Pirates & Roses

This madcap little shop has a very strong ethos behind it, which I discovered in the course of a lovely chat with the owner. She told me that they never re-​order stock once it has sold out, in a bid to create a museum/​art gallery feel to the place, and to leave customers with the satisfying notion of having bought a one-​off piece.
The shop is extremely full, but presented in an attractive way. The owner said it was set out to look like «a pirate ship, with all the stock being our loot». It definitely gives that impression, with tables and cupboards full of jewellery, bangles, badges, pictures, cards, key rings. It’s a trinket shop, really, but there’s also a selection of bohemian clothes and accessories.
It’s not cheap, but each piece is really special; I picked up a beautiful hair clip with a handmade floral design, which cost £35. But there are smaller things, too. You just have to get stuck in and have a good look around. When you’re looking for a unique gift, this is a fun shop to try.

For every wannabe pirate this is must-​see treasure trove of all the gear needed to woo a Jack Sparrow or Elizabeth Swann. Land-​lubbers beware though for the prices are fairly steep.
I first heard about Pirates and Roses at the charity event Decades of Decadence last year at the Bristol Museum, when a Johnny Depp lookalike modelled their clothes on the catwalk.
There are bustling skirts, blouses with flowing sleeves and huge skull-​headed pendants with bejewelled eyes. But on the cheaper side there are some great gifts too. From coasters with flaming skulls to beautiful beads and jewellery boxes it truly straight out of Davey Jones’ locker. However, you either need to be a pirate fanatic or have a huge disposable income to fritter away on fancy dress to shop here.
They do stock incredible pieces from bespoke designers from all over the world and the owners are incredibly friendly. There is also a resident Pug called Mr something or other who was pretty cool.