Orchard House Gift Shop

When Orchard House first opened on Hyde Park corner I was lured in a few times by the pretty things in the window — jewelry, a small ornamental table, candles and other decorative things. Inside a large proportion of the tiny space it occupies is taken up by cards. I was a bit disappointed as there is a card shop just over the road but not entirely as everything else seemed a bit classier, such as the jewelry. They have a few cabinets of unique earrings, necklaces and bracelets of varying price. As I write there are massive discounts on many things and up to a 70% discount on some items.
This is great for the bargain hunters but I fear it has been hit by the recession and may well close down soon. This is probably because — even though it houses tasteful things — everything was a bit too expensive pre-​discount. I often wandered in to have a nose around a few times without buying anything and the last time I went was not too taken. The sale signs have been hastily drawn and stuck in the window and there was a messy pile of cards in the corner, housed in the kind of shelving I would expect to find in a sandwich shop. It is a real shame to see Orchard House degenerate especially as there as new similar shops popping up in Headingley, but maybe it was badly placed?

Orchard House is really just what you’d expect of a standard gift shop. It sells a large selection of cards, though not many to my taste, and quite expensive. It also sells trinkets and gifts such as picture frames, ornaments and jewellery. To be honest I’ve never really understood the concept of gift shops, it kind of seems strange that certain items are labelled as ‘gifts’ before they’ve even been allocated a ‘givee’, and having the type of things I’d like to give chosen for me by someone else just seems a little odd.
But assuming you’re happy to run with the concept of a gift shop then I guess Orchard House might not be too much of a disappointment. It just doesn’t seem to have many products that really stand out and the prices are generally a bit steep. But if you need a gift quick and you’re in the area it may be worth a perusal.

A really lovely shop, run by a lovely friendly lady. If you’re stuck for a gift, or want a card that doesn’t just say ‘Clintons’ all over it, go here for something a bit different.