It's worth popping in here if your in town…read more The cafe is great and sells a variety of home-made produce including warming soups and tasty sandwiches, and the cakes are totally irresistable. I while your sipping your brew why not have a look around at the gifts, homewares and furniture on display for sale. There's somethig for everyone here. Prices are average and staff are friendly and helpful.

Laxey Woolley Mills is a charming gem of old world artisan and craftsmanship, and a must for anyone…read morevisiting Isle of Man. The owner still weaves everything traditionally on a loom. Laxey Wollen Mills is also the only place in which someone can purchase authentic Manx Wool clothing and home goods whether in Manx Tartan or other classic patterns. They also sell sheep skin rugs and shearling outerwear. I have many wool rugs (blankets, if you're American) and a shearling hat from Laxey Woollen Mills that I absolutely love. I had a few blankets shipped back to the US and nothing is more warm and cozy then having a woollie from the Isle of Man to hide under on a cold winter night. When you visit the Woollen Mills be sure to visit the art gallery on the second floor to see local artists exhibiting works of art inspired by the island. To make an afternoon of your visit, finish up at the Tea Room and enjoy fresh, homemade and locally sourced sandwiches, soups, and tasty treats (located on the second floor).

Laxey Woollen Mills is the only remaining mill on the Isle of Man. I always stop in to purchase…read moregifts for friends. Beautiful pure wool scarves start at approximately £15 and up. Throws, sweaters (aka jumpers), caps, kilts and more! It is not inexpensive but these are handcrafted items which will last a lifetime. This is the real deal, not mass produced. Many items are available in the blue 'Isle of Man' Tartan. A nice tearoom is located on the 2nd floor (no lift). There are a couple of other shops in the building, a gift shop upstairs and women's clothing downstairs. The people who run the Woollen shop are friendly (say hello to Rick the dog!). There are also very cool bronze (?) sculptures around the carpark, worth a look! Make sure you visit the nearby Laxey Wheel while up that way.

Strange Fruit is a small, jewellry/gift shop tucked away in the market area of the town. The window…read moredisplay is imaginatively designed and begs you to enter. The interior of the shop is like a treasure trove of special bits n pieces. The danish designed Pilgrim jewellry is a mainstay of the shop, which is a big draw. The shop sells unusual little gifts, that you wouldn't perhaps buy for yourself but would be nice to receive as a gift. The items are lovingly wrapped in tissue you paper. Definitely worth a look for a special gift

A lovely little surprise of a place in the heart of Ambleside. It makes a welcome change from shop…read moreafter shop of walking gear, Beatrix Potter souvenirs and other tourist shops. There are 2 floors full to the gunnels of all kinds of products from great British designers as well as some other cool Europeans ones too. All modern, funky little unique designs from the Sedburgh Soap company Bud Duck, the Big Tomato Company, Suck Uk who produce the most adorable Salt and Pepper Bots and quirky stationary products from Takkoda, to name just a few. Some of my favourite finds in the store were the cookie stamps, adorable magnets in the shape of sparrows and Babbushkups, a trio of Russian Doll inspired glasses.

I love this store... mostly because they have such an assortment of items that I can find something…read morefor everyone I am shopping for... and myself of course. I particularly love the journals/books. Last time I purchased a Listography journal, this time I purchased a journal that gives you hundreds of topics to write about. Not just any kind of topic, but things like: Write a love letter to a person you dislike, What would you buy from the SkyMall catalogue and why?, or write a ransom note. More stuff to keep me from actually being productive! I also purchased a humorous Mother's Day card (my mom is American, but I feel the need to send her a card on British Mothering Day as well... lucky she is, two Mother's Days in one year) and a coffee mug for myself that says 'BLIMEY' and on the back it explains that it is an exclamation of surprise. Better than any tacky tourist souvenir shop. Of course there were a lot of things that I did not purchase, otherwise I would not have been able to have a very luxurious lunch... and dinner, but it is hard to narrow it all down. For example, the 'Poo Log' and the 'What My Poo Tells Me" books would be fantastic purchases for people like my brother, but completely unnecessary. If you are looking for others, souvenirs, or just something for yourself... bypass everything else and stop here!

A brilliant little shop tucked awway in the Devonshire Arcade right at the bottom. Although it is…read morequite small it has a huge range of gifts and candles. It also stocks a variety of more ethinic jewellery and clothes. I love to visit here just before Christmas as it is perfect for grabbing a few canndles as presents. I also love to browse their selection of candle holders and you can often find something a little bit different that looks gorgeous. They also sell incencse sticks and room fragrances in scents such as the smell of baby powder which is actually quite nice. Their novelty range is fab and they had the little bath ducks that lit up and flashed before anywhere else around here and they made fantastic unusual gifts. Although it is a little bit expensive the quality is very good.

Find unusual presents here! It looks from the outside like it is all tie-dyed and beaded (and there…read moreis some good stuff in that vein if you're buying for a nut-eating hippy (that's not my term!)) but if you go inside to poke round there's also lots of posh toilettries like neals yard and other niche brands so you can get something much more exciting and cute and stylishly packaged than from e.g. Boots.

This is a shop not to be missed if you are looking for an unusual gift or minding, a handmade item,…read moreoriginal art work or locally crafted goods. Last time I visited, there was also a selection of locally produced honey, chutney and other preserves. From incense to hand carved furniture, oriental glassware to a traditional Scottish quaich, this tardis-like gift shop has something to suit most tastes and budgets. It's a light and airy shop that invites you to venture further into the treasure trove to discover some really unusual ornaments and woodcraft. The assortment of aromas of pot pourri, handmade soaps and scented candles is verging on delicious! There's quite a selection of greetings cards, jewellery, wrapping paper, presentation boxes, novelty goods and gift bags. I particularly liked the haggis whistles! It's a locally owned business with a proprietor who obviously takes great pride in his work. The store's website, although basic, does mean you can telephone or enquire about items online, order gifts & vouchers and arrange home deliveries, which is a huge advantage to many. Certainly not a shop to be passed by if you are visiting the Wigtown area of Newton Stewart.