Boutiques and bazaars
Quirky boutiques, bustling markets and designer outlets - stand out from the crowd with the shops of the South East
Aladdins' caves
There is a veritable feast of quaint and quirky retailers found throughout the South East. You are sure to feel like a kid in a candy store once more, as you take to the streets to explore the shops.
A great place to start is Surrey where each market town has its own unique offer. Why not visit Holly Park Interiors and pick up some unusual painted furniture or Between the Lines, where you will find some great gifts - both stores can be found in Haslemere. If you have a sweet tooth then Le Chocolat in Dorking is well worth a visit and whilst in town look in on Shrewd which stocks vintage clothing. Farnham's Miscellanea offers the largest selection of Bathroomware in the world and the town also has a country market that is bound to get the tastebuds flowing.
For fine arts and crafts, Windsor is a prime destination. In amongst the 150 shops you will find antique retailers such as Berkshire Antiques. A specialist nautical retailer - Nauticalia and Penhaligon's, a fragrance and accessories boutique. Should you be hunting for clothes with a twist then look no further than Brighton and its network of independent shops collectively known as'The Lanes'. Full of colour, vibrancy and life, shopping in The Lanes is bound to put a smile on your face.
Don't miss out on Oxford's hidden treasures. Lolapoloza offers fashionable jewellery, accessories and a range of art, Casa Rose is an interior living and lifestyles shop and at Swan Antiques you will find a collection of more than 40 showrooms.
Streets ahead
Whether they are cobbled, narrow, long or winding, the region's high streets certainly can't be accused of lacking character or content.
Stroll along Marlborough's High Street, in Wiltshire, one of the widest in Europe, or soak up the old world charm of Lymington, where cobbled streets are home to a diverse mix of gift, clothes and food stores. A good spot for bargains is Hasting's old town High Street which has bric-a-brac shops aplenty as well as a book shop and art gallery. Alternatively, head to the bustling High Street of Guildford, where you can find an assortment of retail outlets from jewellers through to card shops.
Under one roof
Indulge yourself and pay a visit to one of the region's shopping centres. Whatever the weather you can find solace inside meandering your way from shop to shop and treating yourself and others to stylish purchases.
Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth opened in 2001 and provides a mixture of designer outlets for you to browse. Ted Baker, Ralph Lauren and Timberland are just a few examples of what's on offer and should you tire throughout the day there are also plenty of cafes/bars in which to rest your feet.
If in Surrey for the day then Tunsgate Square Shopping Centre is a good place to head for. With award winning boutiques such as Hampstead Bizarre and menswear shops like Hartley's, equip yourself and your loved one for an enjoyable evening at the best restaurant in town.
If you are staying in Kent the newly developed Whitefriars Shopping Quarter provides a pleasant day's activity. Covering one eighth of the area within Canterbury's walls, you can shop stress free taking in some unusal public art such as the Sandblasted drawings in the paving slabs.
