sixtyseven is a sweet little store who's remote location doesn't help with its somewhat random…read morestock. I can imagine my Mum will grow to love places like this, where you can pop to before or after visiting a tea room, and admire the handsomely put together and displayed gifts. Its one of those places that feels like its selling nothing, where everything in here is expensive versions of normal objects (like the coaster) but with a ribbon on it. While everything looks perfectly lovely, I'm just not one to buy a gift that serves no purpose other than to get put away from fear of being damaged... There are some interesting bits and pieces that may bolster a stocking, and some exquisite cards for those who love to show off or impress through stationary. But its all a bit expensive for what it is...

This is one of those shops that looks lovely from the outside, and is very nice as you walk in,…read morebutI couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy. For a start, their stock is actually fairly limited: a small range of fairly similar greetings cards, a range of art deco postcards, a small range of scented candles, a small range of very upmarket stationery, a small range of posh bath gels - you get the picture. I'm not quite sure who buys writing pads with soft, shiny gold covers? The nearest thing to a theme is that there is a selection of small, attractive, old-fashioned children's toys, with a number of the cards etc also aimed at children. (I was actually looking for a card for my teenage nephew, and there was nothing remotely suitable). It's all very tastefully done, with a feminine edge, and I was greeted very nicely as I entered. I guess it would be perfect for finding a present for that hard-to-please female friend that already has everything she needs.

If you've visited the mammoth Toys R Us in Times Square, you'll have seen amazing sculptures of…read moreKing Kong and Times Square made out of Lego. There's nothing quite as impressive in Lego's Brighton store but there are glass cabinets dotted around the store with much smaller and detailed sculptures of classic hotels, fairgrounds and landmark buildings. Parents that haven't got the time or inspiration to help their offspring build something jaw-dropping can buy these ready made for around £100-£250. Otherwise, you can buy buckets of individual bricks in different colours and kits to build everything from animals and Lego families to jungles, buildings and scenes. Imaginative and exciting stuff for nippers. And parents that are still young at heart!

There aren't a great many toys still going strong from my childhood, but Lego is definitely one of…read morethem. I spent many happy hours building houses, garages (for my brother's Dinky cars), trains, and my own version of the 'Thunderbird' craft, although they didn't really look anything like the real thing. Not that I cared. The big thing that has changed, though, is the change from just basic building sets to the huge range of specialised sets, with everything from space-ships to pirate ships, trains, cars, planes, and themes and franchises such as Indiana Jones, Atlantis, and Toy Story - to name just a few. I must confess to being old school here, preferring the range of basic brick boxes and buckets to let children's own imaginations run riot, but I can see the need to compete in today's market-place with more commercially inspired sets. The key thing is that you have the choice. Basic brick boxes start from £6.50 (280 pieces) to £12.99 to the 650-piece Deluxe version, both of which seem pretty good value to me compared with many others toys these days. The store is not that big, but there is more than enough choice, and the staff are knowledgeable and child-friendly. As the other reviewers imply, it pays to have a plan before you go in, lest you get tempted (or pestered!) to spend/buy rather more than you planned. It's worth noting that there's a good website if you want to look in the store and then buy on-line later.

I noticed something in Potters Children's shop that I hadn't seen in other toy and children's…read morestores. The boys and girls toy sections were very distinctly set up and very, very...conventional. What brought it to my attention was some magnet words labelled, "Girl Talk" - consisting of: perfume, bubbles, dancing...etc. Kinda gross. The girls section contained craft sets for knitting, making your own fairy journal, painting your own dream horse, and the boys side had work benches, motorcycles and drag racers. Positive features include the educational toys, like science themed activities, and the cheap area at the front for miscellaneous plastic items and bouncing putty. There was an impressive marble collection near the front and some wooden trains...so perhaps Potters is purposely set up as a toy store from the 1950s.

I found Potters to be the perfect mix of traditional toys with a charming retro twist.The reviewer…read morethat found the boys and girls sections 'gross' seems strange to me perhaps in Canada she likes toys mixed up and difficult to find. I found the toys I was looking for with help from some very good staff. Boys and girls were wandering around quite happily girls with cars and boys with aprons. You can over think this sort of thing you know. I just found a delightful store with great toys what more can you ask for.

