Cheshire Cat and Trio

I have great memories of visiting the Cheshire Cat (in the beautiful village of Hillsborough, Co Down) as a little girl.
It was a treasure trove packed full of toys, games, teddys, stickers, marbles, joke paraphernalia…
Also I often thought it was odd/​impressive that my Xmas stocking from Santa was full of gifts with the Cheshire Cat sticker on it (I thought he made all the gifts in his workshop with the elves)!
In the hallway to the shop is a beautiful painted wooden rocking horse which had to be given a go on the way in and way out.
Over the years the Cheshire Cat briefly moved premises, but am pleased to see it back in its original location. Unfortunately it doesn’t quite live up to memories, as it now incorporates Trio, a gift shop for the older ladies taste, with the Cheshire Cat a little nook at the back of the shop. It still has a good selection of pocket money treats, and an ok selection of other toys and games and teddys…
Worth a visit with your little ones if in Hillsborough, even if just for the rocking horse and pocket money treats (love a Fortune Teller Fish & Silly Putty)!

So disappointed. I had been looking forward to coming back to the Cheshire Cat for years since my last visit (we have family in the area) and bringing my 4 year old. Since my last visit they have changed location and the once really wonderful selection of toys in particular is now really poor. We were told that whilst the back room looks small it was meant to house the same amount as the previous shop but all of us (local grandparents included) do not agree. In fact the little shop that once had more toys than grown-​up gifts has now turned into a gift shop with just a small selection of toys. My 4 year old was seriously disappointed.

If you have any small children to buy presents for you must visit this shop, a treasure trove of traditional toys, games and puzzles in the back room of shop with a more grown up gift shop at the front.
At the door there’s an old rocking horse which they call Dapple, of the sort that used to fascinate me as a child. Children are free to have a ride on Dapple, though at their own risk or words to that effect as stated on a notice that I suppose is a necessity in these days of health and safety, more’s the pity.
Everything in the shop is about quality and tradition with a bit of nostalgia included. Several visits are needed to have a proper look but there is a good choice of small items and up to date interesting little things too so despite the upmarket feel you can still get something without having to spend a lot of money.

From the minute you step in the door and notice the beautifully traditional rocking horse, you will be smiling like a Chesire Cat. Honestly, this place is one of those wee treasure troves in which you find absolutely every gift worth buying, whilst also reminiscing about yesteryear, those wooden spinning tops you once had, and that doll’s house you so badly wanted (and perhaps still so badly want…).
The Chesire Cat is snug and cosy, yet bursting at the seams with jewellery, chinaware, novel gifts (ever come across a tiny box of 50 things you must do before you die? Neither had I), and greetings cards. The back section is dedicated entirely to toys of every shape and size, from teddy bears to cute little wooden toys. I could’ve spent all day having a nosey — it’s that kind of shop.
My sister and I were joined by some well-​spoken English customers, and they were being well seen to — all questions answered. This did mean that no-​one spoke to us, but I didn’t expect them to, and they were right to focus on the English ladies.
Such a lovely place to pick up a gift for just about anyone. Hopefully you’ll be grinning by the end of it too…