The House That Jack Built in Plymouth’s Barbican

The House That Jack Built: an arcade of independent makers in Plymouth

The House That Jack Built is a craft shop, art centre and gift shop at 10 Southside Street, in Plymouth’s historic Barbican. It sits between The Bottling Plant and Peardrops, opposite the Plymouth Gin Distillery. From outside it is easy to miss how much is inside: the building is an old-fashioned shopping arcade with a central fountain decorated with fairies and elves, plus a “magical forest” style interior. The setting feels more like a collection of small stalls and studios than a standard gift shop, so it is the sort of place where browsing is part of the experience.

The building began as a fruit and vegetable warehouse owned by the Nash family. Local artist Jack Nash transformed it over two years, inspired by his travels to Cornwall and the craft markets of St Ives. The arcade opened in May 1982 and still brings together independent traders, artists and makers. The current selection covers a wide range: Nook Houseplants sells indoor plants, handmade planters and pots, while The Original Fruitcakes offers retro, handmade and sustainable clothing, accessories and footwear. The Tusken Trader focuses on LEGO, science fiction, superheroes and film collectibles, including 1970s LucasArt Star Wars figures. Its LEGO sets are hand-checked for completeness, with UK postage, free delivery on orders over £70 and free click and collect available.

There are also more unusual stops, including Top Secret Magic, run by professional magician Malcolm Norton, who has more than 44 years’ experience and is a member of The Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star. The shop sells magic essentials, rare finds and modern effects, and also runs workshops and shows. Its listed hours are Monday to Friday 11:30–16:30, Saturday 11:30–11:30 and Sunday 11:30–16:30, although it is sensible to check before travelling, as each business in the arcade sets its own hours. Other options include hand-painted glass at My Favourite Glass, handmade sea-glass jewellery from Sam Birch Jewellery, custom dog accessories at GONE WILD, Pokémon cards at BPH Cards, Japanese sweets and kawaii toys at Kook-E-Mart, and crystals and tarot-related gifts at MySoul4Stones and Leap of Faith Tarot. Local artists also display work and offer readings on site.

The House That Jack Built is best suited to a relaxed browse rather than a quick, single-purpose shop. It has a Google rating of 4.7/5 from 56 reviews, and weekdays are generally quieter than weekends. There is no single price range because the arcade contains many separate businesses, but the mix includes small gifts, clothing, collectibles, plants, artwork and specialist services at different price points. The central location makes it straightforward to include while exploring the Barbican, though checking individual traders’ social media or websites is advisable before visiting.