Bath and Bristol are the major shopping centres for the region and in both cities you will find a broad spectrum of shopping facilities from the High Street multiples to exclusive specialist shops. 

Bath claims to have more and better shops than a city ten times its size and its full range of shopping options does provide something of a shopper’s paradise.  The city has had a reputation for luxury shopping since at least the 1780s and some 700 shops continue the tradition today.  The main shopping avenues of Milsom Street, Union Street, Stall Street and Southgate form a corridor cutting through the city centre.  Along and just off this main thoroughfare you will find big name stores and shops plus banks, bookshops and fashion outlets.  The network of narrow, flowery passageways north of the Abbey churchyard is a particular favourite with shoppers and although individual style shops are typical here, Bath also has small shopping malls – the Podium overlooking the river at Northgate Street; Southgate Shopping Centre; Shire’s Yard, a covered cobbled courtyard of little shops off Milsom Street; Seven Dials, located next to the theatre and containing quality shops and restaurants; and Green Park Station, a restored mid-19th century building housing a variety of shops and craft stalls.  The central covered area is used for various events including markets, concerts and exhibitions.

In general, the lower end of Milsom Street, Bond Street, Broad Street and Union Street and their narrow alleyways bring together most of the city’s fashion shops.  Antiques are chiefly located at the northern end of the city near to the Assembly Rooms area where you will also find the Bartlett Street indoor antiques centre which has helped to  make Bath a notable West Country focus for antiques and collectables.  Bath also has a lively covered market with an eccentric collection of wares.  In 1997 Bath held the first ever Farmer’s Market, this still operates on Saturdays and is held in Green Park Station.  The chain stores are mainly located in the Stall Street and Southgate areas, while Jolly’s, the city’s largest store, is in Milsom Street.  Out of town factory outlets include The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, where around 130 top name stores are located in a two level centre.