Speciality Shops

Bath

Animal 14-16 The Corridor. Tel: (01225) 448934 See Fashion.

Bartlett St Antiques Market 5-10 Bartlett St. Tel: (01225) 446322 & (01225) 310457 Why don't you invest that loan in beautiful and unusual antiques? Or just have a nice look around.

Bath Farmers' Market Green Park Station. Tel: (01225) 310418 Much better to buy your edibles here than pour your hard-borrowed into some multi-national. The food is divine, the stall-owners friendly and knowledgeable and, overall, it's fresh, organic and locally-sourced. Runs every Saturday until 2pm with the TASTE market a newcomer on Sundays from 10am - 4pm.

Bath Flea Market Walcot St. Tel: (01225) 317154 Stalls each Saturday selling a range of secondhand clothing, furniture and ornaments. It's none of your rubbish, mind; you can pick up a real ¾bargain or two here.

Bijoux Beads 2 Abbey Street, off Abbey Green. Tel: (01225) 482024 Web: www.bijouxbeads.co.uk Treasure trove of shiny stuff for making your own adornments with plenty of advice and classes too if wanted - great for prezzies and getting to know the new housemates over a stitch and bitch session.

Culpeper 28 Milsom St. Tel: (01225) 425875 Aromatherapist and herbalist selling natural and beneficial herbal products for bath, body and home. Aromatherapy and essential oils, natural and organic food and drinks, medicinal herbs and tinctures, plus related accessories, gifts and books.

Detour Skate 20 Broad St. Tel: (01225) 471998 See Fashion.

Eureka Trading 9 The High St. Tel: (01225) 462259 Cute little shop packed with ethnic knick-knacks, hippy clothes, bedspreads, mobiles, wood carvings, jewellery and suchlike. Count Þries of origin include Thailand, Bali and India, which latter supplies the body jewellery.

Frederick Tranters 5 Church St, Abbey Green. Tel: (01225) 466197 This is one of those old-fashioned, traditional tobacconists where, instead of plumping for 20 Marlboro Lights, you can bag yourself hand-blended tobacco, cigars from around the world, pipes, lighters and, even, hip-flasks and tankards. Not that you should be partaking in such disgusting habits, mind.

Funtastic 22-25 Guildhall Market. Tel: (01225) 460808 It's called Funtastic and the emphasis is placed firmly on the fun, crazy kids. Get all your 'novelty' items, such as jokes (nail through finger, fake cigarettes, whoopee cushions, dog poo - ouch, my aching sides), gadgets (designer lighters, portable games, keyrings, wine stoppers...) and magic tricks or bag yourself some fancy dress items complete with theatrical make-up and face paints. Bored? Book yourself a pa ®rty entertainer. Plus there's 10% off for students.

Green Park Market Green Park Station. Tel: (01225) 310418 Stalls most days but predominantly on Saturdays selling crafts, clothes, pottery, books, records and gourmet food.

Guildhall Market Guildhall. Tel: (01225) 477000 Generic indoor market comprising florist, coffee roaster, jeweller, haberdashery, hardware and pet supplies, secondhand books, sweets, deli, barbers, Indian goods, tea stall, costume shop and more.

Just Add Water 5-6 The Corridor. Tel: (01225) 425644 See Fashion.

London Camera Exchange 13 Cheap St. Tel: (01225) 462234 Photography equipment, accessories, second-hand items and insurance quotes. Also, binoculars, telescopes and digital imaging. Will buy quality equipment.

On The Video Front 7 Terrace Walk Tel: (01225) 462033Web: www.onthevide 2ofront.co.ukInspiring range of titles to suit film buffs and more mainstream tastes alike - particularly strong on arthouse and classic movies plus family classics, TV period adaptations(saves reading the set texts) and kids animations. Still plenty of VHS titles, but new films mainly on DVD.

Oxfam 12 Argyle St. Tel: (01225) 466798 & 12a George St. Tel: (01225) 464838 & 4-5 Lower Borough Walls. Tel: (01225) 469776 Ubiquitous charity shop filled with cast-offs from the local cognoscenti and wealthy (so there 2 are rich pickings here). Find clothes, books and bric-a-brac plus Fair Trade handicrafts, coffee and foods. Music sold in Lower Borough Walls.

Pink Lemons 3 Lower Church Street, Bath. Tel: not known yet New store opening early October. See Bristol listing.

Route One 9 Broad St. Tel: (01225) 446710 See Fashion.

Seven Generations Green Park Station, James Street West Tel : (0845)3303934 Web: www.sevengenerations.co.uk Useful outlet for shoppers who prefer to know exactly ç what is in the products that they use to clean and decorate their homes- natural own-brand cleaners, Burts Bees beauty products, eco-friendly paints and floorwaxes plus an inspirational range of eco books and magazines. The emphasis is firmly on fair trade and locally sourced stuff plus good advice. Fair trade drinks and seating too.

