Cowbridge Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these businesses and organisations in a feature called 'Up Close in Cowbridge'.

Today we had an exclusive tour around one of Cowbridge's own winter wonderland at West Hampton.

Now that Halloween and Bonfire Night are out the way, we're allowed to mention the phrase 'Christmas shopping', aren't we?

For some, it's an exciting time to browse for gifts for our nearest and dearest, but for others it's something that makes them feel like a (rein)deer in headlights.

But for those in Cowbridge feeling nervous – you're in luck. With a store like West Hampton on your high street, shopping for friends, family, and even yourself, is like walking through a blissful winter wonderland.

Co-owners and partners Peter Knowles and Andy Bradshaw opened the shop on Penny Lane almost two years ago, on the day of the annual Reindeer Parade.

Although the pandemic has put a halt to certain parts of normal life, Peter and Andy wanted to make the shopping experience as pleasant as possible for customers.

"We always try to make the shopping experience at West Hampton as enjoyable, from what you see, to what you hear and smell," said Peter.

"When the first lockdown hit, we stripped the whole shop out and created a layout where people can move wherever they feel, but with lots of crossing places.

"You don't have to follow a one-way system where you might not be able to go back to what you wanted to look at, or feel pressured by someone coming behind you.

"We wanted it to be relaxing and pleasant, and the response from customers was incredible.

"They feel safe coming in, and safe that they can touch things or smell things, knowing it's been sanitised," he said.

The beauty of the shop comes from Andy's background in theatrical and television design, for which he's won four BAFTAs, which gives him the creative vision and technique to make dazzling displays.

"He's one of those people who can make something out of nothing," Peter says of his business partner and husband.

"You could give him a box of things, like they do on Masterchef, of random bits and bobs, and he'll come back having made something spectacular.

"And when you ask how he did it, he says 'I just did!'," said Peter.

At their shop in Penarth, Peter and Andy are renowned for spectacular themed Christmas displays, from Narnia to the Enchanted Garden.

This year in Penarth an ethereal thread runs through the shop, thanks to pieces by an Austrian artist Gisela Graham.

In Cowbridge, the shop sells glass baubles designed by her, but also decorations that celebrate life in the countryside, such as Father Christmas on a tractor.

The country theme in West Hampton Cowbridge also stems from a collection of bee-themed products.

"Bees are massively important to our ecosystem, so we put together a collection of products that are themed with bees, from seed bombs to teapots, to cutlery, and aprons," said Peter.

"The line designed by Michelle Willeter has been really popular. She does this beautiful water-colour artwork on cushions, tea towels and place mats."

Another bee-based item is honey gin, made by Tamsin at Blossom and Nectar.

"She has beehives along the River Taff, a beautiful location for the bees to make honey, which has been infused into the gin," said Peter.

"It has the most delicate fragrance and honey flavour, so it's best on the rocks or a splash of tonic."

Other confectionary at West Hampton includes chocolate from Love Cocoa, a company run by the great, great grandson of John Cadbury.

Peter also showed Nub News a new line of bath and body products, only available at one other shop beside West Hampton.

"It's called Noble Isle, and the products come in a range of scents such as rhubarb rhubarb', 'tea rose' inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show, a much lighter fragrance called 'willow song', and a really unique scent 'whiskey and water'," said Peter.

"You could completely self-indulgent and buy one for yourself, but they're also perfect as a gift."

With so many independent retailers struggling through lockdown, Peter and Andy are grateful for the support they've had from customers.

"We've had so many customers saying they're doing all their Christmas shopping locally this year," said Peter.

"They're supporting their local independent shops, which is really great to hear. To have people not just continuing to support, but to go out of their way to shop with us to help ensure our high-street continues to thrive.

"We have the most beautiful arrangement of shops in Cowbridge, and we'd like to thank everyone for their support," he said.

While online shopping can be convenient, Peter compared it to online dating, where things aren't always as they seem:

"You look at a few things, and you find something that looks good but when it arrives it's not what you expected it to be," said Peter.

"Whereas, when you shop in a real shop, you see things.

"It's like when you meet someone's eyes across a room, and you fall in love with them. You'll spot something and know it's the right product for you," he said.