Oxford
This charming shop sells games of every kind and age, from the latest board games – including bestsellers such as Ticket To Ride and Dreaming Spires, set…
Must-see shopping in The United Kingdom
Notting Hill & West London
With its light wood floor and engaging staff, Daunt Books is a major fixture in the London book-selling world. The flagship Daunt Books branch may be on…
The West End
This specialist stationary shop stocks just about every wooden-handled rubber stamp you care to imagine: from London icons like phone boxes and the Houses…
Derry (Londonderry)
A handful of craft shops sell Derry crystal, handwoven cloth, ceramics, jewellery and other local craft items in this renovated courtyard. One of the best…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Whether you're after retro maps, air plants in science-class-beaker terrariums, vintage special-occasion glassware or taxidermied birdlife, this warren of…
Exeter
This Aladdin's cave of retro threads has long been a magnet for Exeter's fashionistas. It proudly proclaims stock spanning 100 years (1880s to 1980s):…
Notting Hill & West London
Running since 1914, this fruit-and-veg market stretches underneath the Hammersmith & City and Circle Lines between Goldhawk Rd and Shepherd’s Bush Tube…
Notting Hill & West London
A glorious selection makes this funky Portobello Rd stop – its name a play on Bowie's synth-led classic from 1977 album Low – a paradise for hunters of…
Glasgow
With very friendly staff and a range of saucy items that you might not want your mother to see, this is a favourite with the gay community – it's in Pink…
Kensington & Hyde Park
Dating to 1873, Church's is a byword for elegant craftsmanship, manufacturing shoes that ooze quality and may even last you a lifetime (if pampered). The…
Notting Hill & West London
Offers a large range of original, fine and historic Ukiyo-e ('pictures of the floating world') woodblock Japanese prints. Prices range from under £100 to…
Belfast
This city-centre showroom sells a range of stylish, contemporary, handmade jewellery in silver, gold and platinum, from the Steensons workshop in Glenarm,…
The West End
Opened by Thomas Twining in 1706 and recently refurbished, the 'golden lion' tea shop is the oldest company in the capital still trading on the same site…
The West End
Prowler’s flagship Soho store is a gay shopping mecca selling books, magazines, clothes and ‘lifestyle accessories’ (with or without batteries). There’s…
York
Yorkshire cheeses, Whitby fish and local meat make good fodder for self-caterers at this anything-goes market behind the Shambles, which also touts arts,…
The West End
The chain’s megastore is the largest bookshop in Europe, with helpful, knowledgeable staff and regular author readings, signings and discussions. The…
Oxford
Booklovers beware! This enticing little Jericho shop can easily swallow an hour of your time. Specialising in remainders and discounted stocks, largely…
Wales
Take the taste of Wales home with you from this small, family-run deli in the middle of the town. There are some 40 cheeses, Welsh meats and cured…
Anglesey & the North Coast
Always buying boring, samey souvenirs for your loved ones? Then why not go for a Henry VIII–era replica helmet, a ramshead heavy siege crossbow, some…
The West End
For women’s lingerie designed to be worn and seen, and certainly not hidden, pull up to wonderful Agent Provocateur, started by Joseph Corré, son of…
The West End
The one-time Glasgow-based tailor shop has grown into a superb brand of clothing for both men and women. Ted’s forte is its formal wear, with beautiful…
South Cornwall
Cornwall's coolest clothing brand, St Agnes–based Finisterre has its own Falmouth outlet. Known for its cold-water surf gear, Finisterre's wool beanies…
The West End
This delightful Italian delicatessen in the heart of Soho, here since 1944, is so gorgeous in its cream and pastel green that you could almost imagine…
Southern Highlands & Islands
The hot smoked salmon from these folk behind Skipness Castle was one of the highlights of a long-standing seafood restaurant on Arran. That's closed, but…
Northeast England
Chocolates made on site at Gareth James include truffles filled with Pimms, Highland Peak whisky or Marmite, and caramels made with locally harvested sea…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Here's the place to pick up that T-rex skull centrepiece or avocado-print wrapping paper you never knew you needed. InSpitalfields is spellbinding, and…
Bath
Among the ranks of vinyl LPs and 45s here you'll find everything from hip hop and funk to 60s beat, Joni Mitchell and The Who. Prices range from £1 a disc…
Kensington & Hyde Park
Stepping through the door of this cute branch of the famous perfumery – dating to 1870 – is like walking into a floral spray of hyacinths, roses and…
Nottingham
In Nottingham's historic Lace Market quarter, Debbie Bryan revives its traditions, designing and making lace creations spanning jewellery to clothing and…
Kirkwall
This excellent produce shop in a noble old central building has fine Orkney meat, fish and cheeses and is perfect for finding posh picnic fare or an…
The West End
With modest beginnings as an Aldwych stall in 1742 and purveying a dizzying range of fine cheeses, this black- and gold-fronted shop holds two royal…
The Cotswolds
Stroud plays host to the greatest of all Cotswold farmers markets every Saturday. Dozens of stallholders converge on Cornhill Market Pl and the…
Leith
Anchored by Debenhams department store, Ocean Terminal is the biggest shopping centre in Edinburgh; fashion outlets include Fat Face, GAP, Schuh, Superdry…
Notting Hill & West London
Portobello Green Arcade is home to a community of cutting-edge clothing and jewellery designers as well as vintage vinyl merchants and small, independent…
The West End
Run by connoisseurs who are more than happy to help with selections, this classy wee shop sells whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, America and around the…
Kensington & Hyde Park
This spiffing poster shop is a necessary stop for collectors of vintage celluloid memorabilia, nostalgic browsers or film buffs. Prints are all original…
Bristol
This is probably the best stationery shop in Bristol. All stock – notebooks of many purposes and sizes, pencils of countless lead widths and colours, pens…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This basement fashion emporium is a sprawling sea of vintage threads from the 1920s to the 1990s, plus a few tucked-away stands of vinyl. Stalls are hired…
The West End
Fine purveyors of first editions and rare books, Peter Harrington is a delightful and extremely well-presented shop, devoid of clutter but stocking a…
Dumfries & Galloway
This has an excellent line in smoked salmon and other local produce; it's something of a local standout. There's a restaurant to try before you buy. It's…