Bristol

50:50 16 Park Row. Tel: (0117) 914 7783 Skate-owned and run store stocking their own brand Ts, hoods and tracksuit tops alongside achingly-trendy labels including Nike SB, We, LRG and others. Footwear by Adidas, Nike SB, Lakai, Fallen, Etnies, Emerica, DC and others.

Area 51 230 Gloucester Rd. Tel: (0117) 924 4655 Comics, graphic novels, games, merchandise, books, DVDs, toys and games with imports and a vast back-issue selection.

Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay. Tel: (0117) 917 2300 As you may have already read, Arnolfini has had a major refurbishment. é Likewise the amazing bookshop now stocking art theory, design, film, music, architecture and fashion volumes plus posters, cards and more. Also strong on contemporary fiction, poetry and suchlike.

Art@Bristol 44 Gloucester rd, Bishopston. Tel: (0117) 923 2259. Web: www.artatbristol.co.uk An Aladdin's cave of art materials imaginatively merchandised to fulfil most artists expectations of stock, availability and value for money. Plus model-making materials and a comprehensive range from The Hobby metal centre. The welcome is akin to walking into someone's home - open and friendly.

Artrageous Children's Scrapstore, The Proving House, Sevier St, St Werburghs. Tel: (0117) 908 5644 Art, craft and gift shop with treats and gifts galore, with all profits going to the very wonderful Children's Scrapstore charity.

Bdelicious 2 Triangle South. Tel: (0117) 929 1789 Specialist bead shop selling beads, jewellery and tiaras alongside silver jewellery and handmade beaded silk scarves. Commissions accepted. Knowledgeable staff.

Bishopston Trading 193 Gloucester Rd. Tel: (0117) 924 5598 Fair trade workers co-operative set up in 1985 to create employment for the South Indian village of KV Kuppam specialising in women's and children's clothing made from organic, handwoven cotton.

Bristol Kite Store 39a Cotham Hill. Tel: (0117) 974 5010 Kite specialist selling everything from the simple child's ðkite to super-duper high-tech sports model power kites. Loads of accessories and advice on kite-flying plus juggling equipment, boomerangs, yo-yos, Frisbees, kite-surfing equipment and mountain boards. Also affiliated with kite-surfing school.

CAV 18 Gloucester Road. Tel: (0117) 944 4191 www.cavuk.com Specialists in computer, audio and video cables and accessories, wireless networking, flash drives, blank media, TV aerials, headphones, digital camera memory and much more.

Drum Bank Music 203 Gloucester Rd. Tel: (0117) 975 5366 Drums, cymbals and percussion equipment sold by musicians and wannabe musicians. Plus guitars and accessories, a rehearsal room, drum and guitar tuition, and a ˜ go on the electric drums, if you ask nicely.

Easy Runner 6 Horfield Rd, St Michael's Hill. Tel: (0117) 929 7782. Web: www.easyrunner.co.uk A must for joggers, sprinters - basically anyone who runs. Specialist footwear and clothing for runners of all standards, plus individual service and expert advice.

Emmaus Bristol Barton Manor, St. Philips, BS2, Tel. 0117 954 0886 Website: www.emmausbristol.org.uk Good quality, second-hand furniture, electrical items, bicycles, computers, household goods etc. at bargain prices. Open Monday Ð Saturday from 10am Ð 5pm. Delivery and collection service available. Everything sold is donated to the charity and then reconditioned by formerly homeless people in their workshop. Donations also accepted.

Eureka Trading 27 Broad Weird. Tel: (0117) 925 3225 See Bath listing.

Fresh & Wild 8 ÿ5 Queens Rd. Tel: (0117) 910 5930 Ethical supermarket selling organic, fair trade and natural food and products. They stock Dr Hauschka products for face and body, Ecover detergents and whatnot for the home, wines, cheeses, deli foods, coffee, meat and poultry, toothpaste and plenty more. Take five in the attached cafe, which sells yummy, ethically-sound food and drink.

Geronimo 171 North St. Tel: (0117) 953 3400 Very friendly, neighbourhood extreme sports shop selling all you might need for a ski, board, mountain climb, surf, kiteboard or suchlike. Great range of thermal tops and shorts, skiing jackets and trousers and accessories. Staff very knowledgeable. If one of you gets fed up, ask if you can have a go on their PS2.

Ginger Gallery 84-86 Hotwell Rd. Tel: (0117) 929 2527 Art gallery selling ceramics, sculpture, contemporary jewellery, paintings, etchings and screen prints, clocks, cards and kiln-fired glass.

