Home > The Definitive Guide to shopping in the Spa City

The Definitive Guide to shopping in the Spa City

When so much shopping in conducted online it is easy to forget the sheer pleasure of browsing through shops and the personal touch of good service. With almost fifty per cent of its shops under independent ownership, Bath makes a memorable shopping destination with a distinctive difference in a delightful setting. Often it is the shopping that attracts visitors to return to Bath time after time.

THE BATH FASHION STATEMENT

Sassy & Boo in Margaret Buildings is a gem of a boutique. Show stopping, hand beaded flapper dresses sit alongside contemporary fashion by designers like Baby Ceylon, jewellery and gorgeous leather bags by Wilbur and Gussie proving that vintage can work with very new. The softest and finest cashmere and frilly knickers are popular with regulars. Rub shoulders with Nicholas Cage who owns a whole house in the Circus.

More boudoir than boutique Mee is the place to be as self-indulgent as it says on the label. Hidden away in Bartlett Street in the company of Toast and Bath's first sushi bar, discover a treasure trove of hard to find labels like Juliet Dunn Libelula, Lofli jeans and Miller Harris perfume. Regulars call in simply to spend time in the shop; the charming staff have a calming influence with no high pressure sales. The array of goods and gifts dazzle and delight so no hard sell is needed, it's more about resisting temptation. The celebrity A list shops here so watch out for Kristen Scott Thomas, Julia Sawalha, Tamsin Outhwaite or Tara Fitzgerald. Mee owners, Tamara Sturtz-Filby and Emma Mandell-Lynn have combined their backgrounds (beauty and fashion respectively) to establish this successful boutique which is definitely worth a detour.

26 years on, Lyn Gardner and John McNulty have lost none of their flair for buying fashion and still travel to all the shows to ensure their Bath store reflects the latest trends. Their Old Bond Street shop, Square features serious brands like Prada, Miui Mui, Missoni, Gucci, Matthew Williamson, Jasmine di Milo and Alice Temperly as well as Vivienne Westwood. Alongside this is a fantastic selection of contemporary collections. As a member of the British Fashion Council (only one of two people representing the independent sector outside London), Lyn is at the top of her game and found fame giving advice on "WAGS Boutique". If the WAGS head West they would not be disappointed by the new look, sleek Square (more Sloane Street than sleepy provinces) and the service is so hands on that their favourite designer's frock will be put aside in anticipation of their needs. In Northgate Street, the male version of Square features Marten Margiella, Juicy Couture and True Religion among others.

Prey stocks unusual and quirky gifts and jewellery, lighting and designer fashion tucked away on the first floor. With labels like Betty Jackson, Orla Keiley, Amanda Hill, Transit and Tara Jarmon and helpful but not intrusive service this is worth a trip.

Shoon started in Bath but has spawned a sister store in Marylebone High Street. Men's and women's clothing is a mix of the practical and the stylish with muted colours and consistently good quality. Brands like Brax with their great fitting jeans, Tommy Hilfiger and Flax typical. At the rear of the store they stock shoes and boots by Birkenstock, Timerberland, Ecco and Gabor among others.

Min Stevenson has been selling fashion in Bath for forty years. With her shop, Image, in Milsom Place, she continues to offer the very personal service which has been the secret of her success as well as an eye for buying fashion that suits her clientele with brands like Joyce Riddings, Max Mara, Sonya Riekel, Paddi Campbell and Sheiso. Rachel Ross from Monmouth visits Bath one a fortnight for a retail fix and heads straight to Image, "in Bath you can find interesting clothes you cannot get anywhere else, and all the shops are in quite a small area so you can get around in a short time", she says.

AH Moda in Milsom Place is in the trendsetter's black book with their super brands like D&G, Missoni, Nicole Fahri and Armani. Bags by Chloe, Luella, and Giuseppe Zanotti and the latest collection of designer denim are all displayed in this chic and funky boutique.

