Newport, the county town of the Isle of Wight, is a thriving place with many of the top high street names, together with many unique and charming businesses. A particular favourite is Jaks, located on the High Street, which is waiting to style your hair and pamper you in their beauty salon. You’ll also find delightful shops like Scotties tackle shop in Lugley Street, as well as two great supermarkets, in Sainsbury’s and Lidl.

Cowes is not to be missed. If you are into all things nautical, there’s no better place to shop. The quaint high street has many shops, including the outlet store of Islandbased Italian fashion company Artigiano. This year, their summer silk and linen range is a perfect fusion of feminine design and luxurious fabrics, so if you miss the shop, make sure you see the collection online at www.artigiano.co.uk.

From Cowes, drive towards Wootton and follow the signs for Medina Garden Centre. Now under new ownership, this great garden centre has a fresh array of new ideas and gifts plus all manner of gardening tools.

Ryde is a popular town with some unusual shops and ample shopping opportunities. On pretty Union Street is Jaks Hair and Beauty Salon, sister shop to the one in Newport.

Nearby Westridge is home to Busy Bee, a fascinating garden centre with great gift ideas. Also at Westridge is the Westridge Golf Course and Pro Shop where everything for golfers can be found. And now open is the newly built and extended Tesco Superstore.

Taking the Shanklin road south, go left to Oasis, the Island’s largest gift shop. Unique, novel, inspirational, bizarre, amusing – whatever your age or style, Oasis has it all. There’s also a café and plenty of free parking on site. View www.oasis-iow.com for online shopping.

Brading is your next stop where you can browse at Kynges, the gift and homeware shop for everyone and all pockets at Brading, The Experience. You’ll also find Destinations there, a high quality factory outlet store with bargains at up to half normal price, as well as sports and designer brands for kids and adults alike. Nearby is the Brading Roman Villa where examples of replica Roman glassware and locally made pottery, books and souvenirs may be purchased.

Pop down to Sandown for traditional seaside shopping and a visit to the Pier, then head inland to Newchurch and a visit to the Garlic Farm. Pick up supplements, gain information about this magical plant’s health benefits, buy garlic for planting in your own garden, take home garlic to cook with or jazz up your food with Vampire Relish and other delicious garlic pickles – this place has it all. You’ll find their online shop at www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk.

Arreton is your next stop where a fine collection of craftsmen has set up Arreton Barns Craft Village (www.arretonbarns.co.uk). Step back in time and discover Diamond Isle Glass Works, Country Cane, Ceramic Crafts and Rural Ways Wood Crafts. The Corn Exchange offers souvenirs, gifts, furniture and furnishings. Opening this summer will be an Olde Fashioned sweet shop. Make sure to visit Lavender and Lace, a thatched cottage with everything herbal and deliciously fragrant. Nestled behind the Barns and accessible off the Newport Road is Arreton Manor and the Manor Stable shop. In this delightful setting, all kinds of souvenirs are available – for both house and garden.

Visit Godshill and the Old Smithy, with a range of ladies’ fashions including Olsen, Pret à Porter, Gerry Weber, Cocomenthe, Verse and Bianca accessories and bags. Gift buying can’t get much better, with ranges including Border Fine Arts, Enesco, Portmeirion and Spode. The delightful Herb Shop offers presentations of aromatherapy products, perfumes and body oils. The Style Shop presents interiors for modern, traditional and country homes: everything from glass dining tables through quilted bedspreads to floor lamps, linens and mirrors. For home-shopping, take a look at www.theoldsmithy.com.

Godshill Organics is located just outside Godshill on the Newport Road and offers everything you’d expect and more – all sorts of fantastic foods, plus cosmetics, oils, lotions and potions. And how about this for a present – the new Naturally Wight range of organic certified skin care products?

Walk through the village and discover Godshill Cider – purveyors of preserves, liqueurs, pickles, oils, wines, hampers and baskets plus, believe it or not, cider! If you miss them in Godshill, see them in Shanklin, which is home to their second shop. Still in Godshill, pop into Lilac and Lace, a sister shop to Lavender and Lace at Arreton Barns, for beautiful gifts for the home.