Ikea Eas þtgate Centre, Eastgate Rd, Eastville. Tel: (0117) 952 7032 Well, this is one that doesn't need introducing. Massive Swedish interiors store selling everything you might need plus a few things that you didn't and some candles 'cos they're cheap and by the checkout. Keep your eyes peeled for the knock-down section, to the left of the checkout, selling shop-worn items for a fraction of the full price.

IOTA Interior Accessories 83 Gloucester Rd. Tel: (0117) 924 4911 Stylish, contemporary and kitsch knick-knacks and home items like ashtrays, crockery, glassware, photo albums, books, clocks, calendars and kitchenware plus wrapping paper, cards and jewellery.

JD Sports 31 Merchant St. Tel: (0117) 927 7715 Stocking all major sports brands for men, women and children including Adidas, Converse, K-Swiss, Lacoste, Nike, Reebok and Timberland.

Katze 55 Gloucester Rd. Tel: (0117) 942 5625 Scent-filled ethnic sh ¾op selling all the stuff you'd find at festivals but, well, every day of the week; incense, body jewellery, ethnic throws, cards, trinkets, bits and bobs...

Legends Union St. Tel: (0117) 933 8500 Surf, skate and snow wear stocking brands like Roxy, Billabong, Hooch and Gsus for the ladies, O'Neill, Quiksilver and Blind for the gents.

London Camera Exchange 53-55 The Horsefair. Tel: (0117) 925 8716 and 3 Alliance House, Baldwin St. Tel: (0117) 929 1935 See Bath listing.

Mud Dock Cycleworks & Cafe 40 The Grove. Tel: (0117) 929 2151 Rather brilliant bike shop chock full of all your cycling needs from water bottles through waterproofs to the things themselves. They also repair, as well as coming up with the ingenious bike shed - a place for you to store your bike safely throughout the day and take a nice hot shower before you go to work.

Neal's Yard Remedies 126 Whiteladies Rd. Tel: (0117) 946 6034 Aromatherapy, bodycare, herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and related gifts and books. Knowledgeable and friendly staff can help with queries on homeopathy, aromatherapy, herbalism and flower remedies. Or just treat yourself to gorgeously-packed indulgent goodies.

Osiris 54 Park St. Tel: (0117) 925 6395 See Fashion.

Oxfam 61-63 Cotham Hill. Tel: (0117) 973 5200 & 26 Princess Victoria St. Tel: (0117) 946 7926 & 1 Queens Rd. Tel: (0117) 929 4890 & 11 Regent St. Tel: (0117) 973 9684 & 66 Westbury Hill, Westbury-on-Trym. Tel: (0117) 962 2159 Again, choose your Oxfam thoughtfully and you'll get some fine cast-offs including clothes, jewellery, books and music. Oh, and the money raised is spent on alleviating hunger, disease, exploitation and poverty.

Paul Roberts Hi-Fi 31-33 Gloucester Rd. Tel: (0117) 942 9370 All the D hi-tech electrical goods you could wish for... including those natty retro digital radios - lush! They're also DJ specialists.

Quiksilver Boardriders' Club Top floor, The Galleries, Broadmead. Tel: (0117) 929 2114 Stockists of Quiksilver clothing for surfers, snowboarders and skaters.

Richer Sounds 143 Whiteladies Rd. Tel: (0117) 973 4397 Another electrical goods haunt, this one selling you hi-tech goods at student-friendly prices. Staff are as wonderful as the humungous stock of hi-fi, home cinema and DJ gear.

Ripe 6 Perry Rd. Tel: (0117) 909 4415 Fabulously kitsch, funky and stylish emporium of gifts, home accessories and lifestyle bits and pieces from fire-breathing Nunzillas to plastic watering cans through Elvis bags and coasters, cards, cushions, lamps, clocks, frames, clothes and kitchenware.

Rollermania 62 Park Row. Tel: (0117) 927 9981 Rollerskates, inline skates and skateboards along with Stussy Ts, hats, hoods and jackets and shoes by Etnies, Emerica and Globe. Now also stocking running shoes and clothes. See Fashion ¿.

Route One The Mall, Cribbs Causeway. Tel: (0117) 959 2696 See Fashion.

Seven Generations 10-12 Picton Street Tel : (0117) 942 0165 Web: www.sevengenerations.co.ukNew eco-emporium with the emphasis on fair trade and thoughtful purchases plus superlative range of reading materials to aid your eco-purchases. See Bath listing.

Shark Bite Suft, Snow & Skate Centre 68 Park Row. Tel: (0117) 929 9211 Get your surfboards, bodyboards, skateboards, snowboards and related paraphernalia here. Do a great line in clothing from scene-leading labels like Vans and Quiksilver and a ton of accessories including wallets, watches, sunglasses and stickers.