On historic Pulteney Bridge Pink Stripes looks tiny but is packed with surprises. Sticky Fingers, Nougat, Hunters and Gatherers and Fenwright Mason are among their labels as well as local designer Alexandra King. Wearable fashion for day and evening with welcoming service give this classy shop its edge.

"Urban elegance meets alpine chic" or so it says on the promotional blurb for Uber, another fashion stop in Margaret's Buildings. An unusual mix of smart casual with a fair amount of funk. Next door's Hansel and Gretel is even more Uber the top with a profusion of Tyrolean imports including elaborate cuckoo clocks and hand carved wood and stone gifts.

As recycling clothing is the fashion, visit Vintage to Vogue off Milson Street for well priced clothes dating from the 1850's to 1950's. The range includes period accessories as well as formal wear, coats, dresses and antique lace.

The Frock Exchange in Kingsmead Square is a great find for nearly new designer clothing. Affordable frocks by big name designer make Chanel and Vivienne Westwood more accessible.

ACCESSORIES
Duo on Milsom Street is the place to find handcrafted leather boots with a fit so faultless, they could have been made just for you. This season's 33 styles in 21 calf sizes deliver a fashion fix with dazzling detail. Duo pioneered the concept of perfectly fitting boots and now offers the widest selection of styles and sizes in the marketplace. It makes sense that legs snugly encased in Italian leather look altogether more sleek and sexy - kiss goodbye to saggy ankles, gaping knees and drooping leather knee-highs once and for all. The dazzle is always in the detail with Duo.
Liz Cox bags are hand crafted in her nearby workshops in Stratton on the Fosse. In an era when we worry about the carbon footprint it doesn't come much more local and the Bath Liz Cox shop is a one off. For such a touchy feely purchase it is worth making the trip and many people do just that so much that it has become a "destination shop". This is a thoughtful purchase for the aficionado so now a bespoke service enables a personal choice of leather, colour, size and design. "Liz Cox is best known for the dramatic use of colourful fabrics in a very original style combined with quality craftsmanship" said Andrew Cater.

Perryer Collection handbags are made by Andrea Perryer and her daughter, Amanda. Their classic silk clutch is a hot favourite and can be made out of a customer's own fabric to match an outfit for a special occasion. Located in Milsom Place, they have a dazzling display of affordable gifts as well as leather and silk bags.

The Mulberry brand is synonymous with beautifully crafted leather and quality craftsmanship. The Mulberry Factory Shop located 30 minutes' drive from Bath attracts devotees from around the country seeking stylish bargains. Discounts range from 30 up to 90 per cent for last season's goods, samples and slightly imperfect items. Many of the signature Mulberry goods are manufactured in nearby Chilcompton, so this is truly Mulberry country. The store in a converted school house stocks handbags; small leathers; briefcases; organisers and fashion for men and women.

HOUSE AND HOME

Rossiters on Broad Street, known with affection as "the Liberty's of the West" bears some of the hallmarks of the London store with its fabulous collection of fabrics and furnishing housed in a terrace of three former merchant's houses. As a privately owned business, Rossiters sticks to style and quality, china and glass, gifts and kitchen wares on the ground floor and lighting and furnishings on the upper floors.

R K Allison has many practical as well as beautiful gifts for house and garden. Unusual stone framed mirrors and wall sconces created from French roof tiles and hand carved Italian wooden bowls would be a stunning addition to any home.

Located on Quiet Street, Kitchens stocks some 6000 items, hard to imagine where they will all fit in the kitchen of your dreams. Cookery books, kitchen scales, pots and pans, knives and jelly moulds line every nook and cranny. Helpful staff can tell you where to find anything you might need from a trussing needle to a trivet.

It may come as a surprise that visitors to Bath leave with a truck load of stone but according to Mandarin, their showroom attracts people from far and wide and they have sent shipments as far as Denmark. Bath was the first showcase for their natural stone floor and wall coverings which include slate, travertine and limestones.

GALLERIES, JEWELLERY AND ANTIQUES

Whether serious about collecting art or an enthusiastic amateur, Bath has an amazing collection of galleries, many privately owned with unique pieces. There are some 16 galleries in the city and reputedly 200 artists working in or near Bath. Beaux Arts on York Street near the Abbey, the longest established gallery in Bath, holds exhibitions throughout the year to showcase developing talent as well as holding collectable pieces by sculptors like Henry Moore and Elisabeth Frink; leading lights in the world of ceramics like Bernard Leach and Lucy Rie and up and coming painters such as Roxanna Halls.

Mauger Modern Art is a commercial gallery showing work from well known named artists (Andy Warhol, Peter Blake, Lucian Freud) and also champions emerging talent. The gallery intersperses its series of themed exhibitions with a choice selection of installations that would rarely make their way out of London. Some of the gallery artists represented include the rapidly ascending toy-sculpting Robert Bradford, the exquisite painterly art of Portuguese artist Rodrigo Costa (collected by Jose Mourhino) and NYC Brooklyn's Ginna Triplett. The infamous star of British street art Banksy and the rising star Antony Micallef are also shown regularly at the gallery.

The jewellers of Bath cater to every taste and budget. Nicholas Wylde has been working as a goldsmith in Bath for 20 years and his shop on Northumberland Place offers the largest choice of wedding rings in the city. He is happy to work on commissions and will adapt existing pieces.

Set in the picturesque location of Abbey Green, Bijoux Beads sell locally made designer jewellery and accessories including bags. The shop, with its original 18th century bow windows, also stock internationally-sourced glass beads and jewellery making equipment and run regular jewellery making classes throughout the year including workshops for special occasions such as weddings.

The Silver Shop in Union Passage has been a family run business since 1952 and is a girly haven with its silver fairies, frames, candlesticks and cufflinks, affordable jewellery and gifts. Delicate "daisy hearts and spiral" pieces are handmade in Bath and service is friendly and welcoming.

TAKE HOME TREATS
Bloomsbury is not the gift shop to find something stamped "a present from Bath" but for unusual and unique gifts this is the place. Like many Bath independents, Richard Barson scours the globe for things that are different and well designed; he is always on the look out for something new and exciting. Richard says "great shops are ones that touch a nerve; somewhere you remember and go back to. Bath is so compact, just perfect for a break to eat good food, wander around and shop and all against a perfect Georgian backdrop". TinTin calendars; Penguin mugs; Nigella cookware and retro telephones; books and cards are packed into this busy store. Upstairs weary shoppers can refuel in the Metropolitan Café which serves organic all day breakfast, wraps, homemade cakes and wholesome bowls of soup. Their jewellery shop on Quiet Street is stunning yet informal, avoiding the trap many jewellers fall into of being too intimidating. While ladies look upstairs, there are some diversions for their partners downstairs such as Paul Smith accessories, Duchamp shirts and Louis Ghost Starck chairs.
Quadri in Milsom Place is the place to find if Alessi is your passion. They also sell watches by Issy Miyake, Michel Herbelin and Pertegaz and Carol Boyes house wares. Jewelley by Jane Watling of nearby Lacock is distinctive, with designs inspired by the shapes and textures of nature. Also a good place for gadgets and gifts for men.
At the Roman Baths Shop there are plenty of books on the Romans, archaeology and the history of Bath to further your studies. Also a range of toiletries such as olive oil and orange blossom bathing salts, as well as lovely silver jewellery fashioned in the style of the Gorgon's head, maybe an ideal souvenir to take back home for the mother-in-law!

If your interest in fashion is more than skin deep, then head for the Fashion Museum shop which stocks a huge collection of books on fashion both from a historic and contemporary perspective.

BOOKS

Topping & Company Booksellers is the largest general independent bookshop to open in Britain for 40 years with a wide range of titles - large art department, children's section, and comprehensive travel and history sections. Toppings has long-standing relationship with authors and publishers and features well known authors in an events programme. With experienced & well-read booksellers and pots of freshly brewed coffee and tea this is a very civilised environment to browse and buy books.

Mr B's Emporium of reading delights is another independent book seller with attitude. Located in a light and airy Georgian house, Mr's B's is accessible and friendly, always happy to offer a recommendation and runs regular events for visiting authors.

BOYS STUFF

Great Western Wine is not just for the wine connoisseur, the enthusiastic amateur can have a ball here too! Wine lovers will relish the fabulous selection of wines (about 600) that are imported directly from independent winemakers, hand picked by MD Philip Addis and his team. Suppliers to the trade throughout the West Country, Great Western Wine is worth a small detour. There is always a selection of bottles on the tasting table with well trained and enthusiastic staff to help you select the perfect wine. Seeking a balance of quality and value, Great Western Wine pride themselves on being ahead of the trends, always open to explore new wine regions; burgeoning winemakers or grape blends that might buck convention.

Running Bath (not just for boys) has a great gadget for getting trainers just right for your feet. It analyses how you walk or run, where you put pressure on your feet and the outcome is a running shoe which gives just the right degree of support. Socks and other running paraphernalia are also stocked so you may feel compelled to jog up one of Bath's seven hills just to put the new kit into action.

Attracting capacity crowds of 10 000 for a home game in its city centre base at "the Rec", Bath Rugby is at the heart of the city. Its supporters make a B line to their own shop selling branded merchandise, rugby balls and gifts. Plan ahead if you want tickets for a home game as they sell out fast.

CRAZY FOR CATALOGUES

As the postal service was invented in Bath, it is appropriate that it is also home to the first mail order company. Founded in 1882 James Williams was the first to take advantage of the UK's parcel post service to send his company's products direct to his customers. The company has continued to prosper and today J D Williams & Co Ltd is the most successful home shopping company in the UK with over two million customers. Trading as the House of Bath, their catalogues feature fashion and homewares. The House of Bath shop can be found in Bartlett Street.

White Company is another phenomenal success story with its distinctive, high quality home wares and clothing. Visit the Bath store in Northgate Street
for your fix of beautifully packaged candles and thick fluffy towels.

Tridias, most famous for its stocking fillers and quality toys, a catalogue that many harassed parents reach for when the festive season is approaching has a store on Walcott Street that offers year round delights and is well worth a visit.

Lakeland has become the mixing bowl mecca for modern day Margaret Patterns. Perhaps most famous for its extraordinary gadgets and food containers of all shapes and sizes, it also stocks a great range of kitchen equipment, cake tins and cookie cutters, cook books and foodie gifts. In search of a tangine or pineapple slicer, then look no further than the new Lakeland store on New Bond Street.

TOYS WITHOUT TANTRUMS

Eric Snooks has been selling toys and baby equipment in Bath for 40 years. Toys are helpfully arranged by age group. The store has a good range of construction toys as well as plenty of pink pencil cases and purses, dressing up clothes and Sylvanian families and soft toys for girls. For older children there are skate boards, puzzles and scientific kits including metal detector and remote controlled helicopter.

Enkla is the kind of toy shop that parents love with high quality gifts for boys and girls with lots of wooden toys, arts and craft. Toys and games to intrigue, funky fabrics and kits to get them started in the kitchen or garden and great gadgets like night vision goggles and walkie talkies will engage the most street savvy youngster.

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Notes to Editors:
For further information or images to illustrate this information, please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: lucy_weaver@bathtourism.co.uk.

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath's destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation's top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath's official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk

For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk

Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world.

High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports. Bath Spa train station is well situated, just 5 minutes level walk into the city centre's main shopping and tourist areas. See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

Bristol International Airport is just 15 miles from Bath and operates direct flights from New York and Orlando in the USA, as well as most major European and UK airports. An express bus service to Bristol Temple Meads train station operates throughout the day, and Bath is just a 20 minute train journey from there. See: www.bristolairport.co.uk

Bath is also easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales.

There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre, offering a hassle free, cost effective way of reaching the city centre.