Cowbridge is renowned for its succession of quaint shops and boutiques which line its charming high…read morestreet. Sorrento is definitely one of the better ones, appealing to a discerning shopper who's looking for home furnishings beyond the standard IKEA ranges. Sorrento is one of those rare family-run businesses, established in the mid-1960s by David and Reta Thomas, which offer a bespoke curtain, carpet and flooring service in addition to an extensive stock of furnishings, including items like Royal Worcester and Spode china. The selection is kitchy, but not vomit-inducing - Sorrento is one of those stores where both man and woman can happily browse without feeling like they're suffocating in a Cath Kidston show room. It's definitely worth a stop if you're in the area and would like quality workmanship coupled with exceptional customer service.

This is a great family run business. Originated by David & Reta Thomas, when their daughter,…read moreGillian Harris, wasn't even born, almost a half a century ago. These days Gillian takes an active role within the business, thereby protecting the legacy. This is a lovely friendly shop with plenty of stock. Having been established so long everything runs like a well oiled machine. Curtains are made in the workrooms upstairs, and carpets and flooring are fitted by their own carpet fitters. This is good news! With no sub-contractors in the mix there is less likely to be a miscommunication, and if something does go wrong then you know who to talk to! There's no passing of the buck here... no running round in circles, never getting anywhere. The shop handles everything and they are your point of contact. Perfect!

Xantippe (try saying that when you've had a few) is a boutique furniture and gift shop that…read morespecializes in all things French. Style wise I'd say this is a place for the ladies as I'm not sure how many men would be keen on the delicate hand painted book cases and pink garden chairs. That aside, if the furniture isn't to your taste then there is a huge selection of gifts for the women in your life. Expect beautiful little china tea cups, candles and hand woven baskets, (perfect for storing bottles of vin!) It's a little on the twee/kitch side but that's exactly my style so you won't find me complaining. If you're not into it then that's a whole other kettle of poissons.

Devon, when I lived there about ten years ago, used to be awash with shops that sell the kind of…read morestuff that Xantippe specialise in... but their prices were never quite so steep! I guess there's been a fair few price hikes in the last ten years, but I'm still prone to a stiff intake of breath when I pick up a mug, albeit a very nice mug, and see that it costs somewhere around the £12 mark! i am also astonished by the cost of butter dishes! Did you know that you can pay as much as £40 for a butter dish...? yes, that's right, a butter dish! And that's on eBay. My quest, whilst not being of the Holy Grail epic proportions quite yet, has seen me visit practically every interior design, kitchenware, and charity shop in Cardiff and surrounding area over the last six months, and so desperate am I to find one soon that I have resorted to looking on-line. I peeled through in excess of twenty pages of dishes the other day, and didn't find one that I was suitably impressed by... well, I did actually, but I am unwilling to pay £40 for it! Sadly, Xantippe also didn't offer me a solution to my perpetual search either! But it did provide me with a half hours worth of extremely contented browsing. This is a lovely shop, that sells a lot of rusticana... delightful!

What an amazing place, how come i'm only just found it. Its a day trip to Cowbridge all by itself…read moreand affordable. Best furniture i've seen for a long time, and the customer is made to feel very special. You Must go there

Fantastic place to visit. It has new quirky craft items, toys, fresh eggs and plants as well as…read morefurniture and vintage crockery etc. It's also a lovely place to have a coffee, a bowl of soup or even a cream tea.

Why do people buy new furniture? Especially from IKEA? The only thing I build myself is a sandwich,…read morethank you very much. My thinking is that if a piece of furniture has lasted thirty or so years, it's obviously sturdy enough to last a few more. This will backfire immensely immediately I'm sure. Anyway praise be for the rise of charity shops specialising in selling on furniture. The Red Cross shop in Llantwit Major, actually finds itself as the only place to buy a sofa from in the town, what with the closing of Robin's Nest and Filco not expanding that way (so far). Peach velour sofas, dark wood cabinets, oddly shaped CD stands, various pieces of electronics that were clearly bought in haste and a cross-stitch picture of a mallard that I'm seriously regretting not buying can all be found within the four walls of the Red Cross Furniture & Electronics Shop. They even do free local delivery.

Incredibly well hidden away, a real little treasure. Outside they sell very traditional garden…read morefurniture, such as bird baths, picnic tables, and a rather unusual garden shed. Inside the Potting shed sells many little household items and gifts which are pretty, practical, or a combination of both. I personally fell in love with the vintage ladybird learn to sew kits and little boys will love all the Beano goodies. I can't further express how easy it is to miss this place, If it hadn't been recommended it would have been so easy to miss. REALLY worth checking out, whether you live (it's worth the journey).

Went here a two weeks ago as a treat for my daughter who had been very unwell , we really enjoyed…read morelooking around the lovely things for sale but decided to go for a coffee and was very surprised at how unfriendly the staff were there wasn't one smile amongst them all despite me smiling at them i found them to be rude and unwelcoming and won't be going there ever again very disappointing indeed.