Snappy Snaps Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Whiteladies Rd. Tel: (0117) 923 7411 Allegedly adopting a liberal attitude towards the kind of pictures you just couldn't get developed anywhere else, Snappy Þ Snaps' strengths also lie in their one-hour, restoration, and black and white processing services. You can also get enlargements from negatives.

Soukous 1a Pitville Place. Tel: (0117) 923 9854 Inspiring store on Cotham Hill selling stuff to adorn the house including Indian throws, cushion, greeting cards, wall hangings, curtains, jewellery, fairy lights, candles, bead curtains, bedding, coffee tables and games.

St Nick's Market St Nicholas St. Tel: 922 4017 A great way to while away an afternoon by wandering around the spacious halls of this indoor (and sometimes outdoor) market. Everything you could ever wish for under one roof. Seriously, toilet paper to T-shirts, fuses to falafels, mirrors to make-up, bead curtains to belts. Their plain hooded sweatshirts are dirt cheap and will last you all year, their Eastpak bags are pretty good value and the incense sticks are a staple at this time in your life.

Tangy Gifts 286-288 Stapleton Rd, Easton. Tel: (0117) 951 2202 It's called a new age and ethnic shop but Tangy is most renowned for selling legal highs and related paraphernalia. Find pipes, bongs, scales and such alongside worldwide handicrafts, cards and gifts.

Tantra Macintosh Computers 48 Kensington Park Rd, Brislington. Tel: (0117) 983 6999 Apple Mac systems and stuff for designers, musicians and other owners. Equipment comes both new and used, they can repair, advise, upgrade and basically offer all-round support for you and your Mac.

Teacher's Pet 118 Whiteladies Rd. Tel: (0117) 923 7636 Pet-related food, accessories and advice.

Trekitt The Galleries, Broadmead. Tel: (0117) 922 7990 Extreme sporty gumbo stocking clothing, accessories and equipment with brands including Volcom and Zoo York.

Twentieth Century Flicks 3 Richmond Terrace, Clifton. Tel: (0117) 974 2570 Legendary video store offering the broadest range of movies across the genres of comedy, top-30 films, arthouse, world cinema, sci-fi, horror, classics and more. To join, take along two forms of ID (like driving license, tenancy agreement, cash card) showing your signature and printed local address.

Village 2a Boyces Ave, Clifton. Tel: (0117) 908 0007 Another haven of kitsch. Find funky gift ideas, home accessories and fashion items like bags, purses, lamps, picture frames (from Perspex to bejewelled), enamel kitchenware, crockery, candles, jewellery, flip-flops, corsages, hair slides, keyrings and more.

Watershed Watershed, Canons Rd. Tel: (0117) 927 6444 Small but perfectly packed shop at the base of the now sprawling Watershed microplex. Find obscure, cult films on video and DVD, arthouse classics, film posters, film-related gifts, magazines, cards and plenty more with staff on hand to help with all your filmic needs.

Wild Oats Wholefoods 9-11 Lower Redland Rd, Clifton. Tel: (0117) 973 1967 Another gorgeous ethical shop selling vegan and vegetarian food, herbal teas, organic products (Dr Hauschka stocked here), make-up, tinctures and treats. Buy your fruit and veg here, too.

Windsurfers World 68 West St, Old Market. Tel: (0117) 927 0779 Incredibly large selection of wetsuits, surfboards, bodyboards and related clothing and accessories from all the leading brands.

The charitable works
Have a good dig around the city's secondhand shops to find the best bargains. Bristol's got tons of them, too, with the finest found the length and breadth of Gloucester Road. Paraphernalia (on adjo ning Ashley Down Road) does a great line in brooches, while Repsycho specialises in quality retro gear, from cowboy boots to clutch bags. Head off the beaten track to Picton Street in Montpelier to find the jewel in the crown La Freak Boutique: here be seriously stylish, achingly individual one-off items at great prices.

The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
With 135 shops and over 15 restaurants, The Mall is an out-of-town retailfest for die-hards who just can't help but consume. Discover a massive John Lewis, gigantic M&S, Topshop, H&M and all the other high-street haunts you could wish for. Go by car (M5 jnct. 17) or train (Bristol Parkway is the nearest train station, from which you'll need to hail a cab or bus (call 08457 484 950 for train times) but your best bet is to catch a First City Line or First Badgerline bus direct. Call 0870 608 2608 for times.

Student Guide - Bristol and Bath's best guide to all you need around town, plus tons of free vouchers. To order your copy ring 0117 942 8491. Only £2.95.