I was in London over Memorial Day weekend and came across a surprisingly large selection of mugs and other dishware at the Waitrose (a UK supermarket chain) at the Canopy Market near King’s Cross.
Not sure if you can tell, but the shape of these mugs is slightly tapered, so they’re not as boxy as so many offerings are. I’ve seen similar shapes labeled as “latte” mugs. They looked to be around 10-11 ounces in capacity, although I didn’t think to check the labels to be sure.
But what I love most about these mugs is the super pretty painting of a songbird sitting on a flowering branch. Executed in a watercolor style, the brilliant yellow, blues, and greens of the plump bird contrasts beautifully against the pink flowers.
The design went all the way around the mugs, although I didn’t have a chance to get a picture of the other side. They seemed to be a nice quality ceramic and so I would assume they’re microwave and dishwasher safe.
And the price? Only £4.50 (~ $5.71). The only reason I didn’t get one was I had already bought a mug the previous day and didn’t think I could fit a second one in my limited luggage space!
I’ll be better prepared next time I’m in London, for sure! They had several other designs that also tempted me (and I’ll be featuring them in other posts for you).
And if you’re visiting London, I highly recommend exploring the area north of King’s Cross Station (if you can escape the Harry Potter souvenir shop…). They’re doing a lot of work to revitalize the area, and there’s a growing selection of shops, restaurants, and public spaces around Regents Canal and Granary Square. And it’s mostly locals – a good escape from all the tourist crowds.
