Introducing Shires Yard: A new dining & lifestyle destination in the heritage city of Bath

Shires Yard, a new dining and lifestyle destination in the centre of Bath, is set to launch this October 2025 with a new identity celebrating its past, a flurry of new additions and a reimagining of this unique collection of heritage properties.

A UNESCO World Heritage city, Bath is the only city in the UK to be designated a World Heritage Site in its entirety. Aside from its popularity with tourists and Jane Austen fans, its independent restaurant scene has been bolstered in recent years by the openings of acclaimed restaurants such as Upstairs at Landrace and Beckford Canteen, solidifying its reputation as a destination for dining as well as history and culture.

Set within Bath’s upmarket shopping quarter, Shires Yard is a contemporary redevelopment cocooned between Georgian townhouses stretching from Milsom Street to Broad Street. It sits just a stone’s throw from landmark sites such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

Comprising 75,000 sq ft of listed buildings, suntrap courtyards, terraces and vaults, the design blends heritage roots with modern finishes to create a stylish and sympathetically reimagined space. The exterior landscaping has been recently implemented by Jon Wheatley, RHS Victoria Medal of Honour recipient and fourteen-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner, whose team will continue to curate seasonal planting and displays

Previously named Milsom Place, the site was first named Shires Yard in the Georgian period, operating as a working stable yard that would transport goods and art from Bath to London. Now under new ownership, its latest custodians are keen to bring this past to life, restoring the original name to honour its past energy and dynamism.

The site will launch as Shires Yard on 15^th October 2025.

A reimagined heritage

The area around Shires Yard has been part of Bath’s cultural reputation since the 18^th century. Now, visitors and locals alike will be able to discover an array of independent businesses, with a focus on new British heritage and west country talent. The aim is to become a collective hub of creativity, from established names to breakthrough brands, spanning retail, food and drink, wellness and lifestyle.

William Riordan, who is leading the project, commented: “This is about creating a place where people feel connected – to the makers and partners within the estate, to the stories and the memories created on site, and above all, to each other. We want to foster a sense of belonging that goes beyond shopping or eating and drinking, creating a community for the people of this very special city and those who visit.”

Shires Yard partner Peter Phillips, commented: “Our goal when we started was to re-energise an important part of Bath’s history. We wanted to make it a place that the city could be proud of, and somewhere that people wanted to go with friends and enjoy good food and shopping in unique surroundings, making it a focal point once again.”

In the next phase of development, there are plans in the future to add a boutique hotel which will sit at the centre of Milsom Street. The hotel will be created by British hotel developer Oberland, a specialist in turning heritage buildings into destinations for the discerning modern traveller. The Bath location will join other upcoming openings across the UK; all intentionally located in heritage buildings, honouring their individual histories whilst providing contemporary, design-led accommodation.

Oberland co-founder Andrew Dean, commented: “Our vision is to breathe new life into remarkable heritage buildings, creating spaces where history and modern comfort sit side by side. Bath’s rich architectural legacy makes it the perfect addition to our collection, and we’re excited to offer guests a destination that feels both timeless and fresh.”

What’s new?

Recent additions this summer include Magari, cooking fresh homemade pasta, Coret Coffee & Wine, serving specialty teas, coffees and wine, and The Cookery Studio, delivering hands-on masterclasses in their specially designed space.

Moving into the former Jamie’s Italian restaurant, occupying an expansive space over two floors and a rooftop terrace, will be Root by Josh & Holly Eggleton’s The Pony Group and co-patrons Rob Howell and Meg Oakley-Howell. Serving Root’s signature vegetable-led plates in a double-height, light-filled space, this will be their first site in Bath and the largest Root to date, with the addition of a casual dining and drinks space on the ground floor serving a dedicated Root cocktail menu. It will open in October 2025, joining their two existing sites in Bristol and Wells.

Another notable opening this autumn will be Bramley, with their first standalone store. Following the successful launch of their new Bramley Skin spa range, the serene space will showcase their full range of natural body and skincare products, with plans to offer skincare consultations and experiences.

Clothing brands moving in will include a flagship store for Gieves & Hawkes, the iconic British menswear house with over two centuries of history, and RM Williams, which will be taking over a beautiful former bank building on Milsom Street.

For those seeking wellness experiences, there is hot yoga studio Yogakave, while creative types can visit British furniture maker Arlo & Jacob, artist galleries Nicholas H Wood and Sandra Higgins, and create their own floral bouquet at independent florist, Anemone. The Milsom Street entrance to Shires Yard boasts a revolving pop-up space that will host smaller independents, currently occupied by Somerset based all-natural craft ice cream brand, Brickell’s. The scheme will also welcome a