FAQs

Your Cart

Close
Paper Plane Your order qualifies for free standard delivery
Subtotal £0.00
Delivery £0.00
Order Total £0
Checkout Securely

Madeira; Things to Do & See

15th April 2019

If you’re anything like us, you hear Madeira, you think cake. However, each year for the last few, we’ve boarded the plane to Madeira to explore the island and spend some time in the sun. There’s a few places we wanted to blog about and tell you more about – a must visit island, it’s such a stunning place to spend a holiday with so much to it!

Madeira is famous for it’s flowers – not only within the markets but all over the island. We visited in Spring, so the island was in bloom! The parks are overflowing with beautiful and exotic plants and it looks like every bush along the streets have flowers within them. When we’ve been in January, it’s still a very green island but there’s no where near the amount of flowers in every shade and hue!

You also must visit the “Mercado dos Lavradores” (Farmer´s Market.) This is where these photos are taken – within the market you will find not only exotic fruit and veg but also spices and herbs, downstairs you will be able to find the fish market by following the smell(!) and on a weekend the whole place is filled with the sound of vendors selling their items. We spent ages wandering round looking at what everything was – many thing were new for us and some were fun to see what they looked like in the market – who knew there was so many different spices!

Outside the market were women in the traditional dress and they also were working on the flower stalls. The flowers here seem very reasonable when you consider the price of a bunch in M&S! They’re exotic and fun to look at – our favourites were the birds of paradise. You’ll see them growing round the island too, we love the pop of colour and the ‘beak’ they’re famous for. The Strelitzia variety of the birds of paradise only grow in Madeira and South Africa so we’re lucky to see them.

Outside the market, take a left and walk down the streets of the older parts of town, and visit the painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria. These ladies plus the ones with mermaids on were our favourites, though it’s fun to see them all – some had paintings of people on so we wondered if they represented the people that lived in the homes.

To make the area revitalised, the council commissioned an art project in the area so local artists could turn the previously quite average doorways into works of art. 200 doors have received attention from the artists which includes homes, restaurants, art galleries and businesses in the ‘Zona Velha’ (old town.) Using the door as the canvas is rather striking as it invites the passers by in a little more – asking the question of why is that mermaid swimming on that door and the next doorway features African styled drawings. It’s well worth a visit and achieves the aim of inviting passers by to slow down and look at the doors – making art of something very ordinary.

We took our William Morris Brother Rabbit tote bag with us on holiday. With long straps and a zip top – with a zip top pocket inside, it’s our top pick for a holiday bag. The zip adds security and the size allows you to pop everything you need to carry within; jumpers for the evening, suncream for the daytime and plenty of space for any shopping you may do!

Brother Rabbit is such an eye-catching design; it’s also sometimes referred to as ‘Brer Rabbit.’ It was inspired by the Uncle Remus Stories by J.C.Harris which Morris read to his two daughters Jenny and May. The birds within the design were drawn by his close friend and colleague, Philip Webb.

We also saw this graceful swan in the park; though there are taxis available everywhere – at a reasonable rate too, if you can, we’d recommend walking much of the island. Take your time to walk down through the park, you’ll see so much of their flowers but also these swans. You’ll also have a great vista point of the cruise ships coming into the port – we loved sitting and watching them approach and the different ones from all round the world – though watch out, little lizards are everywhere and aren’t shy when coming to say hello!

We also took a walk to Câmara de Lobos which is 7km from Funchal. During January 1950, Sir Winston Churchill spent 12 days on holidays in Madeira and has left a huge imprint in the areas tourism. Reid’s Palace Hotel sent the invitation Summer 1949 when it reopened following the Second World War. Winston arrived 1st January 1950 aboard the Durban Castle Ship along with his wife, eldest daughter and two secretaries, concierge, body guard and his councillor in writing his memories – Colonel Frederick Deakin.
He went to the area on the 8th January, arriving in a Rolls Royce and set up an easel and canvas to paint the bay and the islet. Today, this is known as Winston Churchill Viewpoint and is visited by many to see what he saw. We took the scenic coastal route and walked past beautiful volcanic beaches and a waterfall or two which we assume were formed by water running off the higher points of the island. The banana plantations were so fun to walk past – bananas are grown at the latitude Madeira sits on, so there’s lots being grown round the island – we got to try them at the hotel and they’re very delicious! They somehow taste better knowing they’re grown so locally!

