Encompassing nine streets around Christmas Steps, you’ll find shops selling vinyl and violins, antique books and vintage garbs, handmade silver jewellery and stamps in this vibrant, independent shopping area. Look out for ceramic artist, Meryl Till, who works out of the Veron Ikon shop. Here, she creates and sells her textured porcelain wall and tower lamps, pierced to create delicate patterns of light.

It’s only a 30-minute walk from the city centre, but it really does feel like a village, albeit a beautiful Georgian one with private communal gardens, swanky boutiques and artisan bakeries. Stroll through the Clifton Arcade, built between 1876 and 1878, with its 17 bijoux shops such as Jemima Rose for vintage clothes from the 20s and 60s. On The Mall, don’t miss Clifton Rocks for contemporary handmade and vintage jewellery from more than 30 designers.

Looking for an original varsity sweater or a pair of vintage Levi’s? If so, head to one of Bristol’s longest-serving vintage clothes shops. It’s chock-full of Californian clobber from the 40s to the 80s, so you’ll have to be prepared to hunt through its vast stock. Worth it though for original items, often in mint condition. Also sells rare vinyl.

Part of the Bristol Guild of Applied Art (founded in 1908 for local craftspeople to sell their wares), this independent department store has been at the cutting edge of contemporary design since the 40s. Sprawling over three floors, with many a nook and cranny (including an art gallery), it specialises in unique gifts and cool homeware, including kitchenware and ceramics.