Overview

3.5 miles out of Stratford apon Avon, along the B439 with its open country views, you will find the delightful Bonds Lifestyle store, and we highly recommend a early morning, or afternoon visit to this fascinating department store. All things old, with a modern touch will give hours of interest. The Sat NAV, CV37 9ST, actually directs you to Dodwell Parc and Caravan park, which is some 200m further up on the Evesham Road, so approaching Bonds keep your eye open, as depending on which direction you arrive, you will either get there before the caravan park, or you will need to drive on if coming from Stratford direction for a few more yards, but you cannot miss it as well signed. Your first stop must be coffee at their delightful cafe, serving a home made menu with a very good Italian coffee, beautifully presented by willing and helpful staff. However, it is a very popular visit for family and friends to meet, and they can be busy at times, even if all seats are not occupied, and as they serve attentively the service may take a while, but it’s worth the wait, so give yourself time to relax and enjoy your visit, as sadly we live in a very mad fast passed world, and we want things now, not later, so please, relax and enjoy. Bonds state that they will allow well behaved dogs into their store and cafe, but must be on a lead, and a bowl of water awaits your little friends. Their outdoor ware is top quality, (top price of course) but really good, with a nice decorative selection, I particularly like their Bug boxes, which will help train your youngsters towards helping our Bug friends grow and help in conservation projects. Bonds hold regular workshops, which you may find of interest, such as Willow Weaving, Loom Weaving, Fused glass decorations, Ceramic animals, and much more. The approach to Bonds looks inviting (photo 1) and interesting, and seems to invite you to come inside and explore. The disabled parking with just two bays (photo 2) is to the right, while the main car park is over to the left with plenty of parking. Opposite the disabled parking area (photo 3) is the cafes outdoor seating area, which is a must, but the slightly raised ramp proved to be a little awkward, and rather hard for carer to get the chair over, and they do have a warning sign in place as uneven ground to be aware of. But nothing of worry though, you will manage. However, if the weather is not suitable to sit outside, then go in through the main entrance (photo 4) which is on the level, with automatic sliding doors, and on your right is the inside seating for a truly delightful place to enjoy your coffee and snack break. (Photo 5) There is plenty of room for the wheelchair, whether you sit inside or outside (photo 6). Do try their warm scone, with jam and butter, or with cream as well, and you will find it beautifully presented served with a very good Italian coffee (photo 7). As you enter the store through the main doors, there is a sanitizer desk for your use, then plenty of room to move about through the plants (photo 8) of which there are many and all in excellent condition. There are many items to browse through, (photo 9) scooters and wheelchairs will have no problems getting around, but power chairs may struggle in some spots, , but even so, by carefully choosing your route you would not miss anything. There is also an upstairs department, (photo 10) which looks very appealing, but unfortunately there are many steps to climb, (photo 11) and no lift, so the disabled person would have to miss out in this area. A new disabled lift installed would be so nice, but expensive for store to supply, so sadly a miss for us at this time. All the displays are beautifully done (photo 12) to look like you are in your living room, and your imagination works overtime while going around these places. The furniture department awaits you (photo 13) and again some very attractive furniture is on view for you. At the far end you come to the disabled toilet (photo 14) perhaps a little narrow here to move around, then the disabled toilet (photo 15) is big enough to get wheelchair into, spotlessly clean, has grab rails and pull cord, and there is a baby changing table in there, with plenty of sanitizers everywhere. On leaving the toilets, before you go out of the main door there are large displays of artificial flowers, which look so real and are so colourful, you will spend some time just looking at these and there are still many things to browse through as you get towards the main exit (photo 17) and then it’s the exit to get you back to your car (photo 18). Our final thoughts We have enjoyed visiting this interesting store a couple of times now, and it’s still worth a visit, it’s so interesting, varied and appealing, we feel sure you will enjoy it, yes, even the men folk, and we highly recommend Bonds Lifestyle.

Transport & Parking

It’s just 3.5 miles out of Stratford apon Avon, and we parked to the right of entering property, with just two parking bays, but other bays available as well.

Access

The driveway is mainly compressed chippings around disabled bays, concrete elsewhere, and easy enough to get into store. A one way system is in place, but ample room to move around, and if tight in spots, the staff are so willing, they will support you to get around safely.There is an upstairs area as well, but no lift, so sadly the disabled person will have to miss out here. Other than this, you can see almost everything. The delightful cafe has enough room to take your chair, inside or outside, but it can be busy at times.

Toilets

The disabled toilet was spotlessly clean, roomy and may be easy enough to spin around in. The passage to reach it may be tight for powerchair though, so you will need to pick your route carefully. There are grab rails and pull cord.

Staff

Very friendly, carefully taught to be polite and helpful, and will do all they can to support you.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Certainly felt safe here, clean throughout, sanitizers available, and we do recommend a visit if you are a little worried. Although you can move about quite easily, some areas are a little tight for powerchair, and although a large upstairs area, there are no lifts at the time of our visit in September 2021, so had to miss out seeing the area. We have visited before and will most definitely visit again and again.

Photos