Welcome
Since 1991, Return Journey Collection has been creating decorative fine bone china plates, mugs and other assorted gifts featuring memory-filled landmarks and local history of towns and villages in West London and South Bucks. The business was brought to life by Yvonne Oakes and assisted in design and illustration by her son, Michael Oakes.
Originally, our products were sold at local fairs, market stalls and through churches, community centres and other local retailers. This stopped in 2005, when Yvonne was retiring and Michael's attention was on his architectural work.
Come lockdown in 2020 and Yvonne having passed away shortly before, there was an opportunity to create an online presence for the passion project that such love and care had been put into. A few revisions and several years later, we continue to stock on this web store the very last of the products that remain from the original artwork.
While many designs are now dated and may depict settings that are now much changed (aside from the fact that many are entirely sold out and almost all are near to it), we intend that eventually these designs will be found on new, sustainably produced items, so keep an eye out for us and stay in the loop!
FAQs
Is this the same Return Journey Collection that had a stall at the Pavilions craft market in Uxbridge?
Yes! Yvonne had a regular stall in the craft market during the 1990s.
Is there a shop where I can see the products in person?
Unfortunately there is no physical shop, however we are more than happy to arrange viewings at our Uxbridge or Chertsey addresses. Give us a call or send us an email if you are interested.
Can I collect products in person?
Yes, collection in person from our Uxbridge or Chertsey addresses is an option with prior arrangement.
Can I order products that are out of stock?
Unfortunately due to the production process and minimum order quantities it is unlikely that out-of-stock Fine Bone China products will become available again in their original form. We are however looking into reimagining the products with new media, so artwork that has sold out may still become available in some form in the future.