A guide for lovers of antiques in finding the best spots in Bristol to find yourself a hidden gem.
With its strong artistic tendencies, Bristol is known for being home to an array of vintage and antique stores. You’re certainly not short of stunning places to sniff out a bargain. Whether you have the patience to rumble through a chaotic jumble or you’d rather a more carefully curated selection to choose from, we’ve got the perfect list of places for you…
Rag & Bone
Studio 1, 11 St. Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UE
This charming shop features a delectable collection of carefully chosen decorative antiques and furniture, as well as lighting, homeware, and even the odd original artwork. Stock turns over quickly, which means it’s always worth popping in to see what vintage treat they’ve uncovered of late.
Whether you’re after a vintage off-licence sign or a modernist armchair, Rag & Bone have you covered. This level of curation comes at a price, but in return you’re sure to find a beautiful, high quality array of items on offer. You can either check out their website, or for the authentic experience visit their shop right in the centre of the old city.
The Reclaimers
347a Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8TG
At the other end of the spectrum, head to Gloucester Road for this marvellous and eclectic site bursting with antique writing desks, ornate doors, and even a kitchen sink! If you've never been to a Reclaimer’s Yard before, make sure you expect a fair amount of chaos, and be prepared to earn your finds rooting through their stock. This is a big part of the fun though, and perfectly suited to those who’d rather do some of the exploring themselves - and to typically be rewarded with a significantly cheaper price tag! So get your adventure cap on and go for a dig: you might even think about walking 1000 miles to get there (sorry).
Dig Haüshizzle
141 St. Johns Lane, Bristol, BS3 5AE
Next up is an unusual suggestion given that this shop sadly no longer exists. Much loved antiques cave Dig Haüshizzle that began in 2010 closed in 2018 so that owners Cassandra and Edward could focus on their online business - so they haven’t disappeared for good!
Instead they continue to seek out classy and unique items running the full gamut from antique mirrors, tables and chairs, through to books and vintage lighting. They’re still based in Bristol, and you can visit their stunning, vintage designed home by appointment so they still have a firm place in our hearts as a Bristol Gem. They’ve simply become a little harder to find. But thanks to us, that’s less of a problem.
Rachel and Michael’s Antiques
30 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, BS8 4BZ
Located in the heart of the quaint Clifton Village is Rachel and Michael’s Antiques. Locating their stock through house clearances, this store is the perfect place to pop to after a lunch in one of the local café’s and having a relaxed afternoon browsing through this Aladdin’s cave of trinkets to see if you can bag yourself an antique bargain and with over 80 plus years of combined experience, you can be assured that they know what they’re doing when it comes to finding golden old-y goodies.
From antiques to retro relics, to collectibles, you never know what you may stumble upon so it’s good to turn up with a keen eye
Bristol Brocante
123 St. George’s Road, BS1 5UW
Established in 1991, Bristol Brocante is an antique vintage store dedicated to selling a wide range of furniture from cottage-core to French shabby chic to farmhouse quaintness. With an array of Victorian and Edwardian furniture, it’s one of those places where you’ll enter needing nothing but certainly leave wanting or having bought something.
Again, you may need to spend some time there sifting through to find a piece that catches your eye but when you do you will not be disappointed.