Nine top museum shops for Christmas gifts
Whether you want to support independent makers and artisans, track down a specific art print or book, or just find a souvenir to remind someone of their favourite museum or gallery, these ten great museum shops are sure to have something ideal this Christmas. All offer discounts with a National Art Pass.
Manchester Art Gallery
- Greater Manchester
Buy framed and unframed prints, books, jewellery by local and national makers and even carefully sourced food and drink at Manchester Art Gallery’s spacious shop, which also has a dedicated makers’ area meaning you can buy work by emerging names in craft who are sure to go on to big things.
The Fruitmarket Gallery
- Midlothian
Find specialist books on typography, art theory, fashion and more at the Fruitmarket’s always reliable book shop, which also offers a number of trinkets and extras perfect as stocking fillers. Plus, there's a range of editions from selected artists who’ve exhibited at the Fruitmarket in the past, such as Jac Leirner and Massimo Bartolini.
mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art
- Cleveland
As you’d expect from a leading centre of contemporary art, you’ll find a tasteful selection of design-led gifts in mima’s shop, from locally made furniture, homeware and jewellery to stationery and books.
Tate Modern
- Greater London
You’ll have no trouble ticking several people off your list at Tate Modern’s renowned gift shop. Will it be one of hundreds of prints of work from the gallery’s collection, or even a signed edition? Some Hockney socks or a Modigliani tote? A lavish exhibition catalogue or a suite of art materials?
The Hepworth Wakefield
- West Yorkshire
If you haven’t already snapped something up from the Hepworth’s acclaimed Christmas fair, don’t worry: the shop stocks a stunning selection of items, from planters and nature books to jewellery inspired by the shapes and angles of the gallery’s David Chipperfield architecture.
Ikon Gallery
- West Midlands
Birmingham’s specialist art book shop, Ikon offers a range of titles and magazines as well as books for children, artists’ multiples, accessories and homeware, lots of hands-on kits and tools and a selection of books and prints relating to Midlands personalities.
Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum
- Wales
See contemporary ceramicists at work at the only surviving 19th-century chinaworks in the UK, and pick up a one-off piece (or two) in the shop. Whether it’s something for the table or purely for decoration, you’ll be supporting the work of practising artists.
Arnolfini
- Greater Bristol
Offering more than 100 magazines and periodicals on art, design, literature and film plus books on contemporary art and culture, postcards and posters, the Arnolfini shop will satisfy even the most discerning reader.
Lapworth Museum of Geology
- West Midlands
If you’re buying for someone interested in the natural world, geography and geology – or a dinosaur-obsessed kid – look no further than the Lapworth shop, full of fun memorabilia and curios to compliment one of the finest collections of fossils, minerals and rocks in the UK.