Shoppers Guide to Suffolk

Who doesn't enjoy browsing around shops offering wonderful products at bargain prices? Suffolk is home to such a large and varied selection of shops that you are sure to find something to suits your tastes and needs. Along with all of the recognised High Street chains, Suffolk offers shoppers something a little more distinctive. Throughout Suffolk you will find a great many independent and family-run shops selling unique, hand-made and specialised items covering everything from clothes, jewellery & accessories, to knick-knacks, ornaments, food & drink, and home & garden ware. You are sure to find the perfect gift for that special someone - or perhaps even treat yourself to an irresistible item!

So get the credit cards at the ready, and continue reading to discover the vast choice of shops open for you to visit in the Shoppers' Guide to Suffolk.

A shopping trip to Long Melford is sure to make your day, as here you will find not one but two lovely shops belonging to Anne and Owen Roberts. The Cuckoo Flower on Hall Street stocks a fabulous range of Lifestyle & Interior products including jewellery, handbags, scarves and other accessories, indulgent toiletries, gifts for all and kitchen ware. Just a stone's throw away you will find The Cuckoo Flower Home, proudly boasting a remarkable selection of contemporary and trendy designer furniture for your home and garden, plus interiors, glassware, and kitchenware. You are sure to find a delightful addition to your home that will impress your friends - or leave them green with envy!

Are you green-fingered? If you want to add something special to your garden, a trip to Harveys Garden Plants in Bury St Edmunds is the order of the day. This family-run nursery growing rare and unusual breeds of plants offers you the opportunity to buy seeds, plants and other garden accessories. You can also ask the advice of the expert staff, or attend one of the various talks and events frequently held here.

In Ipswich is Evolution, a shop owned by a Buddhist charity, The Windhorse Trust, offering gifts and home ware sourced directly from developing countries - the profits of which go towards International and Community projects. Here you will find a delightful selection of interesting and unusual items to choose from, such as mirrors; candles; cushions; jewellery & accessories; toys & games; teapots; photo frames; and furniture. So why not make that special purchase whilst also doing a good deed?

Kitty's Homestore in Framlingham invites you to drop in for some retail therapy! At Kitty's you will find a large selection of items to indulge you, your home or your garden with, and you can take a shopping break in Kitty's Cafe, now offering light lunches along with coffees, teas and delicious cakes.

One shop offering an unparalleled experience not to be missed is The Amber Shop in Southwold. Sitting alongside The Amber Museum, here you will discover the delights of all things amber. The museum features a beautiful selection of carvings and artefacts from around the world, and in the shop you will find a breath-taking array of traditional and modern amber jewellery for both men and women. This is a unique shopping event, so be warned - you are likely to want to spend the whole day there!

The Jessica Muir Gallery in the centre of Long Melford is a wonderful place simply to visit, view and admire its products - though we are sure you will be tempted to make a purchase once you see exactly what is on offer. Artists and shop owners, Jessica Brown & Jean Muir, specialise in jewellery, ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, painting and limited edition prints. Individual commissions and sourcing for specific requirements are undertaken to accommodate individual customer requirements, and the gallery features a changing programme of exhibitions which run throughout the year.

Another great place to pick up some original arts and crafts is the Suffolk Craft Society in Ipswich. Within this magnificent 1868 Town Hall building shoppers will find a sales outlet for contemporary designer craftwork such as ceramics, jewellery, sculptures, weaved baskets and home & kitchen ware. The Society also has a craftwork commissioning service, an online shop, and hold monthly, free-entry talks and exhibitions by a featured artist.

Stepping Out in Bury St Edmunds is the best place to visit for all your travel clothing, adventure gear and other outdoor accessories. The shop stocks all well-known brands of outdoor clothing and accessories - from hiking boots and waterproofs to sleeping bags and tents, amongst many other useful and necessary items. Their friendly team of staff are always on hand to offer advice, and for those of you unable to reach the shop in person there is an online catalogue.

Nursey & Son Ltd stock a wonderful selection of sheepskin clothes and accessories in their shop in Bungay, and have done so for over 200 years. Here you will find everything from coats and bags to hats and slippers - and all crafted by hand! You can telephone or visit the shop and speak to a member of staff who knows everything about the products on offer, so if you're looking for that special item made with a personal touch this is the place for you.

Variety is the key word when describing Anglia Photographic in Halesworth. Primarily stocking a wide range of digital cameras, 35MM cameras, and other photography equipment, they also feature sports clothes and equipment - including fishing rods - and school uniforms.

Rafi's Spicebox in Sudbury is something special. Rafi Fernandez, author of over 12 cookery books, has created an Authentic Asian Delicatessen that will bring the true delights of Indian cooking into your home. Simply visit Rafi's, browse their vast menu of mild-to-hot Far Eastern dishes and select the option you fancy. Rafi's staff will then prepare a Curry Pack by blending the spices and ingredients while you wait. Finally, take your purchase home, add water, and enjoy your authentic cuisine within 30 minutes! Rafi's also offers a mail order service from their online shop.

Another shop selling foods that are sure to make you sweat is The Chilli Company in Stowmarket. As you can guess by the name, here you will find all things chilli. And we mean ALL. They have a Chilli Farm, growing over 150 varieties of chilling for you to come and see; Pablo's Deli selling fresh chillies; a Chilli Shop bursting with locally produced gourmet sauces, salsas, jellies, chutneys & oils, plus extra-hot imported sauces, as well as gifts, clothing, books and ceramics; a Chilli Coffee Shop selling a great selection of teas, including Chilli Tea, Coffee and Chilli Hot Chocolate and soft drinks plus a selection of Light Lunches to suit all tastes; and finally a Mexican Restaurant and an outdoor Tapas & BBQ Restaurant. This is one place you could easily spend the whole day in!

If you have worked up an appetite whilst out shopping, a trip to Palmer's Bakery is sure to put an end to that rumbling in your tummy! This is a family-run bakery, using local produce to prepare recipes handed down through generations. Alongside traditional baked goodies such as breads and pastries, you may also purchase specialised items such as wedding and birthday cakes, fine oils, hampers, teas & coffees, free-range eggs plus a variety of jams, marmalades & conserves.

Finally, Borley Smokery in Gestingthorpe will tantalise your taste-buds with their delicious smoked fish on offer, including sea trout; kippers; halibut; salmon; rainbow trout; scallops; and haddock, to name but a few. What better way to end a day out shopping than to pick up something yummy for tea!