is on Dartmouth Road, Thai Orchard, St David’s Coffee House (left) are on Davids Road, From the Forest is on Devonshire Road, and Canvas and Cream and The Teapot are both on London Road, all London SE23.

Find out about the Portas Pilot for Sydenham, Kirkdale and Forest Hill by visiting the informative website

Discover more about Forest Hill Fashion retailers and designers and plan a visit to Forest Hill Fashion Week in September, including a catwalk show at Horniman Museum here.

Lawrence's monthly shopping column appears in the SE Magazines group of publications. Click here to read online.