As Bath's retailers begin to reopen, we're shining a light on some of the city's wonderful independent shops. In our second Independently Bath blog post, we're focusing on interiors, books and gifts...

Image - My Small World Toy Store

For the Little Ones

Just a few steps from Bath Spa Train Station, you'll find the award-winning children’s toy shop, My Small World Toy Store. Dedicated to finding unique and amazing toys and books, the owners source brands that are beautiful, educational and often out-of-the-ordinary, including Djeco, Moulin Roty, Meri Meri, Ridley’s, Moluk and Tender Leaf Toys. Design-led local favourite Rossiters of Bath on Broad Street also has a wonderful retro children’s collection.

Interior Inspiration

As well as toys, Rossiters of Bath is a treasure trove of gifts, homeware and furniture from British brands and designers set across four floors. Book an appointment to view the specialist collection of furniture – the owners’ passion for design means that only the most beautiful and interesting styles, patterns and fabrics are selected for the store.

Image - Rossiters of Bath

The London Road and Walcot areas have been affectionately known as Bath’s Artisan Quarter since the 1960s. The Bath Aqua Glass shop sells is own hand-blown jewellery, stained glass pieces, paperweights and baubles – you can also catch the craftspeople blowing glass and creating bespoke pieces in the workshop.

Designer weaver Katherine Fraser on Walcot Street creates handwoven textiles for fashion and interiors, providing high-quality one-off products using traditional weaving looms. Katherine sources all her yarns from UK mills and uses only the best natural fibres including fine silks, super soft cashmere and merino lambswool to make products such as cushions, throws, scarves and knitted gifts.

Also on Walcot Street, you will find stylish family-run interior and homeware store Graham & Green with its’ vintage-inspired finds and statement pieces, Meticulous Ink, a letterpress print and stationary shop offering bespoke stationary, business cards and wedding invitations, as well as calligraphy supplies, Always Sunday House, a carefully curated unique emporium of gifts, trinkets, crockery and art, and Salcombe Trading, with an exceptional range of Scandinavian and British designed products for the house and garden.

On Milsom Street you'll find India Jane, the place to go for classic and timeless furniture and gorgeous home accessories. Family-run and founded in 1992, their store is Grade II listed with an impressive atrium and original curved glass and brass-trimmed windows, worth a visit to appreciate the historic architecture and to pick up some new pieces to refresh your home.

For Book-Lovers

Specialist magazine retailer Magalleria, just down the hill on Broad Street, boasts one of the largest collections of independent titles including new releases and back issues sourced from around the world, covering culture, art, entertainment, photography and fashion and beauty with a number of titles exclusive to Magalleria.

Mr B's Emporium is a beautifully innovative bookshop on Johns Street in the heart of Bath. Encounter unusual books displays, such as the claw-foot bath over-flowing with books and receive an exceptionally personal service when you explore the labyrinth-like shop, named twice as the UK’s best independent bookshop.

Get Arty

Bath’s longest-established and most renowned contemporary art gallery, Beaux Arts Bath next to Bath Abbey, specialises in the work of major twentieth-century painters, sculptors and studio ceramicists, and is the sister gallery to Beaux Arts in London.

Image - Julia Davey

In Wellsway you will find independent store Julia Davey – worth a visit for beautiful hand-illustrated ceramics, gifts, contemporary homewares and fabulous window displays.

Waller&Wood is home to Bath artists Carole Waller and Gary Wood who specialise in contemporary glass, textiles and ceramics for interior and outdoor settings. Their work often reflects the rich texture and history of the city.

Find out more about shopping in Bath.