Save time, stay on budget, and find everything you need.

Working out what you need to bring with you to Bath can feel overwhelming. For a lot of new students, there will be a lot of extra stuff you need to buy to be prepared for living independently, from new kitchenware to study supplies. Buying all of this at once can be expensive and cause logistical challenges when moving-in, particularly if you are coming a long distance.

There’s no need to panic as Bath has everything you need within easy reach. Here is a breakdown of where you can get key essentials – all of these are in the city centre unless otherwise stated.

 

Home essentials

Whether you’re making your room feel more homely, or stocking up on the basics, there are lots of options in and around Bath.

• Poundland for affordable, everyday items.
• TK Maxx for bedding and home accessories.
• Primark Home for affordable room essentials.
• Supermarkets with homeware sections such as Marks & Spencer’s (Southgate) and Sainsbury’s (Green Park).
• Argos – order in advance and collect in Sainsbury’s.

Outside of Bath (recommended if travelling to Bath by car):

• Trowbridge Retail Park: you’ll find a B&M and Home Bargains for cleaning products, kitchen essentials and storage.
• IKEA Bristol for storage solutions, bedding, décor and more.

 

Kitchenware

From your first frying pan to a reliable mug, you’ll find everything you need locally.

• M&S South Gate and Sainsbury’s Green Park both stock basic cookware and dining essentials. 
• ProCook and Lakeland offer more specialist cookware. 
• IKEA Bristol is ideal for affordable plates, cutlery, and cookware.

 

Study supplies and books

Whether you’re getting organised for lectures or looking for some recreational reads, Bath has plenty of options.

• Ryman and WHSmith for stationary and study essentials.
• Bath Typo and Flying Tiger for colourful, creative stationary and desk accessories.
• Toppings Bookshop and Mr B’s Emporium for independent bookshop experiences.
• Card Factory for greeting cards, wrapping paper, and celebration essentials.

 

Technology and electronics

If you need to replace a charger, upgrade or purchase a laptop, or sort out a phone contract, Bath has some convenient options.

• Currys has the broadest range of new electronics. It is a bit outside of the city centre on Lower Bristol Road. Apple in SouthGate Bath.
• Mobile phone providers in the city centre include EE, O2, Three and Vodaphone.
• CEX for buying and selling second-hand tech, games and electronics.

 

Food shops

There are plenty of convenient places to stock-up the kitchen cupboards.

• Sainsbury’s Green Park is ideal for a weekly food shop.
• Lidl for affordable groceries and household essentials. This is outside the city centre, but can be easily accessed via the 5 bus route.
• Morrisons on London Road is another big supermarket, but a little trickier to get to.
• Istanbul is great for stocking up on international foods and ingredients.

 

Clothes 

If you need extra layers, or forgot a few items when packing, you have options in the city centre. 

Primark, H&M, Zara, and Next are centrally located and popular options for everyday clothing.

 

Health and beauty

From prescriptions to toiletries, it’s easy to pick up what you need while you’re settling into university life.

• Boots for toiletries, medicines, higher cost beauty products and pharmacy services. 
• Superdrug for health, beauty, and personal care essentials

 

Student discount

Student discount schemes can help stretch your budget, and as soon as you have access to your university email address, you can usually sign up and start saving.

Popular student discount platforms include:

• UNiDAYS
• Student Beans
• TOTUM

 

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything before you arrive. Bath has plenty of options for picking up essentials once you’ve moved in, helping you save luggage space, reduce moving-day stress, and avoid buying things you many not actually need.