Where to Buy Handmade Gifts in Cornwall (2025 Guide)

Cornwall is more than just golden beaches, coastal trails, and pasties. It’s a vibrant hub for creativity, craftsmanship, and heritage. From quaint fishing villages to bustling market towns, Cornwall offers an eclectic array of handmade treasures ideal for gifts, souvenirs, or interior decor. Whether you’re searching for artisan jewelry, hand-thrown pottery, bespoke candles, or locally sourced skincare products, Cornwall’s artisans deliver quality and charm that can’t be mass-produced.

This guide uncovers the best places to buy handmade gifts in Cornwall, including independent shops, craft markets, online stores, and artisan studios.

Why Choose Handmade Gifts?

• Unique and Personal: Every handmade item carries a story, offering more character than factory-made goods.
• Supports Local Artisans: Buying handmade supports the local economy and sustainable business practices.
• Eco-Friendly: Many craftspeople use upcycled, recycled, or natural materials.
• High-Quality Materials: Small-batch items often use premium materials and undergo rigorous attention to detail.

Best Towns and Villages for Handmade Gifts in Cornwall

1. St Ives

A town steeped in artistic history, St Ives is a haven for creatives. Don’t miss:

• The New Craftsman Gallery: Cornwall’s longest-established gallery showcasing ceramics, textiles, and contemporary art.
• Porthminster Gallery: Features local and national makers.
• St Ives Farmers’ Market (Thursdays): Handmade soaps, cheeses, crafts.

2. Falmouth

A dynamic maritime town with a thriving artisan scene.

• Inhabit Store: Eco-friendly homewares and lifestyle products.
• Falmouth Art Gallery Gift Shop: Local artists and craftspeople on display.
• The Poly: Offers an art shop and regular craft markets.

3. Truro

Cornwall’s only city, Truro blends historic charm with boutique shopping.

• Truro Farmers Market: Weekly pop-ups of handmade skincare, jewelry, and preserves.
• Uneeka: Two-storey shop dedicated to handmade gifts and fair-trade items.
• Lemon Street Market: Artisanal candles, organic textiles, and bespoke cards.

4. Padstow

More than just a foodie destination, Padstow is home to skilled local makers.

• Padstow Craft Centre: Multi-artist gallery featuring handmade jewelry, glass, and woodwork.
• Trevibban Mill Vineyard: Buy locally made wines and homeware gifts.

5. Penzance & Mousehole

A cultural stronghold with stunning coastal walks and creative vibes.

• Chapel Street shops: A mix of antique stores and artisan shops.
• The Little Picture Gallery (Mousehole): Handmade prints, cards, and home décor.
• Artisan Markets at Jubilee Pool: Seasonal pop-ups.

Top Independent Artisan Shops in Cornwall

1. Whistlefish (Multiple Locations)

• Specializes in prints, greeting cards, home accessories
• All designed in Cornwall, handmade or sustainably produced

2. Poppy Treffry (St Ives & Online)

• Embroidered accessories, tea cosies, and home textiles
• Quirky designs reflecting Cornish life

3. Rogue Otherworld (Tintagel)

• Mythical and nature-inspired handmade candles, books, and gifts
• Eco-conscious and spiritual focus

4. Atlantic Blankets (Hayle)

• Handmade wool blankets using Cornish coastal colors
• Ideal as gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays

5. The Clementine (Fowey)

• Handmade ceramics, Cornwall-themed art, and ethical gifts
• Showcases small-batch artists

Artisan Markets & Fairs in Cornwall

1. Made in Cornwall Scheme

• A government-supported initiative certifying products genuinely made in Cornwall
• Participating makers display a special logo—a mark of authenticity

2. The Etsy Made Local Cornwall Market (Falmouth & Truro)

• A chance to meet Etsy sellers in person
• Handmade soaps, organic beauty, kids’ toys, prints

3. Royal Cornwall Show (Wadebridge)

• Annual June event
• Huge craft marquee with 100+ exhibitors

4. St Ives September Festival Craft Fair

• Hosted in the Guildhall
• A creative extension of the town’s popular arts festival

Where to Buy Handmade Gifts Online in Cornwall

1. Made By Hand Online

• Nationwide marketplace but with a Cornwall artisan directory
• Products: Woodwork, ceramics, textiles

2. Not On The High Street (Cornish Sellers)

• Search by location to support Cornish craftspeople

3. Etsy UK (Cornwall filter)

• Hundreds of local sellers offering handmade jewelry, prints, and gifts

4. The Cornish Store

• Gifts with a Cornish theme
• Cornish tartans, local food hampers, handmade keepsakes

5. Whistlefish.com

• Cornish designed & handmade cards, prints, coasters, and art gifts

Gift Ideas from Cornwall for Every Occasion

Travel Tip: Combine Shopping with Sightseeing

• Fowey + Clementine gift shop: Walk along the estuary afterward
• St Ives + Porthminster Gallery: Grab lunch on the beach
• Truro + Uneeka: Explore Truro Cathedral and Lemon Quay

Read Also: Cornish Artists to Watch in 2025: The Rising Stars of Cornwall’s Art Scene

Conclusion

Whether you’re visiting Cornwall or browsing from afar, there’s no shortage of places to find thoughtful, high-quality handmade gifts. From local galleries in St Ives to eco-lodges selling crafts near Bodmin, Cornwall’s creative scene is bursting with authenticity and charm. By choosing handmade, you’re not just buying a product—you’re preserving traditions, supporting families, and celebrating local beauty.

For collectors, tourists, and gift-seekers alike, Cornwall is the place to shop with purpose. So the next time you’re in search of something truly special, skip the chain stores and explore the artisan corners of this magical county.