Here come the girls - for a shop and spa break

Bath is the hot city for a girly weekend and the girls have been gravitating there for hundreds of years for some "me" time. Immaculate Eighteenth Century architecture provides a backdrop for some serious 21st Century shopping and pampering at the country's only natural thermal spa.

Social Networking
The Georgians were masters of social networking long before anyone had invented Facebook. They made Bath what it is today and much of it feels like a film set. For a preview of what's in store watch the DVD of the Duchess and it is easy to see why her ladyship came to Bath whenever she wanted some time out. The gracious crescents of Bath were built in its Georgian heyday when fashionable society was drawn by the magical healing powers of the spring waters. Sip a genteel cup of tea and enjoy the grandeur of the Pump Room for afternoon tea. It's easy to imagine the aristocracy gossiping with each other over a warm glass of the healing water packed full of minerals to zap away ailments. The town they established is now a World Heritage Site and a fabulous setting for a girly getaway.

If you are a Jane Austen fan, this is your city. The Jane Austen Centre tells the story of her life in the city from 1801 - 1806 and how she was inspired to set two of her six novels in the city. A new exhibition showcases Bath as "the place to go" for the winter season in 1801. Corsets and crinolines can be tried and tested at the Bath Fashion Museum set in the fabulous Assembly Rooms, you too can become part of the costume drama.

Preen and Pamper
Preen and pamper has been the mantra of this spa town for a thousand years. The Romans named the city Aquae Sulis after the goddess Sulis Minerva and even then it became a centre for R&R. Visitors came from afar to bathe in the natural spring waters and worship the goddess. Thermae Bath Spa provides a modern day oasis with its steaming waters. Wallowing in the rooftop pool watching the sun set over the Bath skyline is an experience of a lifetime.
Right in the heart of the city call in at Champney's Town and City Spa for a quick fix manicure or facial. For beauty products make a beeline for New Bond Street with Molton Brown, l'Occitaine, Space NK Apothecary and the Beauty Store where you can book a mini makeover and emerge as a new you.

Abandon the treadmill and head for the hills; Bath is surrounded by seven of them, or jog out of town along the Kennett and Avon Canal through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Fashion Zone
With many independent shops, Bath has no clone high street and a real opportunity to come home with something unique and different. Visitors love the personal service in fashion boutiques like Mee in Bartlett Street. Pretty as a picture, Mee is a delight. Owner Emma Mandell-Lynn says "girls of every age love to come here because we get to know them and look after them and make them feel special. Shopping here is a real pleasure not a hard slog. They come to Bath for some me time and a bit of self-indulgence, to have some fun while they shop". Top brands can also be found in Bath and shops like Phase Eight and Hobbs chose the city for flagship stores plus Jigsaw and L.K.Bennett are both at the Old Post Office.

Vintage in Vogue
Vintage is in vogue and Vintage to Vogue off Milsom Street has the genuine article or look for recycled designer gear in the Frock Exchange in Kingsmead Square. Sassy and Boo sell very sassy hand beaded, replica flapper dresses made from authentic patterns from the thirties. Sassy & Boo is in Milsom Place and in Margaret's Buildings, a delightful pedestrian street, located between the two famous architectural set pieces, the Circus and the Royal Crescent, lined with gift shops and galleries.

Instant Vintage is a welcome addition to George Street with vintage inspired modern fashion. Traffic People, new to Milsom Place this September with their first store outside London, create their own style; "modern vintage glamour", romantic and feminine. For fun and funk visit the Yellow Shop at the bottom of Walcot Street for retro and new clothing, unusual and affordable and piled high with vintage bags and cowboy boots. Cath Kidston comes with its own unique timeless style and charming retro floral prints.

Hidden Gems
Milsom Street is the artery to retail heaven with a cluster of well known brands such as Ted Baker, Hobbs, Duo the bespoke boot people and Reiss as well as Jolly's, one of the UK's oldest department stores now run by House of Fraser. Wander off the main drag for a treat in store. Small alleyways and back streets are just waiting to be discovered with gems like the Silver Shop in Union Passage heaving with silver trinkets. Pulteney Bridge is one of three of its kind in the world, with shops perched on the bridge itself high above the weir below. Fashion and flowers, jewellery and gifts are all packed into this highly historic spot.

Designer Divas
For serious style queens find Square in Old Bond Street. Owner Lyn Gardner selects key pieces from each season's collections from designer like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Missoni and Matthew Williamson. For more designer labels look for Max Mara, Paddy Campbell and Sonya Riekel at Image in Bath's fashionable new shopping and eating quarter, Milsom Place.

Arm Candy
This is Mulberry Country. The bags are made nearby with a Factory Shop in Shepton Mallet. In Bartlett Street, Lux carries the iconic Mulberry Bayswater and Juicy Couture shoes or Liz Cox has her only UK shop in Bath with her distinctive chenille bags. Prey, another great independent boutique, on George Street love their soft leather bags by Irish designer Orla Keiley and Betty Jackson shoes and Square carries Fendi shoes and Mololes bags. Longchamp, Cartier, Moschino and Bulgari handbags can be found at Mallory, Bath's oldest jewellers.

Young at Heart
Recessionistas are well catered for; this is a university town so there is plenty of affordable shopping. The brand new SouthGate Centre due to open on 4th November 2009 will house H&M and Top Shop among others. In one of Britain's earliest arcades, the Corridor, find brands like Animal and Superdry or Jack Wills on Milsom Street and Joules on Argyle Street.

Take Home Treasures
Gift shopping is fun in Bath with shops like Bloomsbury, Vinegar Hill and Quadri in Milsom Place. Bloomsbury has gifts for all with Tintin key rings and retro school badges for kids' stockings, Azumi jewellery and Paul Smith cufflinks and Quadri is the Alessi HQ in Bath as well as jewellery, watches and picture frames. The White Company is always a treat for all the senses and closeby in the Podium find Crabtree and Evelyn as well a source of great value silver jewellery in the Silvermine.

Ladies Who Lunch
The Bath ladies who lunch head for Milsom Place with its continental atmosphere to dine al fresco in the summer at Le Parisien, the Moon and Sixpence or Jamie's Italian, the flagship in Jamie Oliver's new group of affordable Italian eateries. The West Country has been called the larder of England and Bath is groaning with produce so it's a magnet for culinary talent. With 150 English cheeses to taste, The Fine Cheese Company is worth a visit and their café does great lunches and cakes. For a coffee, cakes and light lunches, try upstairs at Shoon or Jika-Jika, the newest coffee house owned by Matt Stevens and Lee Mears better known for their connections with Bath Rugby. In need of a Bellini pick up? Head for Aqua on Walcot Street, an Italian eaterie housed in an elegant art deco former church.

After Dark
The Georgians made Bath their party town with grand balls in the Assembly Rooms under sparkling chandeliers. Today's scene is just as lively with clubs like the swanky Blue Rooms or PoNaNa a funky soul bar with a compact dance floor or Second Bridge for slamming music and Ibiza vibe. Go underground for some of the best nightspots like Moles for live music, or a chilled atmosphere in OPA or Sub 13.