Educational toys for a 3yr old?

[choceyes]

My DS will be 3 soon and I'd like to get him something more educational than the cars/train/vehicles that he is into. He loves reading book too so I buy/borrow him loads of them. I was thinking more like puzzles/jigsaws etc. and board games. and things for learning counting/numbers/alphabet etc?

any ideas?

I like the Orchard stuff, although quite expensive though.

Thanks

Jigsaws and basic games get lots of use in our house, so warrant the investment. It's a birthday, after all, and you can see if any are on offer on Amazon.

Incey-Wincey Spider (counting) and Doodlebugs (colours and shapes and basic tactics) both Orchard games
Dominoes?

Thanks!

I've ordered a lot of Orchard games on amazon after your recommendation! They are so much cheaper on amazon than in the high street shops I was looking at. Nearly half price!!

Ravensburger games and puzzles also worth a look. Both my DC have adored this one
www.amazon.co.uk/Ravensburger-Thomas-Round-Rails-Game/dp/B0006NM9J6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1316719445&sr=8-10
and they (now 5 and 2.7) play it together, so good lasting value (I was lucky and got it in charity shop for £1)
This puzzle is also a favourite and good for learning to tell the time
www.amazon.co.uk/Ravensburger-Thomas-Friends-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B005GOPU32/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1316719385&sr=8-19
M and S often have good alphabet puzzles; jigsaw books (usborne do loads) also a good bet