Wales Shopping Guide: An Overview

Some interesting and attractive handicrafts are made in Wales, and you’ll find most of them for sale in the shops. Pottery, especially the Conwy ceramics, knitwear, gifts and ornaments made of slate (Wales was at one time the world’s largest producer of slate), and linen are among the items you should definitely look out for. Traditional Welsh `carthens’ (throws) woven from the fleece of native sheep, and delicate gold jewelry may be rather costly, but they’re invariably good value for money. Wooden hand-carved items, such as bells and goblets, are also great buys as souvenirs, as are the famed `lovespoons’.

Most shops in Wales open 9 to 5.30, Mondays to Saturdays, and usually from 10 to 5 on Sundays. In large cities, many shops stay open till about 8 on one day in the week, to allow `late shopping’; conversely, many shops in smaller towns and villages close early, around 1 in the afternoon, on one day of the week.

All purchases in Wales, except of food and books, attract a 17.5% VAT, which is usually included in the price. Generally, tourists from outside the EU can claim a refund of the VAT; the shopkeeper will usually arrange this.