hampshire pewter co.

My husband and I love shopping at this place for their Christmas ornaments. There are so many to choose from and they can be personalized. They have other fine pewter things as well.

Hampshire Pewter has been in business in Wolfeboro for quite a long time. The quality of their giftware is excellent. Twenty years ago I began giving their Christmas ornaments to friends and still do. Their "Twelve Days of Christmas" ornaments are really lovely. They also offer smaller gift items and larger more expensive ones; there is probably something for every one on your list in this very nice little shop......zipper pulls for ski jackets, small pewter backed purse sized mirrors, small clocks, tableware, too much to list here. The only reason this did not rate 5 stars is that once in a while, there is a salesperson working there who is not friendly or helpful....almost rude, but not quite.

I tried to call in advance and check the tour times. After no answer several times I left a message. They never called back, so we decided to try our luck. The location listed in our old "Watch it Made in the USA" book is closed, and there is a new address on the sign out front. We were unable to find that address, so we asked at the gift shop right downtown. They said they were no longer doing tours due to a lack of personnel. I can understand the need to stop doing the tour. However, I think they could have called back. I also think they should try and remove instances of the tour, such as this one, from the internet. A clear mention on their webpage would have been nice also.

Our first visit to the factory was in 2005. It was neat seeing the process of pouring the molten pewter in the molds. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Hampshire Pewter and why they still do things "the old fashioned way". We have been back to the retail shop many times since and even taken the tour again to watch it being made.Great tour! Not too long. Kids enjoyed seeing the process as well.