Located in the heart of Lee village, the Old School Room Craft Gallery and Gift Shop is a welcoming space filled with local art, handmade pieces and thoughtful gifts.
We caught up with Louise and Daisy Mae Thompson, the mother and daughter duo who own and run the Old School Room to find out more about the story behind it, what makes it so special, and why Lee Bay continues to inspire them.
For anyone who hasn’t discovered it yet, how would you describe the Old School Room, and can you tell us a bit about its history?
Daisy: The Old School Room was once the village school, built in 1859, and is now home to our shop where we sell a wide range of contemporary local art and crafts. The building has kept so much of its original character, including the beautiful, vaulted ceiling with beams and the old school bell, which came from a shipwreck.
How did the idea for the business come about?
Louise: Over the years, different people rented the building. I started working here when the previous leaseholder ran it as a gift shop. There was a brief gap when the tenancy ended and in 2008, I decided to take on the lease myself and re-open the shop. I’m a trained printmaker and artist, so I decided to open it as a craft gallery focusing on selling handmade items.
What can visitors expect to find when they step inside?
Daisy: Together the business has evolved, and we now sell a range of artwork, books, art materials, ceramics, jewellery and gift wares.
We have also started selling coffee and ice creams ever since the tea rooms in the village closed. There is outside seating in our garden for our customers to enjoy their takeaway coffees and sweet treats.
How long have you been based in Lee Bay, and what first drew you to this place?
Louise: I grew up in Lee Bay so I have strong connections with family still living in the village and surrounding local areas, and I have now run the gallery and gift shop for more than 16 years!
What do you love most about running a business in Lee Bay?
Daisy: It’s the most peaceful and unique place to be. To walk out of the gallery and have a pretty garden, historic church and a short walk to the sea, it’s very different to having a gallery in a bustling high street. Being off the beaten track, social media is an invaluable tool for us to reach our audience and promote the beauty of Lee Bay and The Old School Room.
One of the joys of running The Old School Room is that we get to choose all the products we love, as well as make art ourselves and curate the displays to show them off to visitors.
How does the local community shape the feel of the shop?
Louise: We hope we have created a sociable hub for visitors and locals alike to relax and catch up.
We pride ourselves on being friendly and are happy to help if visitors need directing on a walk or to chat about any questions about the local area. In a world that is fast paced we hope visiting The Old School Room rebalances their day with some peace and quiet.
What is your favourite time of year in Lee Bay?
Daisy: Lee Bay is lovely all year round, however our favourite time of year is spring time. All the snowdrops and primroses begin to cover the banks around the village. We close in January and reopen in February so it’s the beginning of our season too.
What does being an independent business mean to you personally?
Louise: Running a business in Lee Bay is so lovely, our favourite part of this is the community around us.
What do you hope people take away with them after visiting, beyond what they buy?
Daisy: In Lee there are several creative artists, and we showcase a selection of their work alongside other products and artists from further afield, so it’s great to be able to advertise their work to a wider audience
The Old School Room is one of the places that helps give Lee Bay its distinctive character. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by! Keep an eye on their socials for their current opening times.
For those inspired by its creative community, coastal surroundings and slower pace of life, discover more about our new homes for sale in Lee Bay.