Wigwam is a classic children's shop, it has such an old-school feel but with all new toys. It is a…read moresmall bright shop crammed full of toys aimed at kids from about 3 years to well into the ten and eleven period- until they really hit that jaded teenage thing! I've been here with my nieces and they love love love the Sylvanian Families stuff they have here- shelves of ridiculously cute woodland creatures with fictional human lives and all the stuff that goes with it. There are also some great educational toys and craft kits. The whole ethos of the place is to sell toys that stimulate the imagination and if possible teach the kids something. The prices start from an allowance friendly fifty pence to well into the £50 mark for some of the more elaborate sets of Lego and Sylvanian Families.

At weekends, the delightfully named Miss Sparkle hosts magic shows, puppet shows and face painting…read morein the back room of Now We Are Six. If I took my favourite four year old to one of them, I'm sure she's be delighted. If I took her shopping there mid-week however, I don't think she'd crack a smile. On the surface, Now We Are Six stock everything toddlers of one to six might want from dressing up clothes, soft toys and books to dolls houses, castles, musical instruments and wooden bikes. The problem is, neither the layout or atmosphere feels or looks very exciting. I understand the owners want the place to educate as well as entertain children but I think they need to sprinkle a bit more F.U.N. and M.A.G.I.C. in there. Maybe Miss Sparkle could work in the week too...

The window of this toy shop is so promising- stacked full of unusual wooden toys in bright colours,…read morecute soft toys and Babar goodies. I agree with Sarah-Jane though, the inside is very disappointing, it seems strangely aimed at adults rather than children. I would feel okay going in here myself to buy a toy for my nephew/niece but would't particularly plan to take them in. Somehow the vibe seems to be- play nice and don't mess up the toys! Not that the staff were unfriendly, quite the opposite. It just felt a little neat and plain...I'm not sure, there's definitely something missing. I appreciate the nod to A.A Milne in the shop name but I have to say that to me it suggests toys for kids older than six whereas the toys stocked seemed younger than that.

Owned by two curators, The Studio Shop is a cute neighbourhood store that supports and promotes…read morelocal artists and crafts folk. It's so small if you did a cart-wheel you'd probably knock something over. And yet, they manage to stock a lovely array of original ceramics, vases, jewellery, scarves, prints, stationary, plants, lampshades and a few small pieces of furniture. The stock changes frequently and the owners pride themselves on finding unique and distinctive designs you can't find anywhere else. Personally, I love the distressed picture frames and the ceramic milk cartons. The thing I can't get out of my mind though, is the mugs with ceramic toy animals and cars as handles.

There are a lot of lovely homewares shops in Brighton, many with a shabby chic, craft feel- which I…read morehappen to love- and The Studio Shop fits into that category. The Studio Shop stands out of the crowd though- mostly I think because of the lovely colours they introduce into their style through some amazing fabrics, stunning silk cushions with abstract patterns, fantastic painted reclaimed wooden frames. The two owners- who are really relaxed and full of good ideas- have a real sense for textures and have picked up some great wallpapers, cards, and art that play with textiles, texture and colour. The prices range from very inexpensive for small pieces to much more for the art. Love the green front as well.

This is a fascinatingly strange place, specialising in elaborate masks…read more The range includes some wonderful examples of mask-making: bright colours, elaborate decoration, full feathers. The prices aren't as extortionate as you might expect either, and while some masks are pricey, others are available for under £20. The only problem is - what the heck would one do with these things? I'd quite like to own one, but I very much doubt it would get much use. Perphaps as a wall decoration?

There's something a touch Eyes Wide Shut about Mariposa…read more An old fashioned antique shop in the Lanes, it's been selling unique and chintzy figurines, ornaments, presentation plates, glass fruit bowls and lamps for the last two decades. The thing that dominates the walls and windows however, are an eye-catching array of handmade, papier mache masks with decorative feathers, glitter, silk and paint effects. According to the owner, some people buy them just for display purposes whilst others snap them up for balls, special occasions and fancy dress parties. Personally, I can't look at them without thinking of Stanley Kubrick, Tom Cruise and amoral sex games with masked strangers.

Like entering Aladdin's Cave!! You don't know what to expect! Don't put on too much weight and keep…read moreyour head low as there is not a lot of room!! The same cannot be said of the shops..they seem to produce space from nowhere. All sorts of areas covered ie clothes, antiques, handcraftsand so much more. Prices are reasonable and free car parking for two hours across the roadIF, you remember to get your pass from one of the shop.

What a great treat! This hidden gem is like an aladdins cave. The market is made up of the bog…read morestandard garden sheds. These little sheds are then leased out to individuals to sell their arts & crafts. Also it is possible to get hot food or just a cream tea! This award winning venue is a must visit when in Steyning. It does seem though not all the small retailers are open all of the time. It is then best to check what days/time your favourite outlet is open.