Shopping in Bath: A visitors’ guide
Shopping in Bath is great fun, both for visitors and locals as the city offers a wonderful range of retail opportunities from markets, independent boutiques and craft shops to all the most popular high street brands. The city has several distinct areas suited to different tastes or wishes so we have put together this guide to shopping in Bath to help ensure successful retail therapy for all.
All the city’s most tempting stores and markets are within easy walking distance of our self catering holiday homes in Bath so you don’t need to worry about struggling home for miles weighed down with shopping bags. Treat yourself!
Shopping for upmarket fashion: Milsom Street
Forming one of the Bath’s main city centre thoroughfares Milsom Street and the streets that run from it such as New Bond Street and Burton Street are home to an array of upmarket high street shops such as LK Bennett, Anthropologie, Ted Baker, Reiss and more. Tempting cosmetics and fragrance brands such as Jo Malone and Keihls sit alongside them making this a perfect area for those wanting to give their wardrobe or washbag a dash of pizazz with some elegant and spoiling purchases.
Shopping for major high street brands: SouthGate
Unveiled in 2009 after a major redevelopment, SouthGate shopping centre now boasts more than 50 stores including major high street names such as H&M, Top Shop, Urban Outfitters, Superdry and many more. You’ll also find staples such as Boots and M&S nearby. It is a perfect place for those wardrobe basics we all need and for teenagers whose style changes with each new season.
Shopping for food: Bath’s markets
Running every Saturday from 9am to 1.30pm under the vaulted glass roof of Bath’s beautiful Green Park Station, the Bath Farmers Market is perfect for picking up some top quality local fare direct from the producers. You will find organic meats, fish, artisan cheeses, seasonal veg, sourdough breads, handmade pies, preserves, honey, olives and much more.
Alternatively, if you prefer to be al fresco, Bath Artisan market takes place on the first Saturday of the month in the lovely Queen Square, and showcases a mouth-watering selection of foodie treats as well as craft stalls.
For cheese and charcuterie fans, it is worth a detour to The Fine Cheese Company Bath or Paxton & Whitfield whose shelves and counters display an extensive array of mouthwatering cheeses, cured meats, olives and more. For wine, head to Beckford Bottle Shop which provides a carefully curated selection of wines from all over the world or independent wine merchants Great Western Wine.
Shopping for interiors: Walcot Street
Known as Bath’s artisan quarter, Walcot Street is home to a range of colourful independent crafts and interiors shops selling beautiful furniture, kitchenware, lighting, artwork, mirrors and much more. There are also some great vintage clothing stores thrown in for good measure. This is a wonderful place to deck out your home – and yourself – with some stylish and unusual items.
Shopping for antiques: Bartlett Street and the top of town
In the area between George Street and the Royal Crescent there is a cluster of antique stores, selling furniture, ceramics, glassware, old maps, prints and everything in between. For a more rough and tumble selection of furniture, fashion and everything in between, the Bath Vintage and Antiques Market takes place at Green Park Station on the last Sunday of every month and the Saturday Antiques and Flea Market takes place each week on Walcot Street.
Department stores: Jolly’s and Rossiters of Bath
Found on Broad Street, Rossiters of Bath is an award-winning independent department store set over four floors of a classic Georgian building, with a focus on furniture, homeware, gifts and fashion. The store aims to showcase upcoming British designers and makers among its selection.
Jolly’s, on Milsom Street, is a Bath institution. Now owned by House of Fraser, but still determinedly referred to by its old name which remains on the historic shopfront, this elegant store offers everything from beauty and fashion to homewares. Jolly’s boasts big name brands such as MAC, Channel and Estée Lauder making it one of the best spots for shopping in Bath.
