Located in a small cottage on the peaceful grounds of the historic Shadwell Great House, Bougainvillea Books and Gifts is a welcome retreat for lovers of Caribbean literature, art, accessories, aromatherapy and more. Established in April 2023 it is a new boutique book & gift shop that provides a comfortable shopping experience for locally and regionally handcrafted gifts as well as a wide variety of books including cookbooks, journals, children’s books, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories and more.

In addition to providing a welcome shopping escape for those in search of an authentic Caribbean gift Bougainvillea Books and Gifts also hosts and co-hosts regular creative events that range from a quarterly book club to an annual three course dinner and show. Renowned Trinidadian artist Peter Minshall once quoted Spanish poet, playwright and theatre director Frederico Garcia Lorca in response to the question “what are you trying to achieve as an artist?” as saying:

“The poem, the song, the picture, is only water drawn from the well of the people, and it should be given back to them in a cup of beauty so that they may drink – and in so doing understand themselves” Lorca, 1931

At Bougainvillea this is also our philosophy of art and very often we have the awesome pleasure of watching the cup overflow as it is received and interpreted by our community of customers and friends.