The different methods for encapsulating crystalline materials inside fullerene related structures are reviewed. The relationships between the mode of encapsulation and the crystallisation behaviour obtained in each case are described. In particular, the mechanisms of morphological and orientational control of crystallite growth inside carbon nanotubes and the comparative encapsulation behaviours of materials encapsulated by physical and catalytic methods are described and discussed. The encapsulation of defect tungsten oxide structures within inorganic fullerene-like structures are also described.