Find unique and indie shops in Winchester for buying gifts and presents
When you're shopping for presents, whether that's for Christmas gifts, a birthday or as a souvenir of the perfect day trip, look no further than Winchester city centre. There are countless places to buy gifts here (including high street favourites like Oliver Bonas, Anthropologie and Søstrene Green) but what's special about Winchester is how our city centre is so full of small independent stores and gift shops, often in charming historic buildings.
Winchester has it all from boutique department stores, indie jewellery shops and places selling locally-sourced treats to a bookshop Jane Austen might have shopped in. Keep reading to find unique, unusual and indie gift shops in Winchester for stocking up on cards, wrapping paper, books, homewares and more.
Main image: The Consortium
The Hambledon (pictured)
A petite department store in The Square, The Hambledon sells a carefully curated collection of independent brands. You'll find everything from high end homeware and clothing to beauty, stationery and jewellery, as well as a sweet selection of kids bits and bobs.
Projects
This sustainably-minded spot is both a café and a store, stocked by local artists and traders. You'll find sellers offering vintage, homemade, sustainable and ethically-sourced gifts. Swing by for candles, cute cards, hand-knitted cuddly toys and ceramics.
Kingsgate Wines & Provisions
So much more than a local corner shop, Kingsgate Wine & Provisions, in pretty, cobbled Kingsgate Village, also sells a selection of hand-picked treats which would make great gifts. Think boxes of locally made chocolates and fancy deli items.
The Consortium (pictured)
A treasure trove on Jewry Street, The Consortium is the kind of shop where you pop in for a birthday card and come out with two candles, a patchwork quilt and a coffee table book about sandwiches. The store, which spills over multiple floors, sells trinkets, accessories, ceramics, soaps, clothes and more.
Cornflowers
Cornflowers Gift Shop, in Kingsgate Village near Winchester College and Winchester Cathedral, is a family run spot selling a hand-picked range of gifts, like soft stuffed toys, fragrant reed diffusers and cosy socks. You can also pick up a range of Winchester College gifts here, from ties and cufflinks to wine glasses engraved with the school's crest.
Aura
For handcrafted jewellery designed by indie jewellers, pop into Aura on Parchment Street. Offering a range of styles, from modern to antique-inspired, Aura sells ready-to-wear gems and also takes commissions for extra special pieces.
P&G Wells (pictured)
P&G Wells has been selling books from College Street, two doors down from the building Jane Austen died in, since 1729. The characterful store's shelves are stocked with books written by local authors, new novels and non-fiction, plus there's a whole lot of brilliant reads for little ones upstairs. Ask knowledgeable staff for a recommendation if you need help with gift ideas.
Tillius
If unique and unusual gifts are what you're after, this place should be your first stop. It might feel like that tricky friend already has everything, but do they have a monthly framed and preserved butterfly subscription? You can also pick up the likes of a golden peeled banana candle holder, an anatomical heart necklace and more quirky curiosities and maximalist homewares in this atmospheric gift shop.
Chococo
If you're shopping for a pal with a sweet tooth, you can't do better than Chococo, a shop selling locally-made chocolates. You can stock up on giant slabs of choc, boxes of beautiful chocolates, indulgent postable brownies and novelty sweet things, like dark chocolate mackerels in a tin and a box of milk chocolate frogs.
Fig & Fox (pictured)
One of Winchester's newest shops, Fig & Fox sells ethically sourced homewares, gifts and yummy things to eat and drink. You'll find everything from scented candles and bath salts to coffee table books and cute kids toys. There's also a coffee shop on site if you need some caffeine to help fuel your quest for the perfect gift.
The Arc Shop
Nip into Winchester library at The Arc for a browse around their shop, where you'll find nice cards, notelets and postcards as well as crafty and creative books, thought-provoking activity sets, tote bags, ceramics and more, often linked to the art exhibition that's on upstairs.
Warren & Son
The place to go for stationery since 1835, Warren & Son stocks all manner of greetings cards and notecards. The shop on Upper High Street is also stuffed full of great gift options, from the ever-appealing Jellycat stuffed toys and children's sketching pads to jigsaw puzzles, patterned aprons and incredibly fancy pens.
Winchester's Visitor Information Centre
Did you know Winchester's visitor information centre also has a great shop, selling trinkets, treats and gifts produced by local makers? What's on the shelves changes regularly but you can expect prints from local artists, locally-made preserves, jewellery, tea towels, tote bags, ceramics, books and a fair share of gifts for Austen lovers, too.
