Slice of the City
THE GOOD SHOPPER
Treasure Seekers Bristol
1. Dig Haushizzle
Head back to Victorian times with a visit to Dig Haushizzle, which you’ll find in the independent area of the Christmas Steps. Cassandra and Edward Nicholas’ beautifully curated Aladdin’s cave is packed with vintage curiosities, largely dating back to the 19th century. The couple trawl flea markets and antiques fairs in search of furniture, lighting and the odd taxidermy peacock. There are some brilliantly characterful pieces.
Dig Haüshizzle, 51 Colston Street, Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, Bristol, BS1 5AX
Dig-haushizzle.co.uk
2. Relics HiFi & Vinyl
Bristol’s premier vintage record store, Relics, has been restoring broken and old record players since 1974. But aside from servicing and repairing vintage valve and transistor hi-fis, record players, DJ decks, amps and radios, it buys and sells them too. The shop also sells art, lamps, chests, bric-a-brac and music related collectibles as well as new and used vinyl records from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. The best bit: Relics will fit an iPod connection to your vintage record player or valve radio. Crackle away.
Relics HiFi & Vinyl, 109 St George's Road, Bristol, BS1 5UW
Relicsbristol.co.uk
3. Focus on the Past
Perhaps offering Bristol’s largest variety of antiques and collectibles, Focus on the Past is a cooperative of 12 dealers set over two floors near the suspension bridge in Clifton Village. At first glance, the sheer volume of stock might seem intimidating, but digging deep is the name of the game. From suitcases to kitchenalia, rugs to garden furniture, there’s something for everyone. The store is also particularly well-known for its beautiful French and English beds.
Focus on the Past, Waterloo Street, Avon, Bristol, BS8 4BT
Focusonthepast.org
4. Source Antiques
Source Antiques is a specialist reclaimer store that discovers and supplies both contemporary and traditional pieces. The shop focuses on 20th century antiques, architectural salvage, industrial and vintage lighting, and in particular retro English Rose and Paul Metal craft kitchens. Both brands were prominent in the 1950s and have become design classics today. Not only will the store source the kitchen cabinets, they’ll fit them for you too – a particularly niche enterprise, and one that Source has put its name to.
Source Antiques, 5 Flowers Hill Close, Bristol, BS4 5LF
Source-antiques.co.uk
5. Robert Mills Architectural Antiques
Over the last 20 years, Robert Mills Architectural Antiques has saved thousands of items from old mansions, redundant churches, Victorian banks and other demolished public buildings. The company’s 30,000sqft warehouse is full to the brim with pulpits, balustrades, fireplaces, doorframes and stained-glass windows from the 19th and early 20th centuries. With an emphasis on ‘the dramatic, the ornate and the flamboyant,’ this enormous warehouse could easily double up as a museum. Visit and spend a happy couple of hours exploring.
Robert Mills Architectural Antiques & Reclamation, 9 Narroways Road, Bristol, BS2 9XB
Rmills.co.uk
6. IM Chaney Antique Furniture
IM Chaney stocks a wide range of restored and unrestored antique furniture and antiques. The company specialises in quality 18th century furniture but sells pieces from the 17th and 19th century too. Mahogany, oak and walnut bookcases and chests are plentiful, and there’s an interesting selection of clocks, barometers and oriental pieces. The shop’s tea caddie and walking stick selection is also worth a look.
IM Chaney Antique Furniture, 8 Devon Road, Bristol, BS5 9AD
Imchaney.co.uk
7. Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone’s owners Arthur and Mollie are regularly asked by the BBC and Icon Films to supply their sets. There are plenty of great pieces to take home: vintage French brass chandeliers and handmade Moroccan rugs, but the curiosities steal the show. Where else could you find a vintage rudder and tiller, a chrome-plated diving torch, trench periscope binoculars, croquet sets and a taxidermy chamois all under one roof?
Rag & Bone, 11 St Nicholas Street, Bristol
Ragandbonebristol.com
Other Guides
Markets in Bristol
Bristol offers visitors a treasure trove of shopping options with a thriving market culture championing both local and global food and finds. These markets strongly support local makers, artisans, growers, and producers. You simply cannot visit Bristol without wandering around a market or two, so we’ve created a list of unmissable gems for you to explore!
Photo credit: Vegan Food & Living
