Located just outside of the town centre is Viables Craft Centre. Here you’ll find a selection of small businesses in workshop style buildings, a tea room, a community centre and Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society.

Read on to find out more about the businesses located there and visit their websites to check shop opening times. We can highly recommend the Parlour Tea Rooms and the kids will enjoy making a creation at Pots2paint or a visit to the model railway, open at various times of the year. So make sure you plan to visit!

The Parlour Tearoom

A family run traditional English tearoom located inside a beautiful old milking parlour with a true homestyle feel.  The Parlour Tearoom prides itself on homemade cakes and scones which are baked in house everyday by their wonderful team, as well as serving a variety of freshly made to order afternoon teas and light lunches. From the quaint and quirky interior to the vintage china cups they aim to give you their very own take on traditional afternoon tea.

It’s the perfect place to meet with friends, celebrate with loved ones or to enjoy a homemade cream tea.

Founded back in 2010, this tearoom has grown both in both size and popularity and gone on to achieve a multi award-winning status.

Laura Fisher Illustrations

Laura Fisher is able to welcome customers into a gift shop full of her luxury creative designs. From vegan home fragrance to luxury linens everything is proudly British made and brightly designed. You can also visit Laura’s space to attend candle making workshops or turn your hand to brush lettering.

From the studio you can expect to see the behind the scenes of a small business where all candles are blended and hand poured and orders loving packaged to send to new homes by Laura and her team!

Ma Humbugs

Step back in time with Ma Humbugs traditional sweet shop. You’ll find an array of sweets including sherbet lemons, strawberry bon bons and pear drops and not forgetting homemade fudge. They are displayed in old fashioned jars and measured out at the counter.  If you are looking for personalised party bags or gift boxes then pop in or drop them a line as they can help.

Petra Jewellery

Petra Jewellery offers jewellery repairs, restoration and remodelling along with bespoke commissions. They help people design their own engagement, wedding and eternity rings. They offer free design consultations either face to face at their workshop or via zoom.

Cake the Biscuit

Cake the Biscuit create bespoke cakes for all occasions along with biscuits, cupcakes and supplying corporate events. If you fancy trying your hand at cake decorating check out one of their workshops.

Natural Beauty

If you are looking for a bit of pampering then take a look at Natural Beauty Salon. They offer a range of treatments treating the hands or feet and an array of massages. They also cater for mums to be, new mums and men.  If you feel like treating a friend or loved one they offer gift vouchers too.

Alison’s Wonderland

Alison’s Wonderland is an independent gift shop situated at Viables Craft Centre. Alison curates well chosen and unique gifts and also makes hand made cards. A great collection of handbags, scarves and jewellery also make it a great place to treat yourself! Unique artworks using seaglass and other beachcombed treasure can be found here too.

Les Jolies Choses

Les Jolies Choses is a small independent lifestyle shop which sells an increasing range of eco-friendly and recycled products and items sourced from local and other British artisans.  You will also find a range of homewares and soft furnishings which change regularly, and items of painted furniture.

Pots2Paint

Head to Pots2Paint to entertain the kids. They can create something unique from a variety of bisque items. After creating a masterpiece or using baby prints the items are glazed and fired for collection on another day. Also a great activity for hen-dos, baby showers or kids parties.

Jeanette’s Engraving

Established in 1979, Jeanette’s Engraving, specialises in professional hand engraving and can cater for all your engraving needs.

Strawberry Fields

Run by Carol Gibbs, a professional portrait and landscape artist. You’ll find original painting and art classes and workshops at the Strawberry Fields Art Studio at Viables Craft Centre. Carol works with a range of media including watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel and pencil.

Sewfistication

Sewfistication is a fashion design and dressmaking business located at the Viables Craft Centre where owner and designer Sharon specialises in creating unique one of a kind garments. Sharon also teaches dressmaking classes at the Viables Community Centre and can offer one to one tuition.

Viables Community Centre

Viables Community Centre is a hub with lots going on. You’ll find lots of things to join in with and space to hire for events. Follow their Facebook page to be kept up to date.

Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society

Founded back in 1979, the Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society has always been based at Viables Craft Centre. Those interested in joining the society can contact them here. They offer public running days throughout the year for people to go along and enjoy a ride on one of the trains.

Viables Craft Centre is signposted from the M3 at Junction 6. When you arrive you will find FREE parking including disabled space and toilets and baby changing facilities. For more about Viables Craft Centre visit their website or take a look at the fab photos on their Instagram page.