Pick up groceries and local produce - catch up on gossip – Robin Hill Stores is
so much more than a village post office and shop. It’s an advice bureau, a meeting
place and is very much part of the Marnhull community.
In the heart of the Blackmore Vale, Robin Hill Stores can be found in the Dorset
village of Marnhull. Stocking local cheeses, meats, cakes, breads, milk, fish, butter,
beer, wine and so much more, Robin Hill Stores is a fantastic example of why village
shops and Post Offices can offer so much more than milk and stamps.
Robin Hill Stores is run by Bob and Sue Young, and as well as the shop and post office,
they offer support to the Marnhull community in a number of ways, including window
display for local businesses, advertising space for community events, ticket sales
for community groups and of course their very successful community corner ‘swap shop’.
To date this has raised over £2500 which has been donated to local good causes.
Robin Hill Stores has been selected winner of the 2010 Countryside Alliance Awards
- Best Village Shop & Post Office, Wessex region. This award aims to celebrate the
characters, produce, traditions and enterprises that make the greatest contribution
to country life. Bob and Sue will now take Robin Hill Stores forward to compete for
the national title.
Marnhull is known as ‘Marlot’ in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbevilles. It lies
in the Blackmore Vale, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Nearby towns include
Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Blandford and Sherborne.