 

You also should head up to the top of the island on the cable cars. Not only are there stunning gardens up here but also, where the traditional Madeiran sledges are – careering down the streets, two men push two visitors down the steep streets in sledges. We didn’t try it ourselves but there’s always a next time! You can go up and back down in the cable cars and it gives a panoramic view of the island that’s like no other.

In our hotel (Enotel Lido) we got to see traditional Madeira dancing too – if your hotel doesn’t offer it, there’s lots of nightlife and you’ll be able to find somewhere that offers it. We’d really recommend it!

There’s so much to see and do in Madeira, have you been? What’s your favourite thing to do?

Related Articles

Post Title

William Morris Quotes

Hello! Welcome back to our blog - this week, we're chatting about our favourite William Morris quotes. He was actually best known during his lifetime...

Post Title

Walter Crane (1845-1915)

Walter Crane (1845-1915) moved in the same circles as William Morris and was an important figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement.  Crane first met ...

Post Title

When William Met Edward!

In January 1853 William Morris went to Exeter Collage, Oxford to study Theology. It was here aged 19 he met his life long friend Edward...

Did you know we offer a gift wrap service? 🎁 If you’ve got a loved one you’d like to send a floral gift to this year, you can send it straight to their door all wrapped with a note written by the Laura’s Beau elves 🎄🤶🏻 It’s an option on our website only and you can check the gift wrap box at checkout to write your gift tag that we will hand write for you (we also won’t include a reciept or anything of course, but will email it to you instead ✨) Are you giving any William Morris floral goodies to your friends and family this year? 🤍
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #morrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #strawberrythief #christmasgiftguide #christmasgifts #floralgift #myfloralhome #myfloraltable #floraltablescape #christmastablesetting
Anyone else started on the mince pies this weekend? 🥧 We’ve been feeling rather festive the last week or so, are you all in the festive spirit yet or waiting until December? 🎄 
📸 features our William Morris Brother Rabbit blue design 🤍
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisdesigns #morrisdesign #brotherrabbit #floraldesign #christmastablesetting #christmastablescape #floraltablescape
To brighten up the kitchen with florals, we love hanging our William Morris tea towels on hooks, over the oven door or kitchen sink 🌿 An easy way to add a pop of colour or design ✨ They’re a great Christmas gift this year and come in a whole range of Morris designs to suit everyone’s kitchens 🎁 
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisfabrics #floraldesigns #teatowel #christmasgiftideas #christmasgiftguide #floralgiftideas #willowbough #willowboughgreen
Use Code: BF15 for 15% at checkout until Monday 27th at midnight 🌛 Happy Shopping ✨ (valid on our website only; www.laurasbeau.co.uk 🌿
•
•
•
#laurasbeau #williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #fabrics #morris #preraphaelite #floralinteriors #preraphaelite #upholsteryfabric #curtainfabric #blackfriday2023
🎄 A Christmas table set up using our Red Strawberry Thief licensed William Morris design ✨ We love how perfect it is dressed up for Christmas but can be used all year round accessorised for all the seasons 🌿
•
•
•
#christmas #christmastable #christmastablecloth #williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #williammorrisdesign #strawberrythief #preraphaelite
Our virtual craft market is now live! ✨ Only on our Etsy page, you can now shop a limited range different sizes of our licensed William Morris fabrics as offcuts and also, some craft bundles🧵And there is also a pretty fabulous Black Friday deal on everything on our Etsy at the moment! 🌿We're always working to be more sustainable (you can read more about what we do on our blog) and offcuts is a great way for us to reduce waste - some are larger pieces that are various widths and lengths and some are bundles of fabric offcuts. ✨ Accurate measurements are in the listing, and you'll find the full market under a tab on our Etsy. The bundles are brilliant gifts for crafters, quilters and those who you know would like to try a whole range of William Morris fabrics 🎁
