Support a small business by visiting one of these creative independent shops beside the sea

Instead of buying online, why not enjoy the high street experience again by browsing the unique products offered in independent shops? From small boutiques and sustainable homeware stores, to artisan gift shops and local bakeries, here's an updated list of some of our favourites around the UK coast.

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN CORNWALL

LIGA, Fowey, Cornwall

Four years after founding LIGA, their sustainable homewares business in Cornwall, Jennie and David Elderkin set up their first own label shop. The Grade II-listed building, set in the heart of Fowey, will showcase the entire LIGA range featuring placemats, coasters, trays, trivets, tableware and kitchen textiles with sustainable cork, grown in Portugal in the Montado forests, at the core of the collection. LIGA’s ethos is to make sustainable materials affordable and useable for everyday products, with the majority designed in-house and hand finished in Cornwall. Other sustainable brands on offer include Green Pioneer, Thought, Weaver Green and Helen Round (loveliga.co.uk).

MMW at Revolver, Newquay, Cornwall

Photo by erinwashstyle.com
Inspired by her love of travel in the USA and Europe, Michelle Walsh has created a stand-apart clothing and lifestyle store based around stylish pieces ‘on land, at sea and everything in between’. Think Native American-inspired towels from Pendleton, Birkenstock beanies and women’s wetsuits from KASSIA + SURF plus felt hats, handmade candles, driftwood necklaces and balms, mists and creams rich in essential oils. Hot on the heels of last summer’s natural wine and sake pop up bar on the same grounds, Spring 2020 promises more foodie events highlighting locally-sourced ingredients and natural wines from around the globe (mmwstore.com).

Tin Coast Design, Penzance, Cornwall

Photo by Charlotte Burns
If you’re dreaming of an interiors makeover built around coastal colour palettes, patterns, stripes and natural textures, look no further than Tin Coast Design. In its seaside shop, perched right next to the promenade between Penzance and Lewlyn, sits a curated collection of textiles, lighting, furniture, artwork and vintage décor inspired by a Scandi aesthetic and the huge expanse of sky, cliffs, and the big deep blue of its surrounds. Happily, the online shop has all this and more; from statement bowls carved from natural wood and chunky oversized lamps to striped storage baskets and Rattan trays perfect for summery garden cocktails. Sign up via the website to receive regular Design Boards plus styling and decorating tips to help inspire your own coastal look at home (tincoastdesign.co.uk).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN DEVON

Wanderlust Life, Braunton, North Devon

Photo by Ash James Photography
British jewellery designer Georgie Roberts and her all-female team at Wanderlust Life moved to a permanent new studio and retail space in surf-cool Braunton back in 2018. Alongside the signature jewels – featuring moonstone bracelets, aquamarine necklaces and semi-precious stones – the Life Store offers a carefully curated edit of homewares including Cornish ceramics, pots and planters and Wild Medicine skincare products made just up the road (wanderlustlife.co.uk).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN DORSET

Herringbone, Dorset

Herringbone was set up around seven years ago by a group of passionate artists and makers providing a showcase for original local art and stylish handmade goods in Charmouth and the surrounding area. Now run by Anna Kindred, one of the original artists, around 40 local artists and makers are represented, using paint, ceramic, glass, textiles, wood, silver and more. A popular range of summery tunics and tops joins vintage jewellery and upcycled furniture, taking inspiration from the sea (instagram.com/herringbonecharmouth).

Otto House, Bournemouth, Dorset

Dorset coast or Downtown LA? Step into Otto House and it’s hard to tell. An über-cool, community-minded coffee shop that runs its own print shop, designers and retail shop in store, Otto’s specialises in eco-friendly screen printing, with organic apparel options to give ethical weight to new customised togs. The menu stars all-day burritos, vegan pancakes and Banoffee pie, along with smoothies, milkshakes and coffees good enough to go back and get the tailor-made T-shirt (ottohouse.co.uk).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN THE ISLE OF MAN

