More rural CURIOSITY SHOPS

THE BARN SAXMUNDHAM, SUFFOLK This former potato shed houses one-off pieces of furniture made from reclaimed materials by owner Tony Knights in his workshop nearby. Tony and his girlfriend, Lucy, who runs the shop, also let spaces in The Barn to other traders, including an antiques dealer. the-barn.co

ARK VINTAGE CAMBERLEY, SURREY Owner Tony Sandells drew on his experiences of different cultures during his time as a Major in the Royal Artillery to create this store back in 2003. Ark is laid out like an indoor market, and sells antique and vintage-look items, specialising in all sorts of tables. arkvintage.com

LUTTERWORTH ANTIQUES LUTTERWORTH, LEICESTERSHIRE Find everything from 19th-century barber chairs and oil paintings to copper saucepans and advertising slogans in five large showrooms at this emporium. lutterworthantiques.co.uk

MAYFLY VINTAGE STOCKBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE Housed in 19th-century brick and flint stables on a farm with views of an old orchard, this shop’s location in Stockbridge is hard to beat. Styles include mid-century and English country house, with items ranging from clocks to chairs to lighting. mayflyvintage.co.uk

THE OLD ELECTRIC SHOP HAY-ON-WYE, POWYS This spacious store, with its large curved bay windows and high ceilings, is based on the ground floor of a former hotel in the market town of Hay-on-wye on the English-welsh border. New and old stock, from chic contemporary rugs to oil lamps, is sold side by side, while books and plants are incorporated into all the displays. The café is rather tempting, too. oldelectric.co.uk