Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>The best place to shop hard-to-find gems from local makers? The local museum shops. From Chastworth House gift shop&#8217;s exquisite locally-crafted picks to the cool, quirky finds at Nottingham Contemporary, here&#8217;s your dream shopping list for some of our local favourites.</p>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-Ilex-avo-vase.jpg" alt="ilex avocado vase" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Ilex avocado vase</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Whenever I&#8217;m in Nottingham I can&#8217;t resist a peek in the byond-cool gift shop at <strong>Nottingham Contemporary</strong>. I&#8217;ve already got Ilex design classic the Acorn Vase, but this season I&#8217;ve got my eye on its Avocado Vase cousin which allows you to observe an avocado seed as it matures. Simple, timeless, and fascinating.</p><p>£49.99</p><p><a href="https://nottinghamcontemporary.shop/collections/spring/products/avocado-vase-by-ilex-studio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-Chatsworth-tote-jpg.jpg" alt="mad bad and dangerous to know tote bag" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Caroline Lamb quote tote bag</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Always allow at least an extra half hour to browse the gorgeous gift shop when you visit <strong>Chatsworth</strong>. It&#8217;s filled with perfectly-curated collections that nod to the house, the local area, and the current exhibition. With House of Stories currently on, that means loads of lovely literary finds, like this cheeky rust tote bag with that famous quote about Byron (who visited Chatsworth).</p><p>£18</p><p><a href="https://shop.chatsworth.org/collections/house-of-stories-tales-from-the-chatsworth-library/products/tote-bag-rust-dangerous-quote-caroline-lamb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-custard-cream-cushion.jpg" alt="custard cream cushion" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Cuddly custard cream</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>If it&#8217;s a world of whimsy and wonder you&#8217;re after, then don&#8217;t miss the brilliant gift shop at <strong>The Harley Gallery </strong>on the Welbeck Estate. Unusual, beautiful, joyful finds guaranteed. Alongside jewell-like, finely-crafted, sculptural creations, you&#8217;ll also find moments of whimsy like this cool custard cream cushion by Nikki McWilliams.</p><p>From £45-£66</p><p><a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/visit-us/shops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-birthstone-earrings-x.jpg" alt="birthstone turquoise hoop earrings" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Birthstone earrings by Bonita Keay</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>One of the very best local museum shops we&#8217;ve come across is <strong>Derby Museum &amp; Art Gallery</strong> (it just scooped shop of the year at the Museum &amp; Heritage Awards). Cool arty books, lovely textiles, and joyous jewellery from independent makers &#8211; like these sweet birthstone earrings. Sadly, you can&#8217;t get browse online, so you&#8217;re going to have to hotfoot it down there in person, but oh is it worth it, especially if you&#8217;re looking for a unique gift.</p><p>£12</p><p><a href="https://bonitakeay.co.uk/products/turquoise-hoop-earrings-small-sterling-silver-huggies-february-birthstone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-Maco-bowl.jpg" alt="maco wooden bowl from david mellor design museum" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Maco olive ash bowl</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>For kitchenware, cutlery, and decadent design, the <strong>David Mellor Design Museum</strong> near Hathersage is worth a peek. And the shop is seriously tempting. How about this hand turned Italian ash bowl with an external eggshell finish in a lovely subtle shades of green? A thing of beauty.</p><p>£65</p><p><a href="https://www.davidmellordesign.com/craft-pottery-and-woodware/craft-woodware-ranges/maco-coloured-wooden-bowls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-Tom-Pigeon-necklace.jpg" alt="tom pigeon necklace" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Cobalt Capsule necklace by Tom Pigeon</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>The jewellery in <strong>Nottingham Contemporary </strong>shop is edgy, cool, and classy. This simple, playful necklace is by Tom Pigeon (pen name of designer, maker and artist Kirsty Thomas) who loves to play with geometrics and pattern.</p><p>£52</p><p><a href="https://nottinghamcontemporary.shop/collections/jewellery/products/tideline-necklace-by-tom-pigeon-copy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/05/GHI-NT-picnic-blanket.jpg" alt="NT yellow check picnic blanket" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title"> Jade and yellow check picnic blanket</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>A round-up of museum shops wouldn&#8217;t be complete without a <strong>National Trust </strong>mention. Always chock full of great gifts and rural goodies, there are plenty to pick from in our &#8216;hood, from Clumber and Calke, to Hardwick and Sudbury Halls. One of the things they do best? Picnic blankets &#8211; and this practical but pretty waterproof-backed one is a beaut&#8217;.</p><p>£48</p><p><a href="https://shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/national-trust-jade-and-yellow-check-waterproof-backed-picnic-blanket.html">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/brews-local-designs-tea-mugs-cups-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Locally-crafted mugs for a cool cuppa</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/first-look-house-of-stories-tales-from-the-chatsworth-library/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: Chatsworth, House of Stories</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/interiors/the-ultimate-denby-edit-5-pottery-pieces-worth-snapping-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The ultimate Deby edit: Pottery pieces worth snapping up now</a></p>


Local museum shops we love (and what we’d buy)

You may also like