We'll keep this tab updated as and when we have fabric ready so keep checking back! Remember, we do sell all our fabric by the half metre if you find a new fave in a bundle 🤍
-
-
-
#etsy #fabriccrafts #sewers #quilters #fabricbundle #craftmarket #williammorris #williammorrisfabric #fabrics #floralfabric #fabricstack #fabricstash
Used for a very special engagement tablescape this past weekend was our timelessly beautiful Charlotte Rose! 🥂💍✨ It’s actually a design from our French archive, we absolutely love it ☺️ If you’re starting your Christmas shopping it’s a wonderful gift idea for them to love using all year round on their table 🥂
•
•
•
#tablescape #tabledecor #engagement #frenchfloral #frenchflorals #floraltable #florals #floraldesign
A wonderful addition to the table, our placemats, available in a range of licensed William Morris designs, set the scene for a whole range of celebrations sat around the table 🥂
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabrics #fabric #fabrics #williammorrisfabric #willowbough #tablescape #myfloraltable #floraltable #preraphaelite #williammorrisdesigns
These green tones together are so lovely 🌿 Can you name all of these licensed William Morris designs? Which is your favourite? ✨ If you’d like a sample of any just let us know ☺️
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #preraphaelite #preraphaelites #fabricstash #fabricstack #ukfabric #ukfabricshop #floralfabrics
Functional + stylish, a tea towel thrown over the cooker or sink really does brighten up the kitchen - bringing some florals inside the home! ✨ This is our licensed William Morris Sweet Briar design, we absolutely love this delicate design with soft pink flowers 🌷
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #sweetbriar #teatowelsofinstagram #teatowel #floralfabric #floralfabrics #florals #myfloralhome #preraphaelite #morris #morrisfabric #onlinefabric #fabricdestashuk
A fabric stack full of William Morris licensed designs, which is your favourite? ✨
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisfabric #fabricdestashuk #fabricshop #fabricseller #fabricstack #strawberrythief
Sitting at the table to admire our latest floral arrangement creation with a cuppa! ☕️ Don’t these colours look absolutely wonderful with our beautiful licensed William Morris design Compton 🧡
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #fabrics #fabricdestashuk #floralfabric #floralfabrics #compton #preraphaelite #tablescape #flowerarrangement #floraltable #flowerarranging #myfloraldays
Back in stock- wonderful Golden Lily pvc fabric 🤩 Its a wipe clean material, so is absolutely perfect for the dining table 🍴 Available by the half metre in length, its 140cm wide, so fits most tables, an easy option whilst not compromising on beautiful William Morris florals! 💐
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #morris #morrisfloral #floraltable #pvcfabric #oilclothfabric #floralfabric #florals #tablescape #tablescapeflorals #preraphaelite #fabrics #onlinefabric
Can’t forget your Strawberry Thief tote if you’re off to the shops! 🛍️
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisdesigns #strawberrythief #france #totebag #totebags #floraltote
Sunday evenings in the Autumn months call out for a cosy fire and treats 🍂 Mallow Wine always looks so beautiful this time of year, the placemats are so handy for protecting surfaces from hot dishes and mugs, plus are so lovely on the tablescapes! 🤍
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisdesigns #design #floraldesign #floralfabrics #mallow #preraphaelite #morrisfabric #octoberevening
October calls for pumpkin decorations 🎃 Brother Rabbit looking completely beautiful on the table as always 🌿 It never needs a complex tablescape as the design speaks for itself! 🤍
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #williammorrisdesign #design #brotherrabbit #octobertablescape #autumntablescape #floraltable #tablecloth
Florals in the sunshine ☀️✨ Can you name all of our licensed William Morris prints? 🌿
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisdesign #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #williammorrisprint #floralfabric #floralfabrics #onlinefloralfabric #upholsteryfabric #curtainfabric #curtainfabrics #fabricstash #strawberrythief
Off to the beach! 🏝️☀️ Got to have a tote with us that can fit all the snacks, books and suncream! 🦀 Golden Lily in the sun is so beautiful 🐠🐬
•
•
•
#williammorris #williammorrisfabric #williammorrisfabrics #williammorristote #totebag #goldenlily #beachtote #floraltote #floraltotebag #floral