The Tide, Isle of Man

The Tide – an independent clothing, gift and accessories store in Ramsey – washes new treasure on to the shores of the Isle of Man on a daily basis. Led by well-loved collections from Seasalt, Mistral and Lighthouse, spring is all about organic cottons and bamboo for easy costal living. The store’s own range features cushions, china mugs, coasters and place mats with a strong nod to Manx heritage and language while locally designed goodies include one-off handbags and purses, colouring books and a new range of organic artisan soaps inspired by the Manx coast and countryside (the-tide.co.uk).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN KENT

Little Bit, Margate

Setting up shop in Margate’s Old Town in 2017, Little Bit gift and stationary boutique is described by owner Polly as a ‘rainbow box of joy – every piece has to make me smile.’ When you’re standing in a sea of stripy beach towels, giant inflatables, painted sailor door wedges and a submarine bathroom caddy the colour of custard, it’s quite impossible to keep a straight face. Happy days! (littlebitmargate.com)

The Whiting Post, Whitstable, Kent

Retro beach vibes and good old-fashioned service ripple through this clothes store like a stick of rock. Sift through rails of colourful, quirky pieces and try on a 1950’s dress for size with advice from the friendliest staff in town. Official stockists of Joules, Seasalt Cornwall, Emily + Fin, Noa Noa and many more, you’ll also find Vineyard candles, porcelain pendants and bright melamine cups and bowls from Danish homewares brand, RICE. Looks like summer’s here to stay (thewhitingpost.com).

Potters, Ramsgate

Photo by Tom Wright
Potters is a plant, homewares and gift shop set up by friends Wednesday Lyle and Alison Murphy in spring 2019. Mixed in with a luxe yet homely range of Scandinavian textiles and 70’s-inspired ceramics sit pottery, prints and cards from British makers and regular exhibitions showcase the work of local artists. The aesthetics might be Scandi-cool but you’ll find a welcome here as warm as buttered toast. If you’re new to growing indoor plants, especially, Ali and Wednesday have lots of advice for green fingered novices and a there’s a signature range of essential oil candles, body oils and room scents primed for a winter launch. Viva la seaside high street! (pottersramsgate.com).

Archive Homestore & Kitchen, Ramsgate, Kent

Photo by Simon Kennedy
Overlooking Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour, Archive is seaside boutique meets coolest caff. Featuring a pared down range of top-notch homewares, gifts, books and stationary with cute books and toys for the kids, it’s the perfect place to nab an early stocking filler: from bamboo trays and Scandi cookbooks to woollen throws and artisan chocolate, much is available online, too. The popular brunch and lunch menus, championing locally-grown produce, stars grilled cheese toasties, smoked salmon platters and artisan teas and coffees (archivehomestore.co.uk).

Nice Things, Ramsgate, Kent

Photo by Carlos Dominguez
A shop that most definitely lives up to its name. Based on Ramsgate Harbour, owner Suzy Humphries has created the ultimate ‘hand-made’ space where East Kent’s most talented makers and artists can showcase their wares. Seaside inspiration ripples through an eclectic collection of jewellery, textiles, ceramics and art. We think Rose Dickinson’s delicate seashell brooches, the glass seahorse suncatcher and the funky embroidered crab are very nice, indeed (nice-things.co.uk).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Maranta, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

A global pandemic hasn’t stopped business owners Olivia Herrett and Kelly Blackburn from marrying their respective passions of jewellery, plants and mid-century antiques to create the coolest lifestyle store on the north-east coast. Championing small brands and local artists, Maranta also serves up loose leaf teas and coffee from speciality roasters Fire & Iron, along with a counter of doughnuts, cakes and biscuits made by local guest bakers. To shop online, visit facebook.com/marantacleethorpes/

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN NORFOLK

Gone Crabbing, North Norfolk

Photo by Andy Davison
Crabbing kits, t-shirts and buckets and spades; summer is officially here and this store in Burnham Deepdale has all your little ones’ beach needs covered. Starring Colin the (Cromer) Crab and his seaside friends, Gone Crabbing’s range of playful beach toys, accessories and casual clothing include brightly-coloured beach towels, windbreaks and a line of fabulous soaps for a fiver (‘Barnacle Buster’, anyone?). Can’t get to the sea? Snap it up online (gonecrabbing.co.uk).

