The Cat's Whiskers

If you have never visited the charming market town of Marlborough in Wiltshire, here is a good reason to do so. At the end of the High Street, face the Town Hall and take a left-hand fork. On the corner you will find the delightfully eclectic shop "The Cat's Whiskers", easily identifiable by the selection of small furniture and garden items hanging up outside.

Spread over two floors, with a pretty little courtyard crammed with gardenalia at the rear, this shop offers a wide range of antique and new items for the house and garden, as well as a fascinating mix of unusual gifts from only £1.

Proprietor Sue Rumbold started her career as a student and later became well-known throughout the antiques trade as "Blue-Sue", specialising in Victorian and Edwardian blue and white china. However, on opening "The Cat's Whiskers" about seven years ago, she took the opportunity to diversify into other areas, including vintage textiles, gerdenalia, painted furniture and jewellery.