Bath markets: a visitors’ guide
One of the joys of city breaks or holidays in Bath is indulging in a little shopping. As well as many wonderful shops, Bath boasts several markets selling everything from scrumptious food and drink to vintage clothing and antiques. For visitors hoping to pick up some unusual trinkets during their Bath city break or on the hunt for something delicious, a meander around one of the Bath markets can be a great break between exploring the city’s more famous tourist sites.
All the Bath markets are within easy walking distance of Panda Sanctuaries’ stunning Bath holiday rentals which provide the perfect base from which to explore the city. Get in touch or head to our special offers page to find out about any deals and discounts you can benefit from when booking Bath self catering accommodation direct with Panda Sanctuaries.
Our quick visitors’ guide to the Bath markets:
Green Park Station
This former Victorian train station with its impressive vaulted curved glass roof is now used for a range of Bath markets throughout the week. With a handful of permanent stalls, visitors can drop in daily from 9am to around 4pm to pick up some organic groceries, flowers, street food, artisan wine and more. But it is at the weekends that Green Park really comes to life with the following:
Bath Farmers Market
Open every Saturday from 9am to 1.30pm, the Bath Farmers Market is perfect for picking up some top quality local fare to be enjoyed throughout the weekend. You will find organic meats, fish, artisan cheeses, seasonal veg, sourdough breads, handmade pies, preserves, honey, olives and much more, all sold directly by the local producers.
Bath Vintage and Antiques Market
Taking place on the last Sunday of every month, Bath Vintage and Antiques Market is a real treat for any antique enthusiasts with a wonderfully eclectic range of traders selling furniture, fashion, jewellery, homeware, artwork, framing, carpentry and more. You will find one-off collectables and retro items that will bring a smile to the face. Open 8am to 4pm.
Bath Flea Market
On the first Sunday of every month Green Park Station is transformed into an Aladdin’s cave of curiosities when the Bath Flea Market takes over. It is great fun exploring the markets’ a weird and wonderful collection of art, antiques, toys, memorabilia and bric-a-brac. Open 8am to 4pm.
Bath Guildhall Market
This historic covered market is the Bath’s oldest shopping venue, having traded on this same site for 800 years. You will find more than a dozen permanent traders selling foodie treats, artisan cheeses, hams, breads and cakes, alongside jewellery, fashion accessories, haberdashery and practical household items. One relic of the Bath Guildhall Market’s past is the Nail, a table surviving from the 18th century on which market deals were agreed, giving rise to the expression, ‘Pay on the nail.’ Open 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.
Saturday Antiques and Flea Market
A feature of Walcot Street for more than 40 years, this market sees a motley crew of traders congregate every Saturday to sell their assorted wares from retro furniture and vintage clothing to antiques collectibles and vinyl. Fun to meander around while exploring Bath’s ‘artisan quarter’, as Walcot Street has been labelled.
Bath Artisan market
Taking place on the first Saturday of the month in Bath’s lovely Queen Square, this outdoor market showcases a mouth-watering selection of local foodie treats as well as craft stalls offering ceramics, art and jewellery. The organisers also run Bath Brunch Market at Green Park Station on the second Sunday of every month.
Happy shopping!