20 of our favourite independent craft and design shops across the UK

We are huge supporters of independent craft and design shops selling beautiful, handmade, functional design products, gorgeous homewares and special gifts for our loved ones. We love a proper bricks and mortar shop. We don’t want to see our town centres become uniform. We don’t want to see the same retailers wherever we go. And we certainly don’t want to see our high streets disappear as a place for community and gathering!

There is something wonderful about going into a shop, seeing, picking up, and feeling a unique item. The connection with the product, the chats with the shop staff, and then going home with the purchase in your bag. It’s so satisfying.

We have chosen 20 (there are plenty more!) of our favourite independent bricks and mortar lifestyle, craft and design shops from the South of the UK to the North.

We know there are many, many more that we don’t know about so please add your favourites in the comments box. Let’s spread the word and keep shopping personal!

Follow Mary Portas who is a massive campaigner for keeping the High Street alive and also Indie Retail who support and promote independent shops across the UK.

ATELIER BESIDE THE SEA, BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX

A beautiful retail space right on the seafront in Brighton, created by Jon and Sarah from Tutton & Young, organisers of the infamous MADE design and craft fairs. @atelierbrighton

ALWAYS SUNDAY, BATH, Somerset

What started out as a supper club led to the opening of a bricks-and-mortar store offering vintage furniture and unique homewares and gifts made by local artists. @always_sunday_store

Berylune, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Cards, gifts, homewares, stationery, children’s goodies, and accessories – an ever-changing range of unique products. @beryluneuk

Brass Monkeys, Hove, East Sussex

Really lovely small jewellery shop and workshop stocking the work of over 40 established and emerging designer-makers. Something for everyone, a haven for jewellery addicts. @brassmonkeysjewellery

Choosing Keeping, Central London

A fabulous store in Convent Garden selling all things stationery. Paper, books, pencil cases, pens, gift wrap, cards, notebooks and a whole lot more. @choosingkeeping

Curiouser & Curiouser, Edinburgh, Scotland

Two beautiful shops in Edinburgh which showcase the best of British and Scandinavian design; illustrative prints, jewellery, homewares and things for kids. The owners work with the creative Edinburgh community to discover artists and designers. @curiousershop

Found Gallery, Brecon, Powys

A beautiful gallery shop in the heart of the town showcasing the work of artists and makers from Wales and beyond. @found.gallery

Gloucestershire Guild, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The shop representing The Gloucestershire Guild a membership of exceptional designer crafts people. Handmade textiles, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, wood, leatherwork and more. Guest makers are often invited too. @glosguild

The Gloucestershire Guild in Cheltenham

The Hambledon, Winchester, Hampshire

Describing itself as a mini department store housing menswear, womenswear, beauty and bath products, homewares and a fabulous kids department. A beautiful shopping experience @thehambledon

Leadbetter and Good, Lewes, East Sussex

Gorgeous independent store selling homewares and gifts including British made ceramics, textiles and prints, books, handmade chocolate and vintage accessories. @leadbetterandgood

Lift Store, Southwold, Suffolk

A home accessory and lifestyle store devoted to sourcing and creating well-designed, functional items to wear and for the home. Lots of the stock is Danish or Japanese inspired. @liftstoresuffolk

LOOP, Islington, London

A gorgeous textile emporium in Islington, North London. They stock literally everything knitting, crochet and embroidery from all over the world. A handmade treasure trove! @looplondonloves

Made in Hastings, Hastings, East Sussex

A beautiful shop in the old part of town, promoting some of the many talented people in the area by acting as an agent for them through sales of their craft and artwork. Each month sees a stock meeting with decisions made on what to feature. Always worth a visit. @made_in_hastings

Maud and Mabel, Hampstead, London

A carefully curated selection of beautiful everyday objects focussing on ceramics, but also including cloth, wood, and silver with some lovely contemporary art too. @maudandmabellondon

Mulberry Tree Gallery, Swanage, Dorset

A great gallery selling art by nationally and internationally known artists and contemporary makers. Handmade ceramics, jewellery, original artwork, limited edition prints, greetings cards, stationery, lifestyle, and homewares, as well as unique vintage finds. Also a picture framing, and art restoration and conservation service. @mulberrytreegallery

Our Handmade Collective, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Crafters, makers, designers, and artists handpicked to provide a total gift shopping experience. @ourhandmadecollective

PRIOR SHOP, BRISTOL

A not-for-profit, independent shop, workshop space, gallery and community hub in Bristol’s City Centre. Showcasing design-led, handcrafted, contemporary work by 150 sustainable designers and 70% of whom are local to Bristol. @priorshopbristol

Prior Shop in Bristol

Rag of colts, Bruton, Somerset

An absolutely stunning shop showcasing the work of leather worker Caroline Strecker alongside handmade clothes. Caroline’s dream was to dream to create a fully integrated leatherwork studio and shop, to work with other makers and showcase brilliant talent and to champion truly sustainable style, slow fashion – quality products, made beautifully, made to last. @ragofcolts

STUDER FINE ART, PRESTEIGNE, POWYS

A small and beautiful space in the historic market town of Presteigne in the heart of the Welsh Borders. The shop and gallery hosts a rolling collection of artists, makers and exhibitions throughout the year. @studerfineart

Studio Vault, Settle, North Yorkshire

Gallery and shop space showcasing contemporary craft and fine art in beautiful Settle, North Yorkshire. Fabulous ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, paintings, and prints. @studio_vault

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Please let us know your favourite independent craft and design shops in the comments below. All recommendations are very welcome. Let’s celebrate and support the independents!