Cotham Hill is a treasure trove of independent shops, home to retailers who take pride in running businesses that focus on sustainability and on building a strong local community. From handcrafted jewellery at Flux (wink wink) to aromatherapy at Amphora Aromatics, the street is full of shops that reflect the values that make Bristol feel so special.
I’ve put together a little guide to some of our independent neighbours to share why their businesses matter to Cotham Hill, and, most importantly, how supporting them makes a difference not only to them but to Cotham Hill and Bristol as a whole.
Flux
Contemporary jewellery, craft gallery and silversmithing studio running jewellery workshops
At Flux, we showcase contemporary craft in forms of jewellery, ceramics, woodwork, bold sculptural pieces, and more. Everything is carefully chosen to showcase the passion and skill of makers, creating pieces that feel thoughtful, personal, and truly handmade. We take pride in representing a range of local makers from Bristol, who make in Bristol, as well as many other passionate makers from across the UK who we feel represent our ethos.
In addition to our gallery, we run jewellery-making workshops taught by Sarah. Both Sarah and I have been building a community of jewellery enthusiasts, introducing people to the joy of jewellery making.
Our Get Hammered course is a great example, introducing many Cotham Hill residents and visitors to a night of jewellery-making. This course combines jewellery-making at Flux, hosted at our favourite coffee shop and neighbour, OneB Coffee, as well as a curated selection of wine from Corks of Cotham, so you get to experience three local independents in one very unique evening! It’s a perfect representation of what makes Bristol feel special: creativity, community, and the vibrant spirit it offers.
🔗 Explore more of Flux:
Email: fluxbristol@gmail.com
Instagram: @fluxbristol
Address: 42 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6LA
Rag Trade Boutique
Preloved fashion with character and sustainability in mind.
Rag Trade Boutique is an ethical, preloved boutique where carefully selected high-street women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories find a new home. Alison, who runs the shop (and is a good friend of Sarah), is passionate about sustainability and curates her store to offer stylish, high-quality items as an alternative to fast fashion. Rag Trade is a big part of the independent spirit on Cotham Hill, bringing character, creativity, and ethics to women’s fashion.
A closer look at how Rag Trade Boutique works:
"Bring your pre-loved designer clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories into the shop and give them a new life. All items must be in season, laundered or dry cleaned, and in excellent condition. We’ll email you within seven days with the pieces we’ll accept and their prices. Items go on sale for 4–5 weeks, then reduce in stages, with unsold pieces eventually donated to charity. Sellers can take cash or in-store credit, and everything is sold as seen. We love helping you declutter, recycle fashion, and find new homes for pieces you no longer wear, bringing high-end designer to the high street at affordable prices in a friendly, community-focused environment."
🔗 Discover Rag Trade Boutique:
Website: ragtrade.boutique
Instagram: @ragtradeprelovedboutique
Phone: +44 117 973 6675
Address: 39a Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JY
OneB Coffee House
Independent cafe and community hub on Cotham Hill.
OneB Coffee is a perfect example of what an independent cafe brings to a community! Offering top-quality coffee whilst also being genuinely involved in the daily life of Cotham Hill. The staff are well-known by members of the local community. The cafe acts as an anchor point on the street, sitting comfortably in the middle of the surrounding shops. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for a coffee and end up staying longer than originally intended when you bump into someone you know — an essential reminder of what independent businesses can give back to Bristol.
Another part of what makes OneB special is its commitment to ethical coffee. They serve locally roasted beans from Triple Co Coffee in Montpelier, and always have an ever-changing selection of retail coffee from independent roasters like Dark Arts Coffee and Red Bank Coffee. All of these roasters prioritise ethical sourcing and transparency — something major chains often neglect!!
OneB also kindly provide us with a space to run our community-focused event, Get Hammered. They host a range of monthly events too, from the hugely popular OneB in the PM evenings to OneB Full Moon Super Clubs hosted by team members Zoe and Livvy, workshops by Fellow Humans, monthly book clubs run by team member Grace, and wine-tasting nights with Corks of Cotham.
🔗 Check out OneB Coffee House:
Instagram: @oneb.coffeehouse
Email: onebcoffeehouse@gmail.com
Address (Cotham Hill site): 1b, Pitville Place, Cotham, Bristol BS6 6JZ
Address (Gloucester Road site): 13A Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8AA
Amphora Aromatics
Essential oils, aromatherapy, and skincare on Cotham Hill.
Amphora Aromatics has been on Cotham Hill for decades, standing as one of the longest-running stores on the street! They offer a wide range of pure essential oils and aromatherapy skincare products. Founded in 1984, they’ve built extensive knowledge of natural products designed to support wellbeing, and the shop is the perfect place to find thoughtful, high-quality gifts without the big corporate feel. Amphora adds a warm, welcoming spot to the street and really represents the independent, community-focused side of Cotham Hill.
🔗 Find out more about Amphora Aromatics:
Website: https://www.amphora-aromatics.com/
Telephone: +44 (0) 117 9046232
E-mail: 36@amphora-aromatics.com
Phone: 0117 904 7212
Address: 36 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6LA
If You’re Not Already Convinced… Cotham Hill Has Even More to Offer!
This Christmas, shopping on Cotham Hill is about more than just picking up gifts — it’s a chance to see the people and creativity behind each independent business. From jewellery and ceramics at Flux, to preloved fashion at Rag Trade Boutique, aromatherapy at Amphora, and coffee and community at OneB Coffee House, every shop adds its own character to the street. Supporting them helps keep Cotham Hill vibrant, supports local makers, and shows what independent shops bring to Bristol.