A great shop, full of collectables covering decades of television history. From the latest Doctor…read moreWho to classic Gerry Anderson, this shop has delights hidden in every nook and cranny. In addition to their collectibles, there are a vast array of fun, quirky, cheeky and bawdy cards that are so fun you will buy your years supply of birthday cards in one hit. A hidden gem in Torquay. Well worth discovering.

This is a standard branch of Games Workshop, with exuberant staff to help you out with all your…read morehobbying needs, and a range of clubs and groups running during weeknight evenings. It's very children friendly, with staff members teaching younger players the basics of Warhammer, etc, in a patient manner. They also run regular tournaments and related events. They have particularly top-notch terrain on the boards in this branch, very unusual caves and pulley systems and volcanoes, great fun if you usually play on a tablecloth! The only thing I would mention is that although the staff are immensely useful as regards Games Workshop products, don't expect recommendations for D&D or other role-playing games, they're very sales-minded and frown on it!

Clayhanger is a great shop if you are looking for a slightly off-beat present, the shop stocks…read moreeverything from Lava Lamps to Novelty Cufflinks. There is also a range of 'adult' products for those planning hen or stag nights. Even if you don't end up buying anything from Clayhanger it's worth a visit as there is always something in there to make you chuckle.

Although this shop is listed here under the Toy Shops category, it isn't what I would really…read moredescribe as a toy shop. It does sell some soft toys but in the main it stocks quirky bits and pieces, novelty items and gifts. It has a range of hen night type joke items which aren't suitable for children at all, for example. It also has quite a large selection of greeting cards, mostly comedy ones. I used to think this shop was great in the 1980s - it was a place to find unusual gifts. It all looks really dated and tacky now - so either I've become incredibly sophisticated in my old age, or Clayhanger really haven't kept up with retails trends - I suspect the latter.

The Pit is half comic/games/role-playing shop, and half a sort of internet cafe, with a large…read morededicated area full of about ten powerful PCs, which in practise are usually used by kids for MMORPGs. The shop's great for obscure old games, and particularly for second-hand trading cards for really cheap prices. Great if you just want to dabble in a trading card game, you can build up a cheap starter deck in here. Generally good for all your geeky needs.

A good old fashioned toy shop. Great range. Very helpful staff. Will order in and keep back items…read morefor you. Something for every budget - you are sure to be able to spend the odd pound of pocket money on something decent and find much bigger items too. All the usual suspects including Lego and Playmobil at very competitive prices. Located in the centre of Tavistock. Easy parking in the town car parks.

Lovely toy shop selling lots of toys you wouldn't normally find on the high street. They also sell…read moreclothes which aren't really to my taste but the range of toys they have is fantastic. This is definitely somewhere to visit if you have a child's birthday coming up and want to get them something a little different.

This is a little shop located on Bedford Street which is part of the new Princesshay development…read more Parchment specialise in unusual cards and wrapping paper and they also sell a small selection of gifts. The cards are lovely and different from the cards you see elsewhere on the High Street. They are slightly more expensive than other card shops but worth it as the cards are usually handmade and of excellent quality. It's definitely worth popping in here if you want to get a card that's a little extra special for someone.

A refreshingly nice little gem of a card shop on Queen Street…read more They stock a lovely range of tasteful cards and wrapping paper, with lots of museum and art gallery type cards. The cards do tend to be on the expensive side (it's hard to get anything for under three quid) though. They also sell small quirky gifts.

A lovely little shop with a good range of cards you don't see elsewhere on the high street. They…read morealso sell a small range of gifts along with lovely photo albums and notebooks. The staff are really friendly and always willing to help.