Jigsaw Puzzles

Best Jigsaw Puzzles in the UK and Where to Buy Them: A Shopper’s Guide

If you love the slow, satisfying click of two puzzle pieces locking into place, you’re in the right spot. Jigsaw puzzles are having a renaissance across the UK, from chunky kids’ sets to intricate 3D models and giant floor puzzles that cover a rug the size of a small table. This guide walks you through the best stores to browse, the types of puzzles worth hunting down, and practical tips for choosing, storing, and finishing puzzles like a pro — all in plain English and with plenty of local UK store options to try.

Why Jigsaw Puzzles Are Still a Hit in the UK

Puzzles do something screens can’t: they slow you down and pull you into a tactile, focused activity. Whether you’re building a 100-piece scene with a toddler or tackling a 1,000-piece masterpiece with friends, puzzles boost concentration, fine motor skills, and mood. In the UK, demand for puzzles has grown because they make great rainy-day activities, thoughtful gifts, and social pastimes. Plus, there’s a thriving market for specialty puzzles — think 3D landmarks, personalised designs, and educational floor puzzles — so you’ll rarely be short of options.

Top UK Stores for Jigsaw Puzzles

Not every retailer stocks the same styles or brands, so it pays to know where to look. Some shops specialise in family and kids’ puzzles, others focus on designer and collectible pieces, and a few carry the tools you need for keeping a puzzle in one piece once it’s finished. Below are the best places to shop, from high-street chains to specialist stores, with examples of what you might find in each.

Ebebek — Great Picks for Kids

Ebebek is a surprisingly good spot for family-friendly jigsaws and educational puzzles. Expect to find colourful titles like Orchard Toys Big Dinosaurs Jigsaw Puzzle and the Clementoni Paddington Giant Floor Puzzle, both perfect for little hands and group play. Ebebek also stocks simple first puzzles such as Rossie Wood First Puzzle - Pets and Vehicles, plus activity-focused sets like Orchard Toys Match And Count Jigsaw Puzzle and Orchard Toys Who's In The Jungle. If you’re building a preschool collection, this store has solid, kid-tested options.

Menkind — Puzzles for Grown-Ups and Geeks

Menkind leans into novelty and complexity. It’s the kind of shop you visit when you want a puzzle that doubles as a showpiece. Here you’ll find Professor Puzzle Houdini Escapologist Collection pieces, Flying Scotsman 3D Puzzle kits, and Spitfire 3D Puzzle models that are as much display as pastime. Menkind also sells clever gifts like the True Genius Grecian Glass Bottle Puzzle, personalised postcode jigsaws, and practical accessories such as the Portapuzzle Standard Jigsaw Puzzle Board. If quirky, collectible, or mechanical puzzles are your thing, Menkind is a must-see.

The Entertainer — Family-Friendly Range

The Entertainer is a high-street favourite for family sets and licensed imagery. You’ll find everything from 50-piece kids’ puzzles to larger 500-piece family challenges featuring familiar characters. Their stock moves quickly around holidays and birthdays, so it’s a great place for impulse buys that still feel thoughtful. Prices are competitive, and they often bundle seasonal puzzles into multi-buy offers, making it simple to build a varied collection for family game nights.

John Lewis & Partners — Quality and Brand Variety

John Lewis is where you go for brand reassurance and well-curated selections. Expect classic names like Ravensburger, Gibsons, and Clementoni alongside stylish adult jigsaws that double as art. If you want durable pieces and premium picture quality, John Lewis often stocks limited-edition designs and higher-piece-count puzzles for experienced builders. The presentation and packaging tend to be a cut above, which helps if you’re buying a puzzle as a present that should look smart on the shelf.

Hobbycraft — For Serious Puzzle Makers

If puzzles are part of a broader craft habit, Hobbycraft is a handy stop. Many stores carry puzzle mats, glue, frame kits, and sorting trays in addition to a wide puzzle range. Hobbycraft caters to people who treat jigsaw building as a long-term hobby — think modular workspaces, storage solutions, and tools for preserving your finished work. If you’re assembling a 2,000-piece project and want the right accessories, this is where to stock up.

Argos — Convenience and Value

Argos is the place for quick buys, easy click-and-collect, and good value on familiar brands. Their selection covers children’s puzzles through to 1,000-piece adult sets, and you can usually see customer ratings and reviews right on the product page. Argos excels when you want a decent puzzle without hunting around — practical, fast, and reliable for most needs.

Amazon UK & The Works — Wide Selection

Amazon UK is unbeatable for sheer variety — from obscure independent designers to big-name brands and vintage reprints. The Works is a low-cost champion with lots of budget-friendly puzzles and seasonal bargains. Both retailers are useful when you want to explore rare themes or bulk-buy for events. Just watch for seller ratings and product photos to make sure you’re getting accurate piece quality and box size.

Choosing the Right Puzzle: Size, Piece Count, and Difficulty

Choosing the correct puzzle for your mood and skill level is half the fun. Piece count is the most obvious cue, but you should also think about the finished size, image complexity, and whether the pieces have distinct cuts or repeating shapes that make sorting harder. A 500-piece adult puzzle might cover around 20 x 16 inches when finished, while a 1,000-piece puzzle often spans about 27 x 19 inches — useful to know if your table space is limited. Match the puzzle to the time and space you have.

Piece Count vs. Time to Complete

Piece count gives a rough idea of time, but it’s not perfect. A 300-piece photo of a uniform sky can take longer than a 500-piece collage with obvious colour blocks. For a solo weekend project, a 500- to 1,000-piece set is common. If you’re working with a group, try a giant floor puzzle or multiple 300-piece sets for a more social build. Think of piece count as a speedometer rather than a stopwatch — your pace depends on image complexity and how many hands are helping.

