These two lovely chaps, Bill and Rupert, will be offering tasting samples of their amazing fruit gins all morning. The Spirit of Ilmington range is made in a small distillery on Back Street and sold in Fortnum & Mason as well as Ilmington Community Shop. And while you’re sipping on the famous Ilmington Apple Brandy, […]

…Hamnet is the perfect choice for book club in Ilmington Community Café. William Shakespeare grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon, a few miles from our village, and departed for London as a young married man. Why did he leave his wife and twin children behind? What might be the connection between Hamnet, the son who died, and […]

We have a special relationship with one of Santa’s elves, who sends a personal reply! Adult customers also have a direct link to Christmas, via our chief elf and manager Michele. She’s got everything in hand, sourcing local suppliers and saving us from standing in supermarket queues. Let us put together your Christmas in a […]

There were candles on windowsills, irradiated Santas climbing walls and illuminated reindeer nibbling the grass. The tree atop St Mary’s Church sparkled proudly as the church bells rang. We gathered on the terrace at Ilmington Community Café and three-year-old Delilah Hawkins switched on the Christmas tree lights, with just a little help from her adult […]

…thanks to the efforts of village resident Sarah Hobson. For the past six years, Sarah has taken on the role of Christmas decorator-in-chief, making our elegant old church building look even more beautiful in darkest December. “The decorations were originally done on a budget with bits of painted wood,” says Sarah, “so it was time […]