Pastonacre, Cley-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk

If you really need one more excuse to tread the North Norfolk path, it’s Pastonacre. Starring an award-winning sourdough, made daily using only organic flours, water and sea salt, the tiny shop – which opened this spring – heaves with heavenly breads, pastries and cakes freshly made in the on-site bakery. Bag up baguettes, croissants or cruffins and get a freshly ground coffee to go, leaving room for a ‘SourdoughNutz’ filled with Malted barley milk or Strawberry and Cardamom Cream. Best foot forward (pastonacre.com).

Norfolk Natural Living, North Norfolk

The white sandy beaches of the Norfolk coast and its lavender-rich fields provided natural inspiration for trained aromatherapist and mum-of-three Bella Middleton when she set up a sustainable, slow luxury garment and home care brand in the tiny village of Holt in January 2018. Vegan-friendly, plant-derived products free of harmful chemicals are at the foundation of the bright, airy flagship utility store that sells everything from baby-soft wool wash and botanical hand sanitisers to tins of hand cream, plant food and gemstone diffuser oils, all handmade in the local workshop (norfolknaturalliving.com).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN SCOTLAND

The Modern Croft, Oban, Scotland

In 2017, Isabella MacRitchie turned her lifelong passion for design and interiors into bricks and mortar and set up The Modern Croft in a new contemporary building on Oban’s North Pier. Anchored in Scottish and Scandi aesthetic (Scandish, if you will) with functionality at its core, the craft, design and homewares store offers everything from upcycled mid-century furniture to bold, graphic prints with handmade jewellery and ceramics from the likes of Myer Halliday, Clod & Pebble and Steph Liddle, to name a few leading Scottish makers. Visit the Instagram page and get ready to book the next train north (themoderncroft.com).

My Beautiful Caravan, Aberdeen, Scotland

Photo by My Beautiful Caravan
Tucked away in the coastal town of Stonehaven, My Beautiful Caravan boasts a small but mighty trove of stationary, gifts and homewares with fun at its heart. Featuring funky tea towels, cool prints and playful melamine plates, this wee boutique is ideal for that person who thinks they have everything. ‘We pride ourselves on our quirky, retro vibe, great customer service and unusual, design-led products,’ says owner Jennifer Davidson, whose specially commissioned range of Stonehaven products – think stylised mugs, magnets and posters – features the local open-air pool and Dunnottar Castle. The hand-painted glass bauble, depicting a ‘skyline’ of local coastal attractions, is top of our Christmas wish list (mybeautifulcaravan.co.uk).

Aunty Betty’s, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, Scotland

Ice-creams, puddings, sweeties, cakes and coffees: a trip to Aunty Betty’s is all the sweeter thanks to its salty, seaside location right on the prom at Stonehaven – perfect for takeaway treats at high tide. Established nearly 15 years ago, Aunty Betty’s is a shop that takes pudding seriously: luxury, handmade ice-creams feature no less than 24 flavours including bramble, cherry ripple, tablet and honeycomb which are worked into a seasonal menu of sundaes, cookie sandwiches, ice-cream cakes, hot-filled doughnuts and milkshakes, all made freshly on site. Sweeties include vintage classics such as pear drops, mint humbugs and chocolate raisins and there’s even treats for Aunty Betty’s many four-legged regulars including dog ice-cream, lucky bags and pick n’ mix (01569 760601, auntybettys.co.uk).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN SOMERSET

The Ottowin Shop, Bristol


Based on the old Gloucester Road, Ottowin’s is home to a collective of sustainable independent artists and designers – and a welcome antithesis to rails of fast fashion. From their studio, founders Lucy Lloyd and Oliver Cross make less than 200 pairs of shoes by hand every year – from fitted boots and buttersoft sandals using locally tanned leather to zero-waste baby shoes crafted from the finest offcuts – as well as running shoe-making courses online. The shop’s range of ethical clothing, homewares, and accessories can be shopped online at theottowin.shop.

