Places to Buy Jigsaws

It pays to look around before making a jigsaw purchase - in all probability you will be surprised at the diversity of jigsaw retailers available to you. Several different types of retailer are listed below and further details can be found from the links on our Jigsaw Puzzle Contacts and Links page.

High Street Shops

The great majority of jigsaws sold in the UK are sold from non-specialist shops and stores. The puzzles are usually chosen because the buyer is attracted to the picture on the box and because the price is affordable. High street shops are to be commended both for making jigsaws readily available to every shopper and for kindling the initial interest of future enthusiasts.

WH Smith deserves to be singled out for particular praise. Throughout the last century the company was always supportive of the jigsaw trade and they remain the most significant retailer of jigsaws in the UK. John Lewis department stores carry a range of quality puzzles and Woolworth stores can always be relied upon to offer value for money. If you live in the South of England then the Gamleys stores carry an interesting selection as do Toys R Us, situated up and down the country.

Car Boot Sales and Jumble Sales

You can sometimes pick up a real bargain at one of these outlets. However, remember that if there is just one piece missing then the value of the puzzle will be greatly reduced.

Specialist Shops

All of the following carry a good range of puzzles and are worth a look if you are in their area:

• Barneys Newsbox at Grasmere in the Lake District
• Jigsaw Gallery at Sutton in Surrey and Horsham in Sussex
• Mr Punch's at Shaftsbury in Dorset
• Mr Puzzles Jigsaw World at Hay On Wye, Hereford
• T. C's Jigsaws at Kings Lynne and Hunstanton

Specialist Dealer

Tom Tyler (Telephone 01473 723 458) is a leading expert on British jigsaws and carries a wonderful range of second hand puzzles. Call him if you are looking for a specific puzzle or a gift for a jigsaw collector. You might also buy his excellent book titled British Jigsaw Puzzles of the 20th Century.

Mail Order Catalogues

Barneys Newsbox (Telephone 01539 435627) and Bits and Pieces (0870 750 7750) both publish colourful catalogues that they will be pleased to send you. Especially useful when you are shopping for gifts.

Puzzle Club

Puzzles Plus (Telephone 0870 4422123) operate a club that works along similar lines to a book club - you undertake to purchase 4 items during your first year from catalogues sent out every 5 weeks. They feature a range of interesting jigsaws, some of which are exclusive to them.

Wooden Jigsaws

Robert Longstaff of Longworth in Oxfordshire (Telephone 01865 820206) have a showroom featuring their excellent range of laser cut jigsaws. Wentworth Puzzles of Malmesbury in Wiltshire (Telephone 01666 840033) sell their extensive, laser cut range by mail order. Dave Cooper ("Clarendon", Parsonage Road , Herne Bay , Kent CT6 5TA), Optimago (020 7736 2380) and Sara White (Telephone 01635 867217) all cut beautiful wooden jigsaws in the traditional style.

Online Auctions

eBay is the world's principle online auction site for jigsaw puzzles and is a great place to both buy and sell - it's also good fun. If you have never used eBay then spoil yourself by putting aside an hour to learn all about it. Simply log on to "eBay.co.uk" and click on their links and easy-to-follow instructions.

The quantity of jigsaws on eBay sometimes numbers many thousands and you are sure to find something of interest. If you are interested in the value of old puzzles then this is probably the best place to "Get a feel" for the market - you can watch the prices that are paid over a period of weeks or months. Don't forget also that eBay is a good place to dispose of any of your own "Unwanted" puzzles.

Specialist Online (Internet) Sites

The Internet really comes into its own for jigsaw retailing because it gives you access to a huge range of puzzles that you can view online. The trouble is that there is so much to see that it is easy to get lost! Our Jigsaw Puzzle Info. page provides links that will help you to start finding your way around.