The Mugwump
37 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
This shop’s mantra is 'Bringing nice things to Durham', and it certainly succeeds in that. Birthday cards, toys, scented candles, a spotty summer dress… you’ll find all this and more, albeit in a rather haphazard fashion, in this self-professed 'unique boutique', originally launched many years ago by art-school graduates. There's designer fashion upstairs, with bags, jewellery, accessories and clothes by the likes of Nougat and Avoca. Downstairs is for gifts, wrapping paper, cards, glassware, ceramics, candles, bathroom stuff, lotions and potions, with names like Cath Kidston and Neal's Yard to the fore. The basement houses yet more tempting designer art, print, photography and homeware.