Where to Shop in North Hampton, NH

Take a detour away from the beach to discover classy shopping on the seacoast.

If you want to get sand in your shoes, go to Hampton Beach. If you want to put some class in your home, go to North Hampton. Except for a few blocks along the ocean, the town of North Hampton is inland, rich with rolling green hills, exquisite homes, horse farms and welcoming shop owners.

Quicksilver Fine Jewelry and Gifts, owned and operated for 30 years by the Poisson family, is more than a shop, it’s like being at a party. The staff and customers all seem to know one another and the atmosphere is happy and welcoming. Look for fine high-end diamond settings from New York designers to gifts for babies, teens, mothers and great “grands.” You’ll gush at the Pandora counter and linger for much too long at the huge Alex and Ani collection. Here is where you’ll find something perfect to mark some of life’s most precious moments.

It’s all about having an eye for design, and Appletree Cottage Antiques & Home doesn’t disappoint. Walk through the door and inhale the inspiration. Shop standouts include a mini chandelier made from old silverware ($95), vintage Hampton Beach postcards enlarged and decoupaged on sap buckets ($25), old “olive basket” pendant lamps ($65), vibrantly painted old shutters, door screens and so much more. Look for reclaimed, sturdy hand-painted furniture (think shabby chic) and re-purposed old window (12 panes) mirrors. Owner Anne Mikolaities is artsy, down to earth and delightful.

The Cranberry Bog, a wedding invitation, card, gift and home décor store, may be the most talked about shop these days at garden parties in North Hampton. Here’s the reason: They carry (drum roll, please) Lily Pads. These beauties could put plastic wrap out of business. Lily Pads are silicone lids that create a vacuum-tight seal on smooth-rim bowls. They are decorative, functional and affordable ($9 and up). In one month the store sold more than 400 of them. From thousands of unique cards to Simon Pearce, Mariposa and other fine quality gifts, there’s something here for everyone. Best yet? Visit with the store’s mascot, Nellie, the most adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel you’ll ever meet.

There is something irresistible about an item that shows up on the hour every day, 365 days a year, and that would be a grandfather clock. Oh, the soothing sounds of chimes. Clocks Unlimited is where you’ll find Bulova and Howard Miller heirloom grandfather clocks as well as beloved cuckoo clocks from Schneider-Kuckucksuhren. The store specializes in antique clock repairs.

Nature’s Outpost is the go-to place if you’re an environmental enthusiast who loves outdoor garden accessories and gifts that come with a story. Look for unusual birdhouses, gurgling water fountains, copper mailboxes, gnome villages, toad houses, stone benches and much more.

C'est Cheese is a European-style shop that sells much more than just cheese. By Melissa Boulanger

You’ll smile when you visit C’est Cheese, a European-style cheese store where you’ll find amazing cheeses, crackers, great wine, premium olive oils and so much more. Look for fruit spreads for specialty cheeses, Belgian chocolate, Italian sweet butter and a tasting in the back corner of the store for trying whatever Chef/owner Nancy Briggs Guilmette whips up.

Catch the artists at work at Great Bay Pottery. This factory and store doesn’t disappoint those who admire good-quality pottery. Look for beanpots, pâté dishes with knife ($20), mugs of all sorts, serving trays, canisters and so much more. The Ikebana flower vases make great hostess gifts.

Wind down your shopping day with a spoonful of culinary perfection. Seacoast Soups has finally opened and business is steaming. The shop carries three soups daily and you can sample before ordering. The Spicy Thai Chicken with mung bean noodles is fast becoming the favorite with the regulars. Look for already-made dinner entrées to-go, such as mac-n-cheese, shepherd’s pie, chicken dishes and more. The menu for the week is posted every Sunday at seacoastsoups.com.