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN SUFFOLK

Blackshore Coastal Clothing, Suffolk

Sited on Southwold’s bustling high street, Blackshore’s bricks and mortar shop and workshop is the place to head for a slice of the Suffolk shoreline. Championing small-scale, British-made sustainable fashion, there’s cotton T-shirts, dry wax ponchos and handmade canvas duffle bags along with smocks, jackets and Guernsey knits for cooler summer days. Online orders (excluding the ‘Handmade’ range) are shipped weekly (blackshore.cc).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN SUSSEX

Reste, Hastings, East Sussex

Functional, well-designed home-ware celebrating traditional craftsmanship lies at the heart of Reste; a small but perfectly formed home and lifestyle store based in Hastings’ Old Town. Here you’ll find the useful and the beautiful; rosewood dessert spoons, linen aprons and sea-inspired espresso cups by ceramicist Libby Ballard. If you’re further afield, take a look at the online story board and fill up your virtual basket – bright tropical air plants, organic wash cloths and aromatic vegan soaps promise a taste of spring to come (reste.co.uk).

Beachcomber, West Sussex

After years of travelling out of town in the quest for gifts for friends and family, Katie Palmer decided to open her own shop. Beachcomber has a fun, fresh range of gifts and accessories – think rainbow doormats, starfish earrings, flamingo water floats and woven beach bags adorned with neon pom-poms – are just a few reasons the lifestyle store is making waves in the seaside village of East Wittering (beachcombergift.com).

Tidy Street General Store, Brighton, East Sussex

Photo by Elle Smith
More striped linen jumpsuits and Venetian slippers than bumper bags of screws and nails, this general store marries an old school sensibility with the kind of quietly dynamic edit of clothes, accessories, homeware and gifts that make you want to linger longer. Leave Brighton with a fresh pair of wooden clogs, a tin of Romneys mint cake and lip balm by de Mamiel in your new round-handled macramé shopper – just don’t say we didn’t warn you (tidystreetstore.com).

Little Beach Boutique, Brighton, East Sussex

From fairy lights illustrated with West Pier starling murmarations to sea green glass coasters and felted seagulls with stripy legs, Suzanne O’Leary’s collection of handpicked homewares, accessories and gifts reflects the sense of new ‘beachy beginnings’ her coastal boutique has offered emerging artists and makers since opening in 2014. ‘I buy lots of ranges that are someone's first venture into selling their work,’ says Suzanne, who also runs fused glass workshops from the site on Brighton’s iconic North Laine. ‘I like having the opportunity to give people a platform for their work.’ (littlebeachboutique.com).

Roots & Hoots, Brighton, East Sussex

This zero-waste delivery service is creating a radical new way to eat and live sustainably. Goodbye plastic packaging: Roots & Hoots’ closed-loop system means loose items on the shopping list – from sugar and spices to washing-up liquid and conditioner– are weighed, packaged in re-usable, plastic-free containers and delivered via an emission-free electric van. Championing ethical, plant-based and biodynamic brands in food, home and beauty, we hope it won’t be too long before there’s such a service everywhere (rootsandhoots.com).

INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN YORKSHIRE

Betsy & Bo, Staithes

Photo by Ceri Oakes
Remember sherbet pips and cherry bonbons? There’s childhood nostalgia on every shelf of this traditional sweet shop and deli, which also serves take-away coffee and batches of artisan chocolate, hand made on the premises. In the high-end general store you’ll find everything from Whitby Gin, fresh loaves of sourdough and fine cheeses to logs and firewood. This month keep an eye out for special Valentine’s chocolates plus, later in the year, chocolate-making courses held on site. Delish! (instagram.com/betsyandbo).

You may also like to see our 8 Best Online Coastal Shops or the Best Artisan Food Delivery Companies. Subscribe to Coast magazine for more seaside inspiration.

You may also like to see our 8 Best Online Coastal Shops or the Best Artisan Food Delivery Companies. Subscribe to Coast magazine for more seaside inspiration.