What to Buy In The United Kingdom

What to Buy In The United Kingdom
Jen
Jen 
Published
| 4 min read

Tea from London. Tartan from Scotland. Welsh dictionary (because the language is beyond mad) from Wales. Irish whiskey (naturally) from Ireland. You’ll have some idea of what souvenirs you want to bring back home from your trip to the UK. Each one certainly represents a distinctness about each place. Although they’re right on the money, such generalities about these wonderful countries are limiting. The typical goods you get may not be enough to remind you of your experiences and convey a “sense of place” or culture for whoever who will receive your souvenirs. So, when you want to buy more than the usual items in the United Kingdom, learn more about each country. Does Northern Ireland have other great products that fend off the blistering cold other than Irish whiskey? Find out what to buy in the United Kingdom by reading through the article below.

1. A commemorative pillbox

The collection includes a £29 pillbox (left) and a £25 coffee mug (right) The collection has a scarlet and gold theme...

Posted by The Queen's English on Thursday, 17 January 2013

Are you a fan of the Royal Family? Then a specially designed pillbox from a collection that commemorates any big event from the world’s most well-known family should be a good splurge. Try a pillbox that celebrates the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child. This collectible item is part of a collection the Buckingham Palace commissioned, and so you’ll only be able to get it at the Palace shops. The delicate little keepsake features a unicorn and a lion, which are supporters of the coat of arms, topped with a coronet of the royal couple. Made of English bone fine china, it’s handmade using traditional methods that have remained for 250 years. It’s sure to be presented in a lovely box. You could pass it down to your youngest child or a friend who may be expecting.

Visited this place?

2. Lovespoons


Lovespoons from Wales are traditionally hand-carved wooden spoons, usually with intricate designs. They have been used to present or proclaim one’s romantic intentions. So you’ll notice that most of these spoons will feature symbols of love, from locks to intertwined hearts. You could also pick your unique symbol.

Today, however, you can get them customized. The lovespoon could symbolize a milestone in your life (e.g., a golden wedding anniversary) or celebrate a tradition in your family (e.g., the firstborn heads the family business). Whatever your intentions are for this beautifully crafted piece, the lovespoon makes an excellent souvenir from Wales.

Visited this place?

3. Irish linen

Posted by Thomas Ferguson's Irish Linen on Thursday, 24 October 2019

Linen is definitely easier to carry in your luggage; you might not need to pay extra for overweight bags. But other than the lightweight appeal of linen from Northern Ireland is its quality. Irish linen has established brand equity through the years because of the weaving expertise and fine yarns of those who work in the industry. In addition, local brands are committed to delivering high-quality linen to serve an upscale market. When you pick up bed or table linen in Northern Ireland, you’re sure to get a natural product that will last you long while.

Visited this place?

4. London hat

Posted by Lock Hatters on Friday, 27 December 2019

This may be more challenging to fit in your bag, so choose your styles accordingly. Perhaps other than the Royal Family, the Union Jack, and the ubiquitous red telephone box, the distinguished hat is a mark of London life. It signifies a kind of sophistication that makes you want to be proper, or at least attempt a British accent. One of the best places to get a hat would be Lock & Co., which has the distinction of being one of the oldest hat shops in the world. The brand has had many illustrious clients in the past (and still does to this day), including Oscar Wilde, Charlie Chaplin, and Winston Churchill. Which hats should you get? Try the classic bowler hat, the baker boy cap, or the bucket hat.

Visited this place?

5. Sporran

Sporran 002
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 2.0

You can’t come away from Scotland and not buy highland wear. But instead of the usual kilt, take your pick from a range of sporrans. A sporran is a pouch that serves as a pocket on a pocketless kilt; it’s part of the traditional male Scottish highland outfit. The beauty of a sporran, other than its authenticity to the Scottish culture, is its versatility. Who says you have to use it just on a kilt? Sporrans come in different designs, as in dress and semi-dress styles. You can wear it with a chain or leather strap. It’s a perfect souvenir gift for a special guy or a stylish girl, and it’s a great addition to your accessories.

Visited this place?

6. Biscuits from Harrods

Posted by Harrods on Saturday, 2 November 2019

You’re sure to stop by Harrods for several things, from accessories to gourmet products. If you’re on a budget and still want to bring home some Harrods goodies, pick up a few tins of English butterscotch biscuits. They come in a gold tin embossed with details and sealed with a gold lid. So you won’t have to worry about damaging it while you’re in transit.

If you want something other than butterscotch, the luxury shop also has other flavors: lemon and dark chocolate, salted caramel, and maple and pecan digestive biscuits. They’re going to add a bit of bulk to your luggage; but once you settle back into your apartment, feet up, tea in hand, you’re going to savor every bite and thank yourself for hauling such delicious souvenirs.

Visited this place?

7. Harry Potter merchandise

"Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." If you've been to the Studio Tour, where did you feel most at home? : kitkatsdancee

Posted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London on Wednesday, 22 May 2019

Harry Potter is perhaps one of the more famous British icons in cinema, aside from James Bond, of course. With the massive popularity of this franchise, you’re bound to find merchandise from the movie in any country. But wouldn’t it be better to get a collectible item from where it all started? You can tell your kid or nieces and nephews that you come bearing authentic Harry Potter stuff. Head to the Warner Bros studio for a tour, then pick up a Harry Potter wand, a personalized Ravenclaw (or Hufflepuff or Slytherin) crest embossed journal, or time turner necklace. You’ll find a treasure trove of items at the gift shop.

Visited this place?

The value of souvenirs

A souvenir carries more value than the price you pay to get it. Whether it’s as unique as a lovespoon or as everyday as linen, each item you take back with you is treasured. They are treasured for their uniqueness, their authenticity, and their representation. So, the next time you’re in the UK, think beyond the usual. And shop for things that will trigger memories and experiences you’ll cherish for a long time.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore United Kingdom
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.