Looking for a great way to say thank you to Mum? Look no further than the best gift shops central Bath has to boast. Prepare for instant success – you won’t be leaving empty handed.
Rossiters (38 – 41 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LP, Tel.01225 462227, www.rossitersofbath.com)
If you’re restricted to visiting just one shop, it should be this one. Near the Podium, Rossiters offers a huge and unique selection of quality travel accessories, toiletries, jewellery and stationary – and that’s just in the gift department. Look in the home and kitchenware departments for a ‘Yummy Mummy’ porcelain mug (£9.50) or decorative hanging wooden plaques with humorous one-liners (£7.25). If not, you really can’t go wrong with one of the ornate hanging hearts, ranging from 99p – £13. You’ll be back here for her birthday.
CoralQuay (CoralQuay Fairtrade Ltd, 8/9 New Bond Street Place, Bath, BA1 1BH, Tel.01225 446362, www.coralquay.co.uk)
There’s something fulfilling about knowing that your gift is ethically traded to benefit its maker. Here you’ll find arguably the best fair trade and ethnic gift range in Bath, with a vibrant range of quality African, Asian and Latin American crafts, and currently 20% off silver jewellery. Pick up a Love knot carved from a single piece of smooth soapstone for £8.95, or a beautiful Kikoi for Mum to wear sarong-style on holiday or as a scarf (£18.95), made from Kenyan light cotton. Or catch her eye with recycled Latin metal art: a stunning colourful lizard for £5 or set of 3 angel fish, £14. Situated on a charming alley-way just off New Bond Street, there is plenty here that’s truly unique.
Cologne & Cotton (1 New Bond Street Place, Bath, BA1 1BH, Tel. 01225 312943, www.cologneandcotton.com)
On the same alley-way as CoralQuay, Cologne and Cotton provides charming, timeless luxury for the home. Let Mum feel pampered during her rest with some of their quality pure cotton bed linens; or select from some beautiful blankets, bedspreads and quilts. Alternatively, a choice from the Coudray range of scents, body lotions and creams will make her feel queenly, pricing at £22 to £63. As if the products weren’t lovely enough, your treat can also be gift wrapped. For indulging Mum in classy character and lasting style, Cologne & Cotton is the perfect choice.
Pink Lemons Too (3, Lower Church St, Bath, Avon BA1 1NL, Tel.01225 424 310)
Near the Abbey and facing a big tree, Pretty boutique Pink Lemons is delightfully girly and chock-full with little pleasures. Here before you is a great selection of clothing, handbags, scarves, home ware and décor. Treat her to a quirky notebook decorated with fabric, lace and ribbon, currently on sale, reduced from £12 to £8. Enable her to share your kindness with a friend with the In The Woods tea set for two (£18), or she can reminisce with a triple heart hanging wooden photo frame in grey or white for £9.50, with single frames ranging from £5 to £7. …Although, she’ll probably just be distracted by the gorgeous frame.
Gillards of Bath (The Guildhall Market, High St, Bath, Tel.01225 311888, www.gillards.co.uk)
In the centre of the Guildhall Market you will find this treasure-trove offering an excellent standard of tea and coffee from around the world and accessories. Help Mum relax with some of Gillards’ popular special blends of teas and coffees, starting at £2.75. Alternatively, give her a charmingly illustrated softwood chest of 25 Speciality Tea Bags (£2.99). If she already has enough tea, Gillards offers a fantastic selection of mugs, teapot and teacup sets and cosies that are certain to please; delight her with a patchwork owl or hedgehog teapot cosy for £13.99.
Dream of Olwen (Barrows 1, 2 & 3 Guildhall Market, Bath BA2 4AW, www.bathguildhallmarket.co.uk/dream-of-olwen)
A bountiful stall situated in the entrance hall to the Guildhall market, it would be a mistake to bypass Dream of Olwen. A beautiful pashmina, cashmere scarf, or handmade cushion would delight any mother. Choose from a cute owl, cat or hedgehog cushion at £13 each; scarves come at £8 or £13 for two. Or, for something truly exceptional, thrill her with a gorgeous woollen shawl, which the proprietor travels to Kashmir each year to find. Your gift from Dream of Olwen won’t soon be forgotten.
Vinegar Hill (16 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DE, Tel.01225 339498, www.vinegarhill.co.uk)
If you’re looking for something oriented specifically towards Mothers’ Day, be on your way up Milsom Street here. You’ll find a wonderful small range of stationary and books, such as the illustrated My Mother Used To Say by Valerie Bowe and I Love You Mum and All the Things You Do by Susan Akass. They’ll say everything that you mean. Anything from Vinegar Hill is sure to put a smile on her face, but how about putting a sweet smell in her nose with one of the new range of Yankee candles, such as the floral Pink Lady Slipper or Beach Flowers candle? For a little enchantment, get one of colourful the birds or butterflies hanging decorations made from thick handmade paper for £3.50.
White Living (6 Quiet Street, Bath, BA1 2JS, Tel. 01225 335068, www.vintageliving.co.uk)
If she’s interested in vintage, French style and shabby chic, this is the place to visit. Some of the stylish offerings from White Living include gold plated necklaces and silver, handmade locally; antiquated mugs starting at £4.99, with ornate porcelain teapot and cup sets at £13.99. You can also find ceramic and wooden picture frames from around £10 and other joyful bits and pieces for the home. White Living also provides exquisite larger furniture if you were going for extravagance.
Octopus (5 Old Bond Street, Bath, BA1 1BW, Tel. 01225 462 372, www.octopusshop.com)
For the more colourful and eccentric personality, there is Octopus. There’s not a dull object in sight in the store’s collection of household and beauty products with a funky twist. Surprise Mum with a fun moving solar flower, £5, or one of their popular doll-like cheese graters (large £16, small £12.50). For extra culinary excitement go for one of the Quelle Salade salad servers with a dancing, diving or even Brazilian couple as the spoon and fork handles (£22). You’re not likely to leave without buying something for someone – it’s just too much fun!
Bloomsbury (15 New Bond Street, Bath BA1 1BA, Tel. 01225 461049, www.bloomsburystore.com)
Bloomsbury masterfully mixes classic and contemporary with practicality and imagination. Be sentimental with one of the Dogeard handcrafted Make a Wish pins, £14.95, for attaching to her jacket, shoes or anywhere. For a tired mum take a look at their selection of Cow Shed toiletries: Knackered Cow body lotion (18) or body oil (£20) will do the job, besides bringing a giggle at the witty label information. Alternatively, browse their Burt’s Bees range and gift sets for some beauty bliss.
Our thanks to Elaine Tregaskis for this article.
