Wrendale Designs

Wrendale Designs: A Little Piece of the British Countryside A beautifully curated in-store white display unit filled with Wrendale Designs plush toys, cushions, socks, bags, and illustrated gifts at White Orchard Shrewsbury

White Orchard's primary display of gifts from Wrendale Designs sits centre stage in the heart of the shop, making it easy to browse through the carefully curated assortment of gifts. 

If you’ve ever stepped into White Orchard and found yourself smiling at a quirky, paint-splattered hedgehog or a soulful-looking Highland cow in the wind, you’ve already met the magic of Wrendale Designs. 

We often get asked how Wrendale grew from a few sketches at a kitchen table into a global sensation, and the truth feels like a chat over a warm cup of tea. It all started in 2012 when founder Hannah Dale, inspired by the Lincolnshire countryside, took a leap of faith. She and her husband Jack attended their very first buying fair in London that year with just a handful of greeting cards. 

Fast forward to today, and that small family venture has blossomed into an international success story. Wrendale now shares its charm with over 47 countries, and the team has grown from just Hannah and Jack to a bustling family of over 50 people. They’ve even caught the eye of royalty, winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2019 and the King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024. Despite all the trophies, they remain the same lovely, down-to-earth company we fell in love with over a decade ago. 

Wrendale Designs gifts display shelf showing illustrated glasses cases, journals, notebooks, and a gift bag at White Orchard Shrewsbury.

Our selection of gifts from Wrendale Designs is as varied as their beautiful collections are. 

Our Journey Together 

I am proud to say White Orchard and Wrendale go back many years. In fact, we were one of their very first stockists! We first crossed paths at that debut buying fair in 2012 and knew instantly that our customers would adore Hannah’s artwork. 

Since George and I took over the shop in 2019, our Wrendale collection has grown right alongside the brand. What started as two display units of gifts at the back at the shop with their “Country Set” cards has evolved into a full Wrendale takeover! You’ll now find their beautiful gifts sitting pride of place in our largest three-piece display unit right in the centre of the shop. They’ve even spilled over into our precious baby section and often take over our window displays - mostly because we simply can’t resist ordering as many of their fabulous new pieces as we can fit!  

We’ve also improved our offerings of their greeting cards, now offering 4 of their collections instead of just the one. With new collections coming each year, we may soon find ourselves in quite the predicament as we look for more space so we can bring them to life in the shop and online. 

Wrendale Designs Little Wren baby collection shelf featuring a dressed doll alongside soft bamboo baby socks and matching hat and mitten sets at White Orchard Shrewsbury.

Our customers have truly fallen in love with the Little Wren Collection. From their luxuriously soft baby onesies to their hats and mittens it can be hard to limit yourself when buying them as gift for someone you love.

A Partnership Built on Friendship 

One of my favourite parts of being a shop owner is the relationships we build behind the scenes. I work very closely with our Wrendale sales rep, who has become a dear friend over the years. Twice a year we sit down over lunch analysing sales data to ensure we are bringing in the exact pieces you’ll love most. 

But it’s not just about the business; it’s about the heart. Last year, a local charity in Shrewsbury reached out to us. They were looking for cards and stationery for a pen-pal program they offer to help seniors in our community who were feeling isolated. I reached out to my amazing friend at Wrendale to see if they could help. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, they stepped up in a magnificent way, donating 500 packs of greeting cards! Seeing a global brand take such a personal interest in a local Shropshire charity they had never even heard of was truly remarkable. It’s moments like those that remind us why Wrendale Designs is our second best-selling line - they aren't just making products; they’re making a difference.

 Adam standing beside a car boot packed with boxes of greeting cards and stationery donated by Wrendale Designs to the Shropshire based charity, Omega, he represents.

The generosity behind this incredible donation continues to warm my heart. We love working with companies who are equally committed to supporting their local community as we are. 

The Magic in the Detail 

Hannah Dale’s signature watercolour style - those beautiful characters and iconic paint splatters - continues to evolve. Her R&D team is constantly finding innovative ways to bring her art to life for all of us to enjoy, from plush toys to luxury stationery and travel accessories, everything they do is simply wonderful. 

We’ve even heard some "top secret" whispers about a brand-new product line currently in development. While we can’t say anything yet, we know the care and research they put into every launch. If it’s Wrendale, we have no doubt it will be incredible. 

A photo collage of Wrendale Designs plush characters including Adele the Robin, Beryl the Sheep, and a donkey soft toy at White Orchard Shrewsbury

The fun and whimsicle collection of Plush Characters from Wrendale Designs is one you can't miss. Adults all over the Shrewsbury community have been buying them for themselves for several years now.