We hope you enjoyed reading the first part of our Blog piece about alternate festive shopping in Bath during and after the Christmas Market. Now, here’s Part Two for you all; so put up your feet, have a munch on a mince pie and start planning your trip to The Royal and shopping in Bath!
Food & Drink Gifts
Bath has a plethora of great places to not only sit and enjoy lovely local food, but also to take-away. Again, we can’t name them all, but here are a few to whet the appetites, perfect to pick up a gift from; and you may find more on your stroll around.
* Charlotte Brunswick – Handmade chocolates in the heart of Bath. Having worked with an historian to create these yummy products around local stories, your box of goodies includes cards with the history written on them. Enjoy the experience of selecting your own tempting carton of treats from the piles of milk, white and dark delights piled up around you in this lovely shop. [3 Church Street, Abbey Green]
* Independent Spirit of Bath – The two witty chaps who run this great off licence offer more than just your average bottle of plonk and can of low grade lager. You come to Independent Spirit for expert advice on spirits, whiskies, fine wines, champagnes and a fantastic selection of world and craft beers. With tasting evenings ever popular, and the guys happy to try and source customers requests, shopping for alcohol got a whole lot more pleasurable! Found opposite the Parade Gardens and Bog Island. [7, Terrace Walk]
* Gillards of Bath – Established in 1886, this lovely stall inside the Guildhall Market, is the place to go for your tea and coffee requirements. Still blending teas and roasting coffee beans for the aficionados delight, you can also pick up a infuser or grinder as well. [Guildhall Market]
* The Fine Cheese Company – Established in Bath for twenty years this mecca for cheese lovers is one to delight all the senses! Specialising in British cheeses, there are also artisan cheeses sourced from Europe; plus a wide range of biscuits, jellies, jams and other accoutrements all to add to your cheeseboard. Planning a wedding? Then try a cheese wedding cake as something a bit different! Next door there is also a popular cafe where they sell sandwiches, salads, quiches and cakes to eat in or take away. [29 & 31 Walcot Street]
* San Francisco Fudge – For all you sweet toothed fudge lovers out there you will love this great shop near the Abbey Courtyard. All handmade in Bath, the owner is an American lady who ran a fudge stall in San Francisco, but since opening her shop here in Bath in 1995, her fudge is enjoyed by people from all around the world, and shipped around it too! Children’s parties and wedding favours are catered for, and what’s best of all is there are no artificial ingredients. Most of the fudge is also suitable for vegetarians and those with gluten intolerances (always check beforehand). [6 Church Street]
Sport Lovers
After indulging in all that lovely food and drink, New Year is usually when new intentions are started and the trainers are donned; however there are plenty of you out there who enjoy sport (both watching and partaking) all year round. Bath is the home not only to Bath Rugby and Bath City FC but also has it’s own Racecourse out at Lansdown and a West of England Premier League Cricket Team. There are lots of local sporting groups throughout the city, plus we’re lucky enough to host and train many of the past, present and future Olympic and Paralympic athletes who train as part of Team Bath at the University of Bath. You can find Bath Rugby’s Official shop just along Pultney Street opposite the entrance steps down to The Rec. Here’s a couple more independent shops that may be able to cater for the sporting types whom you have to buy a gift for this Christmas.
* Running Bath – Don’t be too surprised on your walk around Bath if you’ll suddenly see a suited office worker pound up and down The Corridor shopping arcade in Bath with a pair of bright trainers on their feet being watched closely by one of the team at this expert running shop, for this is all part of the service here at these trainer specialists. They make sure that the footwear you choose isn’t based on the name, but on the suitability for your shape of foot and running gait. Great for the first time runner or the ironman triathlete. Sell accessories and clothing too. [ 19 High Street]
* John’s Bikes – Bath’s oldest bike shop, John’s Bikes has been a well loved shop on Walcot Street for 36 years. Offering expert advice and tips as well as servicing and repairs, it’s a great place to go to catch up on the latest cycling news and events in and around Bath too. Of course they sell bicycles here too and they’ve got all makes and models for all budgets, from commuting to competing, from children to adults. [82-84 Walcot Street]
Unique Gifts
* Vintage & Rare Guitars – Established in 1982, this fantastic shop is hidden down the cobbled streets of Queen Street. Selling investment pieces to gigging guitars these guys know their Fender’s from their Gibson’s. Amps and other accessories sold too; plus they also buy Guitars if you dare part with your old one. With 20 different brands from the past 60 years this is Guitar heaven and what makes it even more special is you can “try before you buy”; often the sound of a potential rock god can be heard echoing around the streets. Bliss for the budding Hendrix in your life. [11 Queen Street]
* Frederick Tranter – Now known under the “Havana House” brand name, this tobacconist and cigar specialist has been established in Bath since 1898. Although smoking is no longer as accepted as it once was, for those of you who still enjoy, this little shop is a blast from the past. You can purchase cigars, blended tobacco, pipes and other smoking paraphernalia in here; plus 30 flavours of snuff, and shaving accessories.[5 Church Street, Abbey Green]
* Ora et Labora – This shop lies within what were once Bath Abbey’s Cloisters and sells unique gifts made by monastic communities from around the world. From Trappist beers, cheese and leather goods to toiletries, scarfs and ceramics you’ll be surprised and delighted by the artisan products that monasteries are still producing today. The shop also sells the unique Bath Medieval Pudding, based on an original recipe found in Bath Archives dating to 1430. You can taste more of history here with regular sampling evenings and dinners, plus there is a small museum downstairs. [3 Church Street, Abbey Green]
* Bath Stamp & Coin Shop – This little shop does exactly what it says in its name and has done so since 1958 in Bath. This family run business not only buys and sells coins and stamps but also military medals; plus free valuations are available when the shop isn’t too busy. A philatelists paradise, it brings back childhood memories for many, and continues to delight every age. [12 Pultney Bridge]