With the Christmas Market, the independent and high street shops, plus the indoor markets, you’re never short of choice for a present from Bath. We’ve chosen a few of our favourite gifts that if you’re visiting Bath you really should pick up as perfect present.
1) Bath Gin
– Created just two years ago by three local bar owners, this bright, citrusy and fresh Gin can be bought from a number of outlets in the city, as well as sampled in the city’s very own Gin Bar, Canary Gin Bar. It’s a blend of 10 botanicals and has a cheeky looking Jane Austen as its logo.
2) Bath Rugby Replica Kit and Merchandise
– Rugby is the sport of this city, and if you want to watch a game in the heart of the city, then simply pop into the nearby Pulteney Street shop to get properly kitted out. Take home a scarf, shirt or ball with you as a souvenir of a great day out and a great team.
3) Bath Buns
We’re going to include both the Bath Bun and Sally Lunn bun in this list. Both are quintessentially Bath specific food items that you can only find in the city. A Bath Bun is a sweet doughy bun with a lump of sugar in the base, plus nibs of sugar and fruit scattered on top. The Sally Lunn Bun is produced only at the Museum and Kitchen in North Parade Passage and these large brioche style buns can be enjoyed with a savoury or sweet topping.
You can purchase a Bath Bun at either The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe in Abbey Green or The Guildhall Deli at The Guildhall Market.
4) Bath Aqua Glass
A beautiful blue shade of glass that is made in the heart of the artisan district of Bath, along Walcot Street. You can not only tour around the glassworks but also blow your own bauble too. The glass is made into goblets, coasters, decorations and jewellery so you’ll be able to find something to take home as a gift to the people you love.
5) Bath Beer
There are now 3 city based breweries, and another Bath named establishment, which keep Bathonians’ thirst at bay. The oldest brewery in Bath is Abbey Ales who until recently were the only city based brewery, but along came St James Street Brewery and Electric Bear Brewing Co in quick succession who are whipping up a storm on the ale front. Finally there is Bath Ales. Alas not brewed in the city itself, but you’ll often find Gem or Barnsey on in a city centre bar or sold in a local off-licence, such as Independent Spirit of Bath.
6) Spa Waters
You can still drink the Spa Waters of Bath if you pay a visit to the Pump Room. For 50 pence you can sample a generous glass-fall of this warm slightly sulphurous liquid, that two hundred years ago would have been enjoyed by the pint! If you’d like to take some of this water home as a present, rather than to drink, then the Tourist Information Centre and Roman Baths Museum Shop sells pretty glass jars with the waters within (warning – this water is NOT for drinking).
If instead you’d rather sample the waters through a much more pleasant means, then head to the Thermae Bath Spa where you can relax into the warming mineral waters and feel those aches and pains melt away. The aromatherapy oil scented saunas and rooftop pool are not to be missed either.
7) Cheese and Biscuits
The Bath Soft Cheese Company are a multiple award winning business that produces organic cheese on a farm in the surrounding local countryside. Their Bath Blue took the 2014 World Cheese Championship title. They also produce the deliciously creamy Bath Soft and Kelston Park cheeses plus the semi-hard nutty tasting Wyfe of Bath cheese. Pick up a truckle or two at the Bath Farmer’s Market, every Saturday at Green Park Station, or at Paxton and Whitfield or The Fine Cheese Company shops in the city.
What better item to accompany a local cheese is that of a local biscuit – the Bath Oliver! No longer manufactured in the city, the recipe is still the original one created by Dr William Oliver in 1750. They were first produced by Dr Oliver to help with patients taking the water and trying to lose weight. Today they are a delicacy to be enjoyed accompanying cheese. Often to be found through online supermarket websites, you can also pick these biscuits up at Waitrose in the city centre. Look out for the Chocolate Olivers that are produced usually only around Christmas-time.
8. Fashion
There are a number of highly talented designers in Bath. It’s difficult to pick out a few to recommend you purchase gifts from. This isn’t an all inclusive list of great businesses of Bath to buy a present from, so do seek out your own designers and email us to let us know.
There’s Only One Amy Laws is a one woman business who produces gorgeous hand-printed designs on hand sewn dresses, skirts and tops for both women and children. Evocative of 1950’s silhouettes and the bold prints of the era Amy’s looks are a more up to date twist on the classics. She has an online shop plus can be often found at the local Bath Artisan Market and Frome Market. See a previous post all about how she creates her pieces.
Not only is Bath home to international shoe designer and guru Manolo Blahnik, but there are other Bath based shoe designers in the city too. In Milsom Place you can pick up a pair of beautifully designed shoes by Chantal Pilon at her shop Channii B, or you can order some hand crafted footwear from family run St Crispian Shoes.
To accompany any outfit, whether a work suit or evening dress, you need a bag, and Bath based Liz Cox can do just that. You can either visit her shop in Margaret Buildings near the Royal Crescent, or the website, where you will find bags for both men and women.
Hopefully we have whet your appetite for a shopping trip to Bath and a visit to some of the wonderfully talented producers and designers we have in the city.
To book a shopping stay in Bath, simply call us on 01225 463134 or book online. You can also enjoy sampling the Spa water on one of our Spa Package Breaks. From only £159 per person for 2 nights Bed and Breakfast, a Champagne Cream Tea and 2 or 3 hour visit to the Thermae Bath Spa, it sounds like the perfect treat after a spot of retail therapy in the city!