Sadly, in 2021 the Discworld Emporium closed its door to customers. You can still buy things from the online shop Despite the shop closing it’s doors it is still there and supporting some fabulous window displays.
I’ve been a fan of the late great Sir Terry Pratchett for more than twenty years now and I’ve read almost all his books. I always wanted to meet him but I didn’t get the opportunity and that will always be one of my regrets.
I tried to get my older kids interested but, although my eldest son read a couple of books and came to see one of his adaptations at the theatre he never really got as interested as me.
I started reading his younger readers books to my girls and Star has enjoyed them. She loved Maurice and His Amazing Rodents and the short stories. I’m hoping she will continue to read his books and eventually move onto the Young Adult books featuring Tiffany Aching. She already knows all about Tiffany from what I’ve told her.
One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is visit the Discworld Emporium in Wincanton. For those unfamiliar with Terry Pratchett, the Discworld is his fantasy world where most of his books are set and Wincanton is in Somerset very near to the place where Terry lived. Wincanton is actually twinned with a fictional town from the Discworld, Ankh Morpork, however, now having visited Wincanton I can’t imagine a place more different to Ankh Morpork.
Once inside it felt like home.
I could have stayed there all day. The kids loved it too. I thought they might have been bored but there was plenty to keep them amused, The Little Man was rather taken by a ‘rat onna stick with ketchup.’ Boo was interested in the jewellery but wanted me to buy her ‘Death’s Sword.’ Star was looking at the books and recognising things from the stories I’ve read to her.
There was so much stacked into this little shop I had trouble choosing things to fit in my budget. I could have blown it all in one but I chose some smaller items. I would have loved my own ‘luggage’ or a Granny Weatherwax necklace, even the Tiffany Aching necklace.
I absolutely loved the new covers on the Tiffany Aching series of books, they were beautiful. I already have the books but would happily buy them again for the new covers, they’d make a lovely collection for Star.
The counter of the shop is set out like a Consulate. You could, of course, have purchased your Ankh Morpork passport from there.
The window displays were particular inviting but I do wonder what someone who had never heard of Terry Pratchett would make of them.
We talked to the shopkeeper for a while who used to know Terry personally and regaled us with some tales of the great man.
I started by saying one of my greatest regrets was never meeting Sir Terry, I had the opportunity to go to conventions but never had anyone to go with and was too shy to go alone. Next year my hubby and kids are more than happy to join me on the next Discworld Convention and I’ve already registered for my tickets. If I can’t meet Terry at least I can mingle with some of his fans, and I’m so looking forward to the cosplay.
Are you a fan of Terry Pratchett, have you even heard of him? Do let me know in the comments.
In the meantime, “Mind how you go.”
Hi Anne, I read the very first Disc World books when they first came out, but I never could get into them. I remember I had read a book called Weaveworld or something like that and thought they would be similar. I also remember being attracted by the covers too.
As a fan, it must have been wonderful to get a chance to visit Discworld Emporium and even nicer for you that your family seemed to enjoy it too! I bet you really can't wait to go to the convention as a family.
xx
Ahh! What a wonderful trip. That shop looks and sounds amazing…
Obviously I've heard of Terry Pratchett but I am not a big fan….
I have just Googled him and I didn't realise he had so many books. Wow! x
Hi anne, Love your review of the very much loved Emporium. It made me wonder if you have signed up to Discworld Monthly (www.discworldmonthly.co.uk)” target=”_blank”> ” target=”_blank”>(www.discworldmonthly.co.uk) as it has all sorts of Discworld events listed in it's free newsletter. I suspect you were talking to Bernard Pearson at the emporium aka The cunning artificer himself. He is such a wonderful gent who many of us refer to as Uncle B.
I'm glad you like my review, I've been signed up to Discworld Monthly since 1999, it was the first site I found when I first accessed the internet 🙂
It was lovely to meet you, and the family. Thank you for your kind words and for making the trip to come see us.
I have to admit to having never read a Terry Pratchett book but I can totally see how this must have been the most wonderful experience for you…I'm so happy that you got to make your pilgrimage! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this x
This is the kind of thing my hubby would enjoy, He loves all the Disc world stuff X #coolmumclub