
Scriptum in Oxford
There is a store in Oxford I love more than anything else.
It’s called Scriptum, and it is a writer’s dream.
You find it at the end of a small lane and if you didn’t know it’s there, you’d walk right by it.
Because there’s only a very small front window and an unassuming wooden door, but inside there’s a narrow, two story, funny shaped space full of fantasy and whimsy.
There is so much imagination there that I could spend a week discovering new things and still not see everything.
Among the fine stationery, ink wells, feather quills and hand crafted papers are the most unexpected things like scruffy, loved-to-death teddy bears, stuffed owls and Venetian masks.
But the things which bring me back every year are the most exquisite leather bound journals and notebooks, many with gilded edges and marbled papers.
This summer I found this! A working praxinoscope! (Wonder if I can make one…how hard can that be?)
There are also books. Not just ordinary books. Scriptum carries the most beautiful, special editions of the most beloved books.
But the real reason I come here is for my most favourite journals. I love these larger leather strap wrapped beauties in the rich, dark brown leather. I love these to pieces. They are filled with beautiful paper which is an absolute pleasure to draw and write on. You know how some journals grab the ink and the pen scrapes over the paper? These papers are so smooth and the pen/ink/pencil just glides making each important mark just perfect.
Nancy @ A Rural Journal
Are you sure you didn’t stumble into a Harry Potter scene? Gosh — what a gorgeous place! And love those journals too. xo
Veronica
Lol Nancy, there is a sort of joke and magic shop just around the corner from Scriptum and there they sell Harry Potter wands! 🙂
daryledelstein
oh i am in love with this shop and the dizzingly view was superb! oxford must be a fabulous place to wander … i am definitely coming over there next summer … you will hear me knocking at your door one day for sure!
Veronica
Fantastic Daryl! You’ll be welcome with open arms. 🙂
julochka
those journals are scrumptious.
Veronica
They’re amazing Julie. 🙂
Sara v
I have always loved journals and lovely writing things–I used to be a pen fanatic, I hunted them down and tried every one until I found the one that felt perfect in my hand and had just the right point–when rollerball pens came out I was in heaven! Now I hardly use a pen at all–a bit sad, but then lots of trees are happy that all my writing is on a screen 🙂 thank you for that lovely visit, it was delightful!
Veronica
That’s the way it is with me too Sara, but then I look at my old journals and my children’s summer journals and the memories are so fantastic that I try to keep up with the tradition. 🙂
Jennifer J. Chow
What a lovely place! I wish I could browse in that store. The journals are too gorgeous–I don’t think I would even try to write in them.
Veronica
I know Jennifer, I feel the same way. The pristine and pure paper is just a little intimidating. Also, I tend to start on about the third page just in case I absolutely hate the first picture/writing and have to tear it out…lol What am I like? 🙂
marrianna.
Do you know who manufactures they wonderful leather journals and whether or not the can be found over here across the pond? I am a journal ahold and would LOVE, absolutely, LOVE to order one or more of these.
I love all the photos you took in the book shop. What a real treasure trove! Lucky you. When do you have to return to Canada?
Okay, I look forward to hearing from you.
Marrianna in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Email: marrianna65@gmail.com
Veronica
Hi Marrianna, I’ll find out for you and let you know. I know I can buy them, or at least similar ones in a specialty paper goods boutique in Vancouver, but it’s not the same as actually going to this beautiful store and choosing the one. Hmm, I wonder if Scriptum ships to the states? 🙂
Marrianna
I emailed the store and yes, they do ship to the USA. I’m going to order one of those bright colored journals. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to Oxford, England, therefore, this is the next best choice. I’m the one that sent them the link to your blog post. I’m glad they commented on your blog post and want to link to it on FB. Good for you.
Veronica
Gosh Marianna that’s fantastic. Thank you so much. 🙂 I never think to send my posts around like that, and actually, the last time I spoke about a store, someone associated with the store didn’t like what I had to say and told me as much in a rant…gulp. But I’m so glad you are going to get one of the journals; they are just absolutely wonderful. Now I have to go pop over to your lovely blog and catch up with you. It’s been so busy here for this months since I accepted that garden commission, that I haven’t been around as much and I would liked to be. 🙂
michellepond
You know the best shops! I would have to move in.
Veronica
Me too Michelle, if they’d have me. 🙂
Hilary
What a wonderful store. A writer’s dream, yes but a photographer’s dream also. Wonderful stuff!
Veronica
So true Hillary. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to set up some beautiful vignettes in the store and have a photo shoot? I’d love it. 🙂
Scriptum (@Scriptum)
Dear Veronica,
What a lovely look at our shop! Thank you for your kind words and wonderful pictures. Would you mind if we put a link to your blog on our facebook page? We hope you call into Scriptum again and introduce yourself the next time you are in Oxford.
Very best wishes,
The Scriptum Team (new-fangled technology division)
Veronica
Hello new-fangled technology division. I will come in and say hello next time. Thank you so much. 🙂
Rebecca via Sanctuary
Ooh, aah, looks just like my kind of place, too,
and in one of my favourite towns of all times, Oxford…
A mental note has been, Scriptum it is whenever I get to visit that beautiful city again.
Thank you so much for sharing! x
Veronica
I’m glad you will Rebecca. Maybe when you do make it over I might also be here rather than in Vancouver and we can meet at some lovely place, like The Vaults at St Mary’s, for tea. 🙂 I’d love that.
Christie
My fingers are just itching to reach into your images and touch all those beautiful things! What a fantastic shop!! Thanks for sharing.
Veronica
I know Christie, I keep looking at the photos and thinking, “how’d I miss that thing I photographed over there?” and making mental notes to check things out next time. 🙂