Poole High Street is a step back in time, perhaps as far back as the 1950s, when shops were terraced and globalisation wasn't in the dictionary. The abundance of pensioners drinking tea at cafes and brass bands practising old-time favourites keep the Dorset coastal town, about two-and-a-half hours' drive southwest of London, in its charming time warp. The shopping isn't bad either.
Overlooking the harbour, Poole Pottery Factory Outlet (The Quay, tel: 44 120 266 8681) specialises in seconds, discontinued and new pottery, lamps and kitchenware. Special finds include the Sand-banks Collection, a beach-hut themed dinner service in azure blue and sunny yellow, starting at #7.95 ($110) for an egg cup.
Don't miss Truly Scrumptious (right; 5 High Street, tel: 44 120 267 4117), a traditional confectionery shop that has about 225 glass jars filled with boiled sweets and glass counters displaying slabs of lovingly prepared chocolate and fudge. Just as lovingly created are the skin panaceas at Lush (left; 9 High Street, tel: 44 120 266 8545), which was founded in the town.
The young at heart should check out Paradox (17 High Street, tel: 44 120 266 1346) for role-playing games, action figures and dolls. Spiritual types should head to Gemini (2 High Street, tel: 44 120 266 8383), a purveyor of crystals and minerals, where the most expensive piece, a table-sized purple rock, is close to #1,000, while smaller trinkets are less than #10. The corporate sounding Organization (21 High Street, tel: 44 120 267 3300) sells toy models, planes and a selection of practical-joke paraphernalia.
If you like making things, try Craft-4-U (28a High Street, tel: 44 120 267 6787), which teaches card-making skills at #6 for two hours of instruction.
If you tire of the seaside, head to the nearby New Forest, but visit Frontline (67 High Street, tel: 44 120 277 7377) first for camping and explorer supplies. A signal mirror for when you inevitably get lost is a bargain #6.99.