Top Rated Shopping in Belfast

This is a compact and committed little shop that is part of the association of Fair Trade shops and decked out in posters from international aid charities. It promotes responsible shopping and sells fairly traded products like Café Direct coffees and goods from environmentally conscious manufacturers such as Ecover. It is, in addition, a respectably well-stocked second-hand bookstore with shelf space not only for the usual novels, but also history, literature and critical works on a variety of subjects, as well as some collectors' editions. Vintage style magazines are also on display. This is shopping with a conscience, but also with a smile.

Annville Antiques is a cozy and friendly antique store set just off the main shopping routes on Grays Hill. Collectibles of all shapes and sizes are both bought and sold, but old perfume jars, powder compacts and jewelery from ages past are a specialty. As with many of the stores around this compact area, you can spend hours browsing through the treasures on view without being aware of the time slipping by. Stop by if you're looking for that unusual gift you really can't find anywhere else: there's no pressure to buy and you'll enjoy the journey back to a time when bedrooms were full of priceless little fineries.

Established for many years now, this outlet right on Portadown's high street is ever popular with parents throughout the county. It stocks all the very latest trends in top brand name clothes and accessories, including some toys, for fashion-conscious boys and girls of all ages. Names like Timberland, Kickers, Diesel, Kookai and Elle are all on display in this bright and modern store. As with all name tags, prices are higher than in other retail outlets, but worth it if you want to have the coolest-dressed kid in town.

Turnip House, (contact Elaine or John McCombe) is the label for this unique range of hand-framed knitwear in the pure natural yarns of lambswool, silk and linen. The sweaters and jackets are inspired by the decorations and forms of the early peoples of Ireland. The garments portray an original interpretation of the traditional Celtic designs which became the signature of so many stone carvings, jewelery and illuminated manuscripts in Ireland. These are definitely must-have garments, offering the beauty of past design with the cachet and comfort of modern luxury materials.

Owned and operated by Donald McClusky, who also owns Oakland Antiques in Belfast, Ballinderry Antiques is located in Lisburn about 19.13 kilometers (12 miles) from central Belfast. Housed within a charming house in Upper Ballinderry, this antique store is full of splendid, old treasures like cabinets, mirrors, desks, paintings, among many others. Most of these items are well-maintained and quite unique. Drop in for some wonderful additions to your antique collection.

Housed inside the Cultúrlann on Falls Road, An Ceathrú Póilí is a brilliant bookstore. The shop stocks most of available Irish literature, you will also find here English reference books about Irish culture and literature. Established in 1991, An Ceathrú Póilí is one of just a few remaining, exclusively Irish-language bookstores in United Kingdom. Also on offer are a selection of gift items and greeting cards (in English as well as Irish). If you're looking for some hard-to-find Irish book, you'll probably find it on one of the shelves at An Ceathrú Póilí.