Once upon a time, Bourton-on-the-Water was a reigning raw wool trade capital in England. The Industrial Revolution changed that and, though the village attempted to keep up with the times (even to the point of redirecting its river to supply power to mills), it never managed to recapture its economic vitality - at least not as a center of trade. Its status as a tourist attraction, however, has flourished. Travelers love to visit Bourton-on-the-Water, a village seemingly captured in time. Architecturally, it has changed little since the 16th and 17th centuries, and its shops are housed in many of its historical buildings.  

You'll find gift shops, art galleries, bakeries, antique shops, houseware and china shops (no bull), and the famous Edingburgh Woollen Mills Shop, where you'll find authentic woolen clothing. Don't leave there without a lusciously warm woolen sweater for the winter.

The Looking Glass is a quaint antique shop on Victoria Street, where you may find that perfect authentically-English souvenir to take home and place on your mantle. Bourton-on-the-Water Goldsmiths on High Street specializes in gold and diamond jewelry, and has a workshop on the premises. Be prepared for a bouquet of fragrance when you step into Cotswald Perfumery Limited on Victoria Street, where each fragrance is made on the premises. Your nose will bless you.

If you're a bargain-hunter, check out the following: Discount China on High Street, with lots of plates, cups, and other accessories at great prices; the Dress Agency on Moore Road, a quality used ladies clothing boutique. Top off your shopping expedition with a stop at the Cotswald Shop on High Street, a traditional sweets shop. For a list of more shops in Bourton-on-the-Water, visit bourtoninfo.com.