What To Buy In The United Kingdom

what to buy in uk
Jayric
Jayric 
Published
| 4 min read

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is so popular that almost everyone knows about popular icons such as Harry Potter, James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, and Doctor Who, and places such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. They are also rich in culture, with a history that traces back to the Vikings, Celts, Saxons, Romans, Picts, Jutes, and French. Some of the most popular places to visit in the UK are London, Edinburgh, Bath, Oxford, Brighton, Liverpool, and Belfast. There are certainly a lot of things to do and places to visit in the United Kingdom. You would probably want to preserve the memories by purchasing some souvenirs that you can keep. If you are currently unsure of the best things to buy, here is a list of what to buy in the United Kingdom to give you some ideas.

1. English/British tea

Fairtrade Friary 29 02 2012 (6)
Source: Photo by user British Province ... used under CC BY 2.0

Did you know that in the event of a local or national emergency, the United Kingdom has a charity that will provide the citizens with tea? English tea has been known to calm people down. It has a great taste, is light on the stomach, helps burn fat, and is a universal drink that both the poor and the rich enjoy. So get a few boxes for yourself for all of these benefits. If you are not a fan of tea, they still make great gifts when you return home. Plus, they are inexpensive, light, and easy to pack.

Visited this place?

2. Harrods Annual Bear

Harrodsbear 2009
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kalanna77 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Stuffed toys are easily one of the best gifts you can give to anyone. They can be as small or as big as you want them to be, they can be personalized, and they typically will hold sentimental value to those receiving the toy. While in the United Kingdom, you should get yourself a Harrods Annual Bear. These special teddy bears are collectible toys that are made yearly with different designs and themes. Being a collectible item, they are made with high-quality materials and designed by the best in the industry.

Visited this place?

3. James Smith and Sons umbrella

James Smith and Sons Umbrella Shop New Oxford Street
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 2.0

From simple and functional umbrellas that will protect you from the rain to the current statement piece that it is today, umbrellas have certainly come a long way. If you are looking for the most English umbrella in the market, James Smith & Sons is the place to go. They offer high-quality umbrellas made by great craftsmen with heirloom-quality materials. They have all kinds of umbrellas classified as for gentlemen, for ladies, folding, sun umbrellas, and exotic umbrellas.

Visited this place?

4. Commemorative pillbox

what to buy in uk | commemorative pillbox
Source: instagram

Commemorative pillboxes are collectible items that are produced to celebrate certain special events. These types of pillboxes are usually elegantly designed and are made out of porcelain and sometimes precious metals. These items are small, serve a purpose, and also make for great decorations that you can display in your house. If you are not planning to collect them, it can also be a great gift for a loved one, as they can easily hold sentimental value.

Visited this place?

5. Buckingham Palace gifts


Are you looking for some nice souvenirs you can bring back when you go home? Buckingham Palace gifts are items inspired by Buckingham Palace and sold by Buckingham Palace Shop. Some of the bestselling gifts include snow globes, luxury biscuit tins, tea sets, charming keyrings, glass ornaments, coffee mugs, and Buckingham Palace magnets.

Visited this place?

6. Dartington Crystal drinking glass


Another popular souvenir or gift you can purchase in the UK is a Dartington Crystal drinking glass. This is the leading glass manufacturer in the UK. These drinking glasses are made from molten glass, which requires a great amount of skill, design, and artistry to make. Dartington uses a combination of new technology and traditional manual tools to give every glass the craftsmanship and attention to detail that makes it stand out. They also come with some nifty casings so they can be easily wrapped and gifted to your loved ones back home.

Visited this place?

7. Maldon sea salt flakes

Maldon Sea Salt flakes
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Couiros22 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Did you know that salt can have different tastes and qualities that people can tell apart? Maldon Salt Company is the master when it comes to producing salt. They have over a century of experience in making the highest quality salt in the world. You might think to yourself that salt is just salt, but you probably haven’t tried Maldon’s sea salt flakes. This salt has been refined and processed in a way that makes it superior to your regular table salt. They can certainly make a difference in the quality of the food you make at home.

Visited this place?

8. Wine gum

Wine Gums
Source: Photo by user Paul Wilkinson used under CC BY 2.0

Thinking of a great snack item to take home with you? Wine gums are chewy gumdrops that come in many different flavors and colors. Despite being called “wine gum”, they usually don’t contain any alcohol. These gumdrops were made for the adult palate because they are not sugar-coated, are lightly sweetened, and are a lot tougher compared to your regular gumdrop. These are great snack offerings when entertaining guests.

Visited this place?

9. Stilton cheese

Blue Stilton cheese
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jon Sullivan used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Stilton cheese is a popular type of cheese in the UK. They can be identified by the crumbly texture, bold flavor, and marble-like streaks. The process of making Stilton cheese has remained the same ever since it was first produced. These types of cheeses are made from fresh pasteurized milk, cultures, and animal rennet. The cheese is produced in two variations, the first one being blue, having a bold smell and taste, and white having less of a smell and giving a mellower taste.

Visited this place?

10. Sherlock Holmes pub sign

Sherlock Holmes, Bordeaux, July 2014
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ardfern used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Are you looking for a great novelty item you can use to decorate your house or shop? A Sherlock Holmes pub sign is easily a cool souvenir that will remind you of your trip to the UK. These signs are designed with the classic pub aesthetic reminiscent of the olden days, which is bold, cartoonish, and utilizing a darker color palate. They can also be great gifts to people who are fans of the popular books by Conan Doyle.

Visited this place?

Remember your trip with souvenirs

The United Kingdom is a great place to visit when holidaying in Europe. They have all kinds of attractions, famous landmarks, pop culture icons, and fun festivals and events. Your visit will certainly be memorable, and you might want to purchase something as a souvenir for yourself or as gifts to your loved ones when you get home. There are many things you can associate to the UK, and to London in particular, and the list above should help you narrow them down.

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

Jayric, a young man in his early twenties, possesses a passion for tech, philosophy, and the arts. He's currently engrossed in personal projects, occasionally indulging in writing on the side, and...Read more

 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.