We’ve featured some fantastic Indie Durham City cover stars over the past year, but few can match The Kemble Gallery in the heritage stakes.
Not only is it one of the city’s longest established independent businesses – trading in Saddler Street since the 1960s – but it also occupies one of the city’s most historic properties, a beautiful timber-framed building that is more than 500 years old.
Under its current ownership since 2015, manager Sophy is the face of the business, welcoming customers old and new to one of Durham’s most delightful shops.
Peek inside the gallery’s lovely window and you can be forgiven for thinking that it’s a tiny shop all on the ground floor. Head inside, though, and there are three fantastic floors to explore, not only featuring some beautiful fine art and Durham-related gifts, but also a whole floor of quality art supplies – perfect for anyone who has used previous lockdowns to discover, or rediscover, their talents for painting or drawing! If you’ve got your own artworks that you want to display at home, The Kemble Gallery has also built up a strong reputation over the years for its bespoke framing service.
Of course, while The Kemble Gallery has an impressive history, businesses that last so long only do so by constantly evolving to keep offering the customer what they need – and the gallery certainly ticks all the boxes on that front.
If you’re not able to get to Durham, many items can be ordered online via the gallery website, with delivery available to the UK and internationally. Alternatively, there’s also a click-and-collect option.
Now open seven days a week, Sophy and her Kemble Gallery colleagues look forward to welcoming you! The business is very active on social media at @kemblegallery – including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter – so be sure to give it a follow for all the latest updates.
