about

FAMILY BUSINESS

ESTABLISHED

1973

The Shepherds Purse is an ethical, salt of the earth family business with a respect and fascination for the natural world and all things botanical. With a commitment to minimal impact business practices, this cosy haven continually works to leave no trace.

A young woman and an older man dressed in vintage clothing stand outside a shop or café with large windows. The woman is smiling, while the man has a neutral expression, holding a cane or walking stick. The background shows reflections in the windows
Inside a rustic store with baskets, bags, and wooden shelves displaying kitchen and gardening items.
Front of a store called Shepherd's Deli with window display of clothes, and shelves with jars, with flowers and windows above.
A group of people, including two women, three children, a man, and a woman holding a baby, outside a shop named Shepherds Purse, with one woman holding a watering can and a woman holding a broom.
Clothing boutique with dresses and scarves on display, and miscellaneous garments hanging on the walls.
A woman and a man dressed in old-fashioned clothing standing in a doorway outside of a building with large windows. The woman is wearing a long dress, and the man is wearing a shirt, apron, and turban. 
Our Story

Once upon a time… Pete and Rosie Budd trekked across the land to reach India. On their journey through Afghanistan they fell in love with the white doves at the blue mosque of Hazrat Ali Mazar.

When they returned to England, they opened a little shop on Church St, Whitby, which back then was a run down part of town. What they created was infused with a sense of something wholesome, natural and a touch magical. As they expanded, and Church St started to blossom, they were able to bring white doves to the Old Town, when they installed a dove loft in the hidden garden at the back of their restaurant. 

An Aladdin’s Cave of textiles and treasured objects collected from their travels across the Far East - woven baskets of whole foods, exotic spices and jars of delicious teas; The Shepherd’s Purse became a MUCH-LOVED piece of Whitby’s enchanting heritage.
Nowadays, their children Michelle, Sophie and Kim have kept that magic alive. They have created a tranquil, bewitiching and beautiful Secret Garden which hosts their dreamlike Guesthouse and creative Ceremony Space. It is a haven of peace away from the busy streets and yet central to everything. The trickling fountain, garden cabins and foliage, all add something a little bit mystical that awaits guests.

-The Whitby Storyteller  

A bouquet of artificial or real flowers, including roses and anemones, seen through a foggy or reflective surface with a blurred background that appears to include a banner with partially visible text.
Painted storefront of Shepherd's Purse, a boutique with display window featuring clothing mannequins and chandelier, and shelves with jars and boxes, with signage indicating bed and breakfast services.
An outdoor patio decorated for a gathering with a long white table, pink glasses, bottles, plates, and floral centerpieces. Potted plants and small decorative statues decorate the area, with a brick wall and string lights overhead. A sign reads 'Shep
A hanging sign for Shepherds Purse featuring an illustration of a shepherd boy playing a trumpet and a sheep, mounted on the wall outside a building.

Creative Foundations & Professional Practice

Having studied Fashion Design at University, Michelle later trained as a Clinical Aromatherapist and completed aromatherapy teacher training, alongside an extensive range of holistic therapies. This blend of creative vision and clinical understanding allows her to offer treatments and teachings that are both intuitive and professionally grounded.

Michelle’s story

A Love of Ritual & Moonlight

Michelle is deeply inspired by moonstones, moonlit moments, and the quiet power of meditation. Her work is rooted in ritual, reflection, and a reverence for natural cycles, creating experiences that feel both grounding and quietly magical.

Nature-Led Wellbeing & Global Inspiration

Michelle is also a Forest Bathing Practitioner, weaving nature connection into her approach to wellbeing. Inspired by her travels through India, Egypt, greece and Bali, her work reflects a deep love of natural skincare, mindful self-care, and ethical wellness rituals rooted in both earth-based wisdom and lived experience.

Sophie’s story

Travel-Inspired Botanicals & Design

Travels to Marrakesh, Egypt, Turkey and Mykonos have strongly influenced Sophie’s love of botanicals and Middle Eastern cuisine. These inspirations are reflected in her thoughtful styling of the courtyard garden and guest bedrooms, where natural textures, plant life, and sun-warmed details create a sense of calm, beauty, and escape.

A Love of Sunshine & Sensory Living

Sophie is inspired by sapphires, golden sunlight, and the warmth of spices. Her approach celebrates the sensory pleasures of life, blending colour, flavour, and atmosphere to create spaces that feel vibrant, welcoming, and deeply nourishing.

Scientific Roots & Culinary Experience

With a BSc in Human Biology, Sophie is also a Healing Diets student, bringing a grounded understanding of the body, nutrition, and botanical wisdom to her work. Having worked in the family restaurant as a young adult, she developed a deep appreciation for food as medicine and the role of mindful nourishment in wellbeing.