What can you expect from Bath's shops and restaurants?

Monday, 5 March 2012 6:27 PM

Bath has long been a popular destination for people seeking a chic, luxurious break, not least of all because of its charming shopping outlets and vibrant restaurant scene. Book a getaway in self-catering accommodation in Bath and you'll have a great time.

Head to the Green Park Station in the heart of the city and you can buy high-quality leather goods and antiques from a wealth of independent traders. Each Saturday, the retail complex hosts a farmers' market, allowing you to sample the best of local produce - including fish, cheese and bread. You can even pick up a few things to cook fabulous meals back in the self-catering cottage you are staying in. On the last Sunday of the month, a wonderful vintage and antiques market is held where you can buy everything from retro homeware to ceramics.

It should come as little surprise that the Artisan Quarter is awash with fantastic craft shops and independent boutiques, selling everything from menswear and bikes to vegan food and second-hand books.

Bath is also a wonderful place for a chic cottage break due to the fantastic array of museums and galleries that can be visited. Among these is the intriguing Bath Postal Museum, which provides a stunning insight into how mail has been delivered over the years. Here, you will see an ever-changing array of exhibitions, as well as have the chance to play interactive games that teach you more about the development of the postal service.

Situated in what was the city's main post office between 1822 and 1854, the cultural institution is where the first recorded posting of a Penny Black stamp took place in 1840.

Budding fashionistas should also make the effort to visit the Fashion Museum. Situated on Bennett Street, the establishment has a rotating series of exhibits incorporating everything from 16th-century clothing to garments seen on the silver screen.

Whether you spend your time in Bath checking out the various museums or hitting the high street, you'll soon work up an appetite. Although you'll have modern kitchen facilities at your cottage, it'd be a crime not to enjoy a few meals out in some of the city's fabulous restaurants.

The Dower House Restaurant offers sumptuous British cuisine, influenced by Asian and the Mediterranean cooking techniques, while the Olive Tree has won three AA rosettes for its high-quality fare and focus on making the most of local produce.