We’ve found the outlets up and down the country offering quality cutlery and glassware at bargain prices.

Just as Stoke-on-Trent is the traditional destination for pottery, so those in search of cutlery bargains may well want to head to Sheffield, home of England’s silversmiths. But if you’d prefer to let your mouse do the legwork, there are also plenty of great cutlery buys to be found online. For crystal and glassware though, your best bet is to window shop online and then visit a factory shop. By choosing the glasses yourself, you can pick out the ‘slight seconds’ that don’t offend your eye and save 50%.

Dartington Crystal
As little as half original price. At 17,000 square feet, the Dartington Crystal factory shop is probably the biggest glassware shop in England. They have full stock of the current range of glassware and crystal from Dartington and Nachtmann, both first quality and seconds. The best bargains to be had are the seconds, exclusive to the factory, at up to 50% off. In Dartington’s eyes, three minor imperfections and a piece of fine crystal qualifies as a second, so visit the shop and browse to find the ones that don’t offend your eyes and you’ll save a fortune. Torrington, Devon EX38 7AN. Call 01805 626262 www.dartington.co.uk

Nazeing Glass
Hand-made English cut glass at import prices. The Nazeing factory shop stocks first-quality glassware plus an ever-changing selection of ends of line and factory seconds at reduced prices. You can pick up a proper hand-made English cut glass for £5-10 – a price that rivals eastern European imports, but you’ll notice the difference in workmanship. Ring first to check on stock. Seconds and overs from commercial clients throw up plenty of surprises. For example, they might sell off tumblers for 20p to clear space. Best of all, the factory shop is just a short drive north of London, and not far from the beautiful Lea Valley Park, so you can combine a family day out with finding beautiful bargain glassware.
Nazeing New Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 6SU. Call 01992 708250
www.nazeing-glass.com

David Mellor
From 10% to over 50% off. Eschew the Sloane Square shop and instead visit the Sheffield factory where ‘king of cutlery’ David Mellor makes his fine dining utensils. At the factory shop you’ll get a 10% discount on all cutlery, simply because it’s made on site. If you don’t mind waiting for a bargain though, visit during their two-week January sale. Then there’s 15-20% off all cutlery, plus a selection of ex-display and end-of-line quality cutlery at great reductions often less than half price. The Round Building, Hathersage, Sheffield S32 1BA. Call 01433 650220 www.davidmellordesign.com

Arthur Price
Up to 60% off. This factory shop sells every range of cutlery that you see on their website, plus a few discontinued lines. Items are typically ex-display or slight seconds, but blemishes are so small that you’d struggle to see them with the naked eye. Discounts are up to 60% off the normal retail price. Arthur Price of England is their premium classic range and Guy Degrenne is the top-end for modern styles. They also make services in sterling silver (which you won’t find on the website) and there are usually a few of them in the shop at fantastic discounts. Plus they sell the ornate Clive Christian range, unique in the cutlery world. The factory shop usually stocks all patterns, but it’s best to window-shop on the website and then ring ahead to check on stock. Alternatively you can buy over the phone.
Britannia Way, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 9UY. Call 01543 257775
www.arthur-price.co.uk

For further information please visit www.homesandbargains.co.uk