Many of us know Hedge End for its retail park of supersized superstores. However, a couple of roundabouts away is the heart of this rapidly expanding town with a ‘high street’ (aka Lower Northam Road) of great independents alongside a useful outpost of Cotswold Outdoor. It has a community feel with a village market every Wednesday and a popular local pub. Gents Barber Club is recommended. So, too, is family-friendly Springtides Cafe and J-Henry’s Fish & Chips. New on the scene is Cafe Cream which opened in February.
www.gentsbarberclub.co.uk
www.facebook.com/springtidescafe
www.southamptonfishandchips.co.uk/j-henrys
Coop Micro Bar has been here six years, but under new management since last summer. This destination Bar has local gins, craft beers, such as Unity, and a mixologist creating delicious cocktails. An electronic board shows which beers and ciders are on sale and how many pints are left of each.
www.coopmicrobar.uk
A surprise is Janice Barfoot Cake and Sugarcraft Centre. There is an amazing shop with tin hire, celebration cakes, classes and workshops. These include: Easter Macaron Masterclass, Sat 19 Apr; Vintage-Style Cupcakes, Sat 3 May; Buttercream Piping Skills, Sat 7 Jun..
www.janicebarfootcakes.com
