Guild: "Short but sweet" Bristol Shopping Tip by themajor

Quite a history behind this one. It started off life in 1908 as the worthy and wordy 'Bristol Guild of Applied Art' - basically a showcase for local craftmen. Over the past 100 years (almost!) the name has shortened considerably to 'Guild' or - for the particularly verbose amongst you - 'The Guild'.

The shop meanders over a number of floors in interesting and beguiling ways. The stock is still design driven but it can no longer claim to be the work of local craftsmen alone. Indeed much of it probably isn't even UK sourced but it is interesting and not the sort of stuff you'll find in most city shops. You'll find kitchenware, crafts, gifts, furniture and lighting, toys, jewellery and handbags and even some food. I often come away clutching something but be warned - it isn't cheap! Inevitably I always leave an expensive item sitting on the shelf which I will mope about for weeks afterwards. This year it was a beech bath tidy. Doesn't sound particularly exciting does it, but it's bookrest, candle holder and glass receptacle was rather ravishing in it's wooden finish (see photo). Yours for £85. That'll buy you a lot of spare soap...

What to buy: Luxury bath bits

What to pay: It doesn't come cheap.

Address: 68-70 Park Street, Bristol. BS1 5JY.
Phone: 0117 926 5548
Theme: Other
Website: http://www.bristolguild.co.uk