4 Best Places to Shop in The South, England

The retail outlet of this leading British stamp dealer also specializes in coins, medals, and die-cast models. It's a good source for quirky gift ideas.

Located under the medieval Kingsgate Arch, this atmospheric shop is filled with drawings, travel prints, engravings (many by local artists), rare antique county maps, and secondhand books.

The oldest bookshop in the country (in business since 1729), P&G Wells has numerous books by and about Jane Austen, who had an account here; she died in 1817, almost next door. It also has the region's largest selection of children's books.

With over 200 traders, this large traditional market sells bric-a-brac and antiques inside and organic local produce such as Dorset Blue Vinny cheese (which some connoisseurs prefer to Blue Stilton) outside. Besides the Wednesday market, on Sunday the space becomes a popular market for vendors selling from car trunks and tabletops.