Aladin's Cave

This is the second Aladins cave shop in Bedminster (or first depending on which one you found first!)

This one seems more dedicated to things such as mirrors, photo frames, candles and such like, as well as an impressive aray of fake flowers!

I think these stores are owned and run by the same family as when I asked in this one about (thats right, you guessed it!) yellow electrical tape he asked if i'd already checked in the other store, then he placed the order for me to pick up from the other store. Because they are run by the same people it means the customer service is also brilliant in this one.

When stepping inside of this store you get a bit more escapism from the main street, there is a big transparent counter with many wonderful things inside (from lighters to watches if my memory serves me correctly) and the store has alot more space than it's smaller brother to wander around.

Definatley caves of wonder! check them both out!

I believe this is a family ran business. WIth two stores so close to each other, both of the brick-a-brack variety.

It is a brilliant independant everything store. This one is more clearly laid out than it's smaller brother two shops up the road, and it is also deceptivley large. You probabley have an idea of what to expect before you go in... but don't! This shop will throw up surprises and will have you browsing for items you probabley never heard of before, or ever thought you had need for!

They are all incredibley friendley in store and will help you. If they don't have what you are after they will either order it in or offer a suggestion of where you might find what you are looking for.

I have no idea if this bizarre shop is the sister of the shop of the same name located a few doors down but it wouldn't surprise me in what you might call Bedminster's main high street.

A little ropey from the front, this shop could definitely do with a lick of paint but don't let that, and the large array of fake flowers out the front put you off. Inside, the emphasis is on home furnishings, at least towards the back of the store where there are lamps, photo frames, furnishings and mirrors. There are some great novelty fairy lights and indoor water features too.

The front of the store is slightly more muddled, with everything from stationary and fancy dress costumes to children's toys and incense sticks. The fancy dress accessories are on the slim side but fantastic prices, with a pirate sword costing as little as £1.50 - more than half the price the same thing would cost on one of Gloucester Road's toy shops.

Aladin's Cave is another one of East Street's little gems; not only is it pleasing on the eye, with its numerous colourful items pouring out onto the street, but it is exceedingly cheap and cheerful. Here you will find reams of dried flowers, bird cages, sparkling mobiles, gnomes, brooms, plant pots and the like, all presented somewhat chaotically. But this chaos is what makes the shop an Aladin's Cave! If you are looking for original gifts, this shop will provide the goods. And you may find something unique for yourself too...Something you never knew you wanted!

I try to avoid going into Aladin's Cave because I always come out loaded with things I don't need but are just too cute to pass up. It has an array of household items, some pretty tacky pictures and ornaments, sweet garden stuff. I have a bad habit of buying artificial fake flowers from here - they sell an array, the white ones in particular make fantastic decor and look amazing under UV. I love the metal ashtrays I bought from here with pics of 50s pin-ups, super cheap and would have cost 4 times the price had I got from a cutesy gift shop in Clifton. Aladin's Cave is a great name for this shop as it is a treasure trove for cheap fun gifts