Newcastle upon Tyne

This is the flagship store Fenwick, an independent chain of department stores. It's named after its founder, John James Fenwick. The Newcastle store was the first to be opened, in 1882.

It's famous for its Christmas windows:

which this year has a Beatrix Potter theme:

Inside the store, it's a great place for lovers of good food:

There's a good selection of cheeses:

selling cheese like Neil's Yard Ragstone, Chabbis and Selles sur Cher for goat's cheese lovers, and some nice Delice des Cremiers

strategically positioned by quince jelly.

If you prefer blue cheese:

there's a good choice, including Stichelton, Gorgonzola and Valdeón Picos Blue (for people who can't decide whether they want cow's, ewe's or goat's cheese)!

If you want some bread to go with your cheese, there's a good range from their own bakery:

I've been wanting to visit the Blagdon Farm Shop for a while, and was delighted to find that they run the butchers in Fenwick Newcastle:

where you can get items like local rabbit and partridge, Northumberland venison, as well as their own beef and pork, and lamb from Rothbury. Blagdon Home Farm is one of only 24 LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) demonstration farms in the country and is well worth supporting.

There are various interesting and different places to eat and drink in the store, including the Saltwater Fish Company - where you can enjoy seasonal freshly prepared fish and oysters from different beds as well as French-style fruits de mer platters

At Mason and Rye patisserie and café the cakes look stunning: