When Karen Brazier and Amber Harrison decided to launch Folde, a bookshop dedicated to UK nature, they knew they were building a “life raft”, an escape from their working lives that had left them both burnt out. What they didn’t realise was just how many others would climb aboard.
“Selfishly, we started Folde for us, but now it has become a safe space for so many other people,” says Karen.
Perched in the hilltop Dorset town of Shaftesbury, Folde is one of more than 1,000 independent bookshops across the UK that do far more than sell books, acting as lively hubs for their local communities. In Galloway, The Open Book is a volunteer-run shop where guests can live above and run it themselves; The Book Hive in Norwich has quiet booths where visitors can write in peace (Margaret Atwood finished *The Heart Goes Last* there); while in the Devon market town of Crediton, The Bookery is community-owned, run with the help of volunteers, and hosts everything from author talks to children’s story sessions.
For Karen and Amber, both in their fifties, Folde marks a second chapter in their lives. After years of exhausting commutes (Karen working in marketing and communications, and Amber travelling extensively in her job in aviation technology), they were searching for purpose and balance.
“We thought there had to be more to living and working than always being away from the place where you wanted to be,” says Amber.
Their friendship was forged in their local pub, where conversations often turned to how they might change their lives.
“We asked ourselves, ‘If we could choose a different life, what would it look like?’” Amber recalls. “For both of us, it meant being part of a community and reconnecting with nature, something that would be good for us but also bring something to the place where we live. We were clear it had to be values-led. We need the shop to pay its bills, but we’re not doing this to get rich.”
The idea for Folde was born. It began as an online business during lockdown before moving in 2021 into a shop at the top of Gold Hill, the cobbled street made famous by the 1973 Hovis TV advert directed by Ridley Scott. Exhausting train journeys were replaced by a six-minute commute overlooking the Blackmore Vale.
The name reflects their connection to the land. In Old English, folde means earth or ground.
“There’s the sense of a fold as community, of coming into the fold,” says Karen.
It has proved quietly prophetic. The shop has become a nature-focused hub that many locals didn’t realise they needed. Customers come not just for books but for artwork by local makers; some drop in daily for a chat, others simply sit and take a moment.
“We started Folde just for us, but now it has become a safe place for so many people.”
Earlier this year, that distinctive vision was recognised when Folde was named Regional and Country Winner for South-West England in the Independent Bookshop of the Year category at The British Book Awards.
“We have older customers who pop by every day, people who come in to catch their breath and others looking to connect with nature and like-minded people,” says Karen. “Anyone can sit here with no expectation to buy. It’s a privilege: people tell you the most personal things because they feel safe.”
A bi-monthly book club and a regular programme of talks are central to that sense of belonging. Past speakers have included artist Angela Harding and natural navigator Tristan Gooley. There are plans to expand their popular nocturnal walks into daytime hikes, encouraging those who feel nervous about walking outdoors to give it a try, as well as workshops to support local creatives. They also help organise local events such as Reading the Land festival.
“We love big gatherings because of the energy, the ideas, the conversations, the hope,” says Karen. “Hearing different perspectives on nature and the climate crisis gives you a sense that something can be done.”
That openness extends to their social media. On Instagram, they present themselves as they are, unfiltered and full of humour.
“We decided early on just to be ourselves,” says Amber.
The result is a loyal following that stretches far beyond Dorset.
“People travel an hour for our book club,” says Karen. “Others plan holidays around visiting us. We even have someone coming from Nova Scotia.”
One of their proudest achievements has been becoming one of the first bricks-and-mortar bookshop in Europe to gain B Corp certification, recognising high standards of social and environmental responsibility. Around 80 per cent of their suppliers are within 50 miles and they avoid non-book products that are mass-produced overseas.
“It was a rigorous process, so it meant a lot to achieve,” says Amber. “But it reflects what we stand for.”
Would they describe themselves as activists?
“We say we’re small and mighty but slightly fighty,” Amber laughs. “We’re not averse to a placard, but we believe in conversation. We’re about kindness, and a bit of daftness, but when we talk about serious things, it has impact.”
Folde has become everything they hoped for, and much more, a joyful, laughter-filled place that has also become deeply embedded in its community.
“We did wonder whether people would understand what we were trying to do,” says Karen. “But we’ve been able to create something meaningful. Customers helped decorate the new shop [they opened a second shop in the high street in late 2025], and they go out of their way to order books through us. We really feel the community has our back.”
Book your stay
Whether you're planning a literary escape or simply looking to explore one of Dorset's prettiest towns, Shaftesbury warrants a proper stay. Check into one of these charming places and take time to discover Folde, linger over long lunches and explore the surrounding countryside.
1. La Fleur de Lys
Book your stay
A beautifully restored Georgian townhouse just a couple of minutes from Folde and Gold Hill. Think original fireplaces, antiques, elegant bedrooms and an excellent restaurant.
Button Cottage
One of Shaftesbury’s prettiest cottages, this 450-year-old stone home on Gold Hill has a wood burner, perfect for hunkering down after stocking up on books as well as sweeping Blackmore Vale views
Barbers Cottage
Barbers Cottage is a charming historic stay in Shaftesbury, full of character and ideal for a classic Dorset escape. Set in the heart of town, it offers the appeal of a traditional period cottage with easy access to local shops, cafés and the town’s famous streetscape.
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The Coach House
A stylish coach house tucked just below Gold Hill. Contemporary interiors mixed with traditional Dorset character and an easy walk into town.