Board Size and Workspace (in inches)

Before you buy, measure your workspace in inches. A standard dining table usually offers about 36 to 48 inches of clear width, which is comfortable for 500- to 1,000-piece puzzles. Giant floor puzzles — like the Clementoni Paddington Giant Floor Puzzle — can spread to 36 inches or more in one direction, so you’ll need a carpet or rug with room to spare. Portapuzzle boards are handy if your table is smaller: they let you move and store a project safely when you reclaim the table for dinner.

Special Types: 3D Puzzles, Giant Floor Puzzles, and Personalised Jigsaws

Specialty puzzles add variety and can become decorative pieces after assembly. 3D puzzles build to a shape — think famous trains, planes, or stadiums — and often include interlocking plastic or foam pieces. Giant floor puzzles create immersive scenes for kids to climb into. Personalised jigsaws let you turn a photo or postcode into a unique keepsake. Each type needs different patience and space, but they’re all wonderful ways to expand beyond the flat, rectangular standard.

3D Puzzles

3D puzzles are perfect for builders who enjoy model-making. Menkind’s Flying Scotsman 3D Puzzle and Spitfire 3D Puzzle are good examples: they require attention, mechanical thinking, and often result in a display-ready object. These models can be shipped as kits with numbered pieces and require no glue in most cases. Treat them like model kits rather than traditional jigsaws — patience and a flat workbench are your friends.

Giant Floor and Kids Puzzles

Giant floor puzzles — such as the Clementoni Paddington Giant Floor Puzzle — transform the floor into a play surface. They’re great for toddlers and preschoolers learning shapes and stories, and they can be used for interactive storytelling or early counting activities. These puzzles are usually printed on sturdy board so they withstand little hands and occasional spills. For group family time, nothing beats assembling a giant puzzle together on a rainy afternoon.

Personalised Jigsaws

Personalised jigsaws add sentimental value to an already thoughtful gift. You can turn a wedding photo, a family portrait, or a special map into a unique puzzle. Menkind, among others, offers personalised postcode jigsaw options that transform a location into a memorable keepsake. When buying a personalised jigsaw, choose an image with clear contrast and avoid overly busy photos to keep the puzzle enjoyable to assemble.

Accessories: Puzzle Boards, Sorting Trays and Storage

Accessories make building and storing puzzles much easier. Portapuzzle boards let you transport or stash a half-finished project without losing progress; they come in sizes to hold 500- and 1,000-piece puzzles. Sorting trays, often with several compartments, speed up assembly by grouping edge pieces, colour areas, and unique shapes. For long-term storage, consider puzzle glue or a roll-up mat that secures pieces in place. Accessories turn a hobby into an organised habit.

Puzzle Boards and Portapuzzle

The Portapuzzle Standard Jigsaw Puzzle Board is a simple but brilliant tool: it gives you a portable, flat surface that keeps pieces from sliding and allows you to lift the whole project when you need your table back. If you have small rooms or a tiny kitchen table, this is indispensable. Boards come in several sizes; pick one slightly larger than your expected finished dimensions so you have room for sorting and framing later.

Brands to Trust in the UK Puzzle Scene

Brand reputation matters for piece fit, image clarity, and overall enjoyment. Orchard Toys is a favourite for kids’ educational puzzles, and Rossie Wood produces high-quality beginner sets. Clementoni and Ravensburger are known for adult puzzles with precise cuts and bright images. Hand2mind offers educational, activity-focused sets, while Professor Puzzle produces novelty and brain-teaser puzzles. Picking a reliable brand reduces the chance of loose-fitting pieces and makes finishing more satisfying.

How to Save Money on Puzzles — Sales, Bundles and Second-hand Finds

Puzzles are often discounted around holidays, but you can also save by watching clearance racks, signing up for store newsletters, or buying multi-pack bundles for themed collections. Charity shops and second-hand markets are goldmines for older or out-of-print puzzles — just check for missing pieces before you buy. If you’re trying to build a collection on a budget, swapping with friends or joining community puzzle libraries lets you enjoy many different images without a big outlay.

Tips for Framing and Preserving Your Finished Puzzle

Finishing a puzzle is half the satisfaction; preserving it is the other half. Use puzzle glue to secure the image, then mount it on foam board and pick a frame slightly larger than the finished dimensions. Keep in mind the finished sizes in inches so you choose the correct frame. If you prefer a non-permanent option, a clear acrylic puzzle press works well and avoids glue altogether. Store puzzles away from direct sunlight and damp areas to prevent fading and warping.

Where to Find Rare and Collectible Puzzles

For rare finds, head to specialist retailers and hobby shops that curate limited runs or artist collaborations. Menkind and specialist online boutiques often list collectible 3D models and museum-quality prints. Auction sites and collector forums are also worth watching for discontinued designs. If you’re hunting a specific edition, set alerts on major platforms and join puzzle collector communities — someone usually spots a rare box and posts about it online.

Conclusion

Whether you’re new to jigsaws or you’ve been building for years, the UK market offers a rich and varied selection: from children’s educational sets at Ebebek to novelty and 3D kits at Menkind, plus high-street options like John Lewis, The Entertainer, and Hobbycraft. Knowing what you want — a quick family build, a display-worthy 3D model, or a personalised keepsake — will guide where you shop. With the right accessories and a few smart buying tips, you’ll be piecing together your next favourite puzzle in no time.