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.

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!

This is a cute little National Trust gift shop just on the outskirts of Grasmere. The staff were…read morelovely in helping us find our way and we warmed up by the fireplace when browsing the hikes on our new, helpful hiking map we purchased there. It made for a good stop! They also have a nice selection of National Trust gifts like beautiful woven wool blankets and nice trinkets similar to other National Trust gift shops.

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 unusual shop sells exotic and colourful clothing, items for the home and gifts. They also have…read morean attractive selection of cards that I haven't seen anywhere else. The clothes are what I'd describe as 'hippy style' with vivid, rich fabrics and wild colour schemes. Very bohemian and beautiful, if you like that kind of thing. They sell a range of Prana gear which is a bit more subdued in style and seems to be very nicely cut but it is rather expensive. The knitwear is marvellous - crazy colours and styles but it also looks substantial enough to actually keep you warm. Other highlights include fabulous rag rugs and bedspreads with ethnic prints, fun toys and useful things like baskets and funky shopping bags that fold away to nothing.

A good shop for different presents lower part of town near the brewery centre. if you want a good…read morecard this is the only place in Kendal!