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The Ultimate Indulgence in Boutique Bath

Splash out on a weekend in the spa city and discover why Bath is still a great place to shop, two hundred years after it first found fame with the fashionistas of the Georgian era. For shoppers on a mission for something that is different and distinctive, Bath is the perfect destination. Many of the upmarket high street brands are represented here but what sets the city apart are the small independents which offer merchandise and service that larger cities cannot match. This applies to fashion boutiques, gift shops and galleries and all the unusual specialist shops hidden away in the back streets and alleyways.

This is a city for sheer indulgence with top hotels in historic settings such as the Royal Crescent Hotel at the centre of John Wood's architectural masterpiece; Michelin starred restaurants supplied with top West Country produce; and Britain's only natural thermal spa, are all within a couple of hours drive from London.

Drop in to Mallory, the "watchmakers to the admiralty since 1898" to pick up a serious diamond. Ask to see the five carat emerald cut diamond set in platinum (£82 000). Diamonds are selected directly from the diamond merchants in Antwerp and set by the store's own craftsman. Mallory have been in business for four generations and carry brands like Links, Bulgari, Gucci and Dunhill. With diamond shaped chocolates and champagne to toast what Mallory describe as a "dream purchase", service could not be more personal. Bath is ideal for romantic breaks and to mark a special occasion like an engagement or wedding anniversary, and the city has a great selection of both contemporary and traditional jewellers.

If you are desperately seeking a 1957 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst and have about £20 000 to spare, head for Vintage and Rare Guitars at the top of Bartlett Street. One collector makes a quarterly trip from Switzerland and customers from the music scene include Julian Cope from Teardrop Explodes, Chris Difford from the Squeeze and Ed O'Brien from Radiohead. While browsing don't forget to look at the 1930's Rickenbacker "frying pan", one of the first ever electric guitars, an invention that changed the face of popular music for ever.

Frederick Tranter in Abbey Green near the Roman Baths has been a specialist tobacconist since 1898. Superb cigars from Havana, the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua are to be found in top condition, plus over thirty types of tobacco blended on the premises and thirty flavours of snuff. A Monte Cristo "A" costs £44.84 but as the experts at Tranters will tell you, Cuban Havanas are the worth every penny.

For that bottle of Chateau Haut Brion 1975 in perfect condition, look no further than Great Western Wines. At £299, this premier grand cru classe is among their most expensive offerings. For guidance in stocking a wine cellar or investing in wine for future drinking, tap into the advice from their "Fine Wine Service". Great Western Wines carries a hand picked selection from boutique estates around the globe. Better still, the service is informed and unstuffy and they deliver reliable quality directly to your own cellar.

Top designer fashion can be found at Square. Extravagant buys might include an Ombre leather bag by Prada for £995 or a drop dead gorgeous evening gown designed by Jenny Packman with crystal decoration for £2350. Planning ahead for a Caribbean cruise then pick up some Alice Temperly Cruise Wear (turquoise jewelled caftan for £980). For accessories Liz Cox has her only shop in Bath in delightful Margaret's Buildings. Here customers are invited to select their own fabric and style to create their own bespoke bag. For Chloe and all the other big brands, head to AH Moda in stylish Milsom Place, Bath's new shopping address off Milsom Street.

John Keats said a "thing of beauty is a joy for ever" and a serious investment in art or antiques will bring pleasure for years to come. The simple but elegant lines of a Georgian linen press crafted from fine mahogany will blend with any style. Waterfall Antiques in Walcot Street have a nineteenth century gentleman's wardrobe for £3300. Something functional to take home!

Less functional but a dramatic addition to your home can be found in Beaux Arts on York Street where Anthony Scott's limited edition bronze dog, Connia, can be acquired for £15 500. Carol Peace is exhibiting distinctive figures in bronze such as "Things Inside" for £3400. The spring programme includes David Tress, Mark Johnson's abstract landscapes and Jane Wheeler ceramics.

Many rich and famous people have lived in Bath from Lord Nelson to Jane Austen; Jane Seymour to Van Morrison. If you fancy a country pad the surrounding countryside is idyllic, or a townhouse in a perfect Georgian crescent makes a great weekend retreat. Nicholas Cage invested in a Grade 1 listed house in the Circus, designed by John Wood the Elder in 1754 who might be surprised to find there is now a swimming pool in the basement. With a six storey townhouse under his belt, Mr Cage reputedly (?) recently acquired a country pad, Midford Castle, a gothic folly three miles from the centre of Bath.

For a more transitory base, hotels like the Bath Priory or Lucknam Park (six miles out of the centre set in 500 acres of parkland) have Michelin starred restaurants, spas and beautiful settings. The restaurant scene in Bath is constantly evolving with Jamie Oliver's new venture, "Jamie's Italian" arriving in Milsom Place in summer 2008, ideal for a casual Italian style lunch. A few 'Fine de Claire' oysters and a glass of champagne at FishWorks; handmade chocolates at Minerva Chocolates by the Abbey or afternoon tea in the grand and glorious Pump Room are recommended pit stops for weary shoppers. The official tourism website www.visitbath.co.uk gives full details of places to eat as well as accommodation listings and all the information needed to organise the perfect break in Bath.

Great Western trains for Bath depart from London Paddington every 30 minutes, so sit back in first class luxury or book a driver from www.chauffeurlink.co.uk as Bath is just 20 minutes south of the M4. Bristol International Airport is the nearest airport with frequent service to major cities throughout the UK and Europe and a daily service to New York, air taxis and helicopters are available to charter through www.completecharter.co.uk.