A peaceful moorland village in the middle of the Peak National Park, Longnor is located on a limestone/gritstone ridge between the Dove and the Manifold rivers and is spread around a cross-roads which was once the junction of the eighteenth century turnpikes leading out across the wide moors to and from Buxton, Leek, Warslow and other peakland towns and villages. In recent years Longnor has become the gathering point for ramblers and walkers who come to walk in the Peak along the many footpaths starting from the village and leading off into the surrounding hills and dales and over wild moorland stretches.
The cobbled market square and the imposing old Market Hall are reminders of the days when Longnor was one of the earliest market towns in England. The square is now a parking facility and the market hall, still displaying the tolls above the entrance, has been restored and is now the home of the Longnor Craft Centre and Coffee Shop. Owned and operated by Peter Fox and Alison of Fox Country Furniture, the Centre derives several benefits from having a hardwood furniture maker as host. As you walk through the door your eye is drawn immediately to the elm chairs and ash tables of the Coffee Shop.
A quick scan round the open plan vista in front of you reveals a wide variety of crafts displayed on hand made stands and racks, complemented further by a range of smaller items such as stools, coffee tables, nests of tables, shelves, mirrors and a few larger pieces from our range of bespoke items.
Most of the output is made to order for private customers from timbers such as oak, ash, chestnut, elm and beech.
Throughout the twelve years of its existence it has always been local crafts people and artists whose work has been particularly featured and there are now some 30 contributors. These include potters, sculptors, woodturners, artists, photographers and jewellers. Alongside these are the woven woolly waistcoats, jackets and blankets from Stows of Sowerby and charming hand-made teddies, depicting many different characters.
Throughout the year several month long exhibitions may be held in the upper gallery, including the celebration of 20 years of Fox Country Furniture in September 2003.
The Coffee Shop continues the theme of quality, offering Taylors fine tea and coffee. All the cakes and scones are baked on the premises with several varieties approaching legendary status! There is also a small savoury range for a light lunch, including home-made soup, cheesy rolled oatcakes and Ploughman's Lunches.
As we hope you will have gathered from the above, this is a really comprehensive craft centre showing a wide diversity of items . Just the place to buy gifts for your friends - but we are sure you won't be able to resist buying something for yourself to remind you of the beauty that surrounded you on your visit to the Peak.
Best of all why not arrive in time to have a really good browse around, then sit down for a drink or a meal to reflect on everything you have seen so that you can make a final unhurried choice before you leave. This is shopping as it ought to be.