Bath - Christmas capital of the west
Imagine a picture perfect place for Christmas shopping with great shops in an historic setting. Bath is that place with its successful Christmas Market, twinkling lights and a high percentage of independent shops (almost 50 percent). Exquisite Georgian architecture provides a delightful backdrop and festive entertainment plus traditional “panto” at the Theatre Royal contributes to the festive atmosphere.
The Christmas Market this year will run from 26th November to 6th December and ranks as the largest outdoor festive market in the region. 123 wooden chalets set round Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths sell unusual gifts, decorations and crafts. Mulled wine and mince pies and Christmas carols in frosty air complete the festive scene. The city has invited one of its most famous residents, film star Nicolas Cage, to switch on the brand new Christmas lights on the 26th November.
Bath is up to the challenge of supplying gifts for even the most unreasonable relative or fussy friend. Independent gift shops like Bloomsbury show flair for buying gifts that are both unusual and appealing. Personal and friendly service makes all the difference and advice is given readily and with enthusiasm. Bath is renowned for its fashion boutiques so find vintage glamour in Sassy and Boo, fabulous fripperies in Mee and gorgeous scarves and Marion Foale hand knits in Image.
Often described as the golden city after the honey coloured Bath stone, many of the shops windows are also glinting in the winter sunshine with gorgeous jewellery and watches. At Milsom Place, Quadri sell pieces by local designer Jane Watling and other recommended jewelers include Judy Cory and Nicholas Wylde as well as Mallory’s for seriously large and sparkly presents and swanky Rolex watches.
Step away from mass produced branded Christmas toys and find solid wooden toys at My Small World in the Podium. Enkla on Broad Street stocks imaginative and different toys and Eric Snooks, Bath’s oldest toy shop, arranges toys by age group which can be very helpful to those uninitiated in the art of gift buying for children.
My Small World are busy wrapping up some very special gifts to get to the North Pole in time for Santa to handout from his traditional grotto at the Podium escorted by two very personable elves with a little assistance from the city’s famous Natural Theatre Company.
Bath is proud to have its very own handbag designer, Liz Cox who has a shop in Margaret’s Buildings selling her trademark chenille and leather bags. Find a clutch of designer bags at Square and Longchamp, Cartier and Bulgari bags at Mallory’s or Gerard Darel and Max Mara at Image and Ora Keilly at Prey.
With the opening of the first phase of the new SouthGate shopping area on November 4th, Bath gains a two storey flagship Boots store among others, featuring a perfume hall with brands like Dior, Chanel and Benefit. For perfumed parcels and skincare from Santa visit Neal’s Yard Remedies, Space NK Apothecary, Molton Brown, L’Occitaine or Jolly’s, the oldest department store in the country. Independent boutique, Mee is selling sex appeal in a bottle with the new revolutionary fragrance Escentric Molecules containing the aroma chemical ISO E Super in unprecedented concentration. This formula creates a pheromone effect allegedly attractive to the opposite sex.
The country’s first Farmers’ Market was founded in Bath and the city is packed with festive fare. In Green Street find 36 varieties of bespoke bangers at the Bath Sausage Company and partridges (minus pear tree) and other game at traditional butchers, Bartlett and Sons. The West Country is famed for its cheese so check out the Fine Cheese Company with no less than 150 types of English cheese or reserve a stilton from Paxton and Whitfield to complement the finest port from Great Western Wine, who can help stock your cellar for the festivities. The city has more than its share of chocolatiers so look for edible gifts at Leonidas or the House of Minerva near the Abbey.
Take some time out to pick up a glamorous outfit for the office party or New Year celebrations. Milsom Place welcomes newcomer Traffic People with their floaty feminine style as well as Hobbs and Phase Eight with some stylish frocks for special occasions. Bath has no shortage of top brands such as Ted Baker; L.K. Bennett and Reiss so the fashion conscious can find the feel good factor as well and ticking off their Christmas shopping list.
To sing some carols and immerse yourself in the real meaning of Christmas, duck into the Abbey for Shoppers Carols which take 20 minutes and are scheduled on Saturdays from 8th November until 12th December.
Gift shopping in Bath is so much less tiring than under the artificial lights of a faceless shopping mall. Such a compact city puts a great range of shops within easy reach, ranging from quirky independents to top name high street brands, all within easy walking distance. With delightful cafés and restaurants on every corner, essential coffee and lunch breaks are a pleasure in themselves.
See visitbath.co.uk to plan your visit and download the new travel guide.