by Tom Fieldhouse (
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I am a freelance writer, living in Bath with my wife and son.
I love my city, and love to live here. I write about Bath a lot, and sometimes about travels in Ireland and France.
At the top of the town, right around the corner from The Circus and tucked teasingly away is the pedestrianised Margaret's Buildings. A stylish blend of residential and retail, it is a lovely place to have a quiet hour in, and just off the main tourist drag, too. On first glance, it resembles a little corner of Paris, complete with jewellery shops, a gallery and a chic cafe. Look deeper though, and you will find one of the city's most unique and special areas, that feels like a self-contained city in itself.

Beautiful and bustling
It is the sheer variety of shops and arty spaces on this street that attracts me. With an antiquarian bookseller on one end and a contemporary gallery at the other, the street has a definite Bohemian feel to it that is very appealing. Add to that the hairdressing shops and fashion boutiques, and you have a sense of what this street has to offer.

Serious antiques to shabby chic
My favourite boutique is the Homefront interior homeware store. Full to the brim with funky and elegant home ornaments and features, I could spend hours there. The displays are always an eclectic collection, and I particularly enjoy looking at the vintage cameras and lighting.

All's quiet on the Margaret front
Another favourite haunt of mine is the gemstone shop in the centre of the street. It glitters like an Aladdin's cave and sells gemstones, jewellery and remarkable fossils.

All sorts of stones

Crystal's Gallery
The Green Cafe has a very relaxed vibe to it, and the tables that spill on to the street add to the Parisian ambience. Many of the loyal customers there, work and live on the street, and I feel that this makes the environment of this street even more friendly. Want some sightseeing that offers insight into the residential life of Bath? Look no further.

Come and meet the locals