Welcome Autumn!

Autumn is here and although some of you might feel summertime sadness there is no reason to be low! Watching movies on the couch, drinking a cup of hot chocolate in good company and enjoying a walk in a park full of tree leaves are some of the most typical things that we like to do when the weather becomes colder and the days shorter.

The countryside is full of beautiful places to walk around and we'd like to share with you some of the best to make sure that you take advantage of your free time this autumn.

Hurst Green to Oxted (Surrey-Kent)

Length: 4.7 miles 

Duration: Three hours

Start: Hurst Green Station

Finish: Oxted Station

Getting there: Two trains per hour (one on Sunday) run from London Victoria to Hurst Green (journey time: 39 minutes – 49 minutes on Sunday). Trains from Oxted also run to Victoria. Drivers should park at Hurst Green and get the train back there from Oxted, one stop down the line.

Walk notes: This is the short version of a satisfying and reasonably gentle walk along the hills of north Kent and Surrey, much of it passing through woodland along the Greensand Way. This walk is especially attractive in autumn, offering a beautiful show of russets, browns and yellows when the leaves turn.

Saunderton via West Wycombe circular (Buckinghamshire)

Length: 10 miles

Duration: Five hours

Start and finish: Saunderton Station

Getting there: Trains run hourly between Marylebone and Saunderton (journey time: 42-51 minutes). For those driving, Saunderton Station car park is free.

Walk notes: This walk combines an easy stroll in the Chilterns through a mixture of woodland and sloping meadows.

Alton circular (Hampshire)

Length: 13.1 miles

Duration: Six hours 30 minutes

Start and finish: Alton Station

Getting there: Two trains per hour run between London Waterloo and Alton (one hourly on Sundays; journey time: about one hour 10 minutes). Alton Station has a pay car park, which costs £3.60 a day. There is also a free car park near Kings Pond or you can park anywhere in the centre of Alton and walk to the station to start.

Walk notes: The quiet corner of Hampshire through which this walk passes seems like the kind of countryside in which nothing much has ever happened. Yet in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century it inspired two famous writers – the naturalist Gilbert White and Jane Austen. 

Don't forget to take with you the Conical Flask! The best way to bring water with you during the walk!

Clipping I: Despertando a Shakti

Last Tuesday we published in our Facebook and Twitter profiles, the first press collaboration that we made.

Ruth Álvarez, the owner of Despertando a Shakti blog in Spain, interviewed us. Then she posted it in her own blog (link) the interview to make Spanish people know Hardy&Parsons.

We talked about many things. Find them here!

Ruth Álvarez: What are Hardy & Parsons’ origins?

Hardy & Parsons: Hardy & Parsons was founded in 2002 by Maurice Greig in order to address a niche in the market, that liked using belts and goods made in leather,s following the traditional processes and manufactured 100% ​​in England.

R.A.: What is your value proposition?

H&P: Goods hand made by craftsmen in leather, inspired by the equestrian world and the English countryside. Each product is individually  made, with excellent materials. One of our features is the smell of leather, a quality that our customers identify and appreciate.

R.A.: What type of product do you offer?

H&P: Belts for men and women and leather articles such as cases for pens and mobile phones, and other leather accessories such as dog collars and leads, key fobs, drink cabinets, etc.

R.A.: What is your target customer?

H&P: Those customers who value quality, who know what they want and are willing to pay for it. They buy a product with the guarantee that it will last a lifetime and they see this purchase as an investment. Hardy & Parsons’ products are timeless, as opposed to the concept of "buy and discard".

R.A.: You are manufacturers and distributors? Do you sell outside of the UK?

H&P: The products are manufactured entirely in England and distributed worldwide. Firms selling our belts in London are Fur Feather & Fin, Stuarts London and Joseph. We also have a showroom in Chelsea, where customers can come and buy our products. But we also sell products in the U.S., Japan and Europe.

R.A.: And Spain?

H&P: Spain is a difficult market, there are brands with great tradition and quality in leather goods. There is strong competition.

R.A.: Do you invest in advertising?

H&P: Advertising is very expensive and is difficult to measure the impact that a campaign can have on television, not really knowing if you've reached your target. Our communication policy is focused on reaching markets through the specialized press, bloggers and exhibitions.

R.A.: Are you on the social networks: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google +, Pinterest...? What do you think of the web environment and the social networking phenomenon?

H&P: Social networks are essential, they are an element of communication with which you can reach more people and make yourself known, you may display your product and your potential customers see you. They are an important showcase. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogger and Vimeo.

R.A.: There is a trend to buy low-cost products. Is there room for those who value quality?

H&P: Yes. There has always been an audience looking for quality products and it will remain. They prefer to pay more and have a good product that they can use for a lifetime, rather than buyig five low-cost belts that just last a season. And this sort of client does not change his mind.

You can follow Ruth Álvarez on Facebook and Twitter. 

SHOWCASE IRELAND 2013

This year we've been traveling around Europe from fair to fair. We've already told you about our experiences in IWA and BETA, but there are some more... We also have been in SHOWCASE IRELAND 2013. 

Showcase is Ireland's Creative Expo, now in its 38th year. It's the chance to stock up on unique, designed products in fashion, knitwear, crafts, gifts and home accessories that will give the competitive edge. 

If you missed this event, we hope to see you next year!

Plans for the weekend I: Going to the beach

We have already spoken about what we can do on holidays and long weekends. Do you remember the posts where we gave you some ideas, such as picnicking and going to the countryside? Now it’s time to think about something new: going to the beach! 

 

Living on an island and being surrounded by the sea makes us love the coast and all the activities we can practice there. Swimming, surfing, diving or sunbathing are some of the most favorite ways of spending some free days. 

 

But, where can we go? Don’t miss this selection of the best beaches near to London. 

 

Leigh on Sea Beach

When the tide comes in it is great for swimming, windsurfing and sailing, however be aware that there is no lifeguard cover at any time.

 

 

 

Tankerton Beach

Good for swimming, this is a pebble and shingle beach with an intriguing natural causeway to explore.

Seaford Bay

Shingle beach with a few features to explore and good water for swimming.

Camber Sands

Mountainous sand dunes and vast expanses so even when it's full you can find a space for yourselves.

 

Collaboration 2: Hardy&Parsons + Fur Feather & Fin

Continuing with the collaborations section, we’d like to show you another website where you can find some of our belts. It’s the turn of Fur Feather & Fin.

Established in 1978 by Angie and Sam Simonds, Fur Feather and Fin is a family run business based in the lovely setting of Charlton, West Sussex, home to the first Hunt in England. Their HQ is a beautiful old stable and barn at the base of Goodwood Racecourse on the South Downs.

They set up their business with a view to provide gifts for those who love countrylife and its many sporting pursuits. Their gifts are practical and useful although some can be fun and amusing too!

Their Country Sporting Gift Collection has been chosen carefully and tested thoroughly as they pride themselves on the good quality of the gifts they offer and we hope they will give a lot of pleasure to those who receive them.

Find our products here:

  

Green and Red Belt

Navy and Yellow Belt

 

Red and Navy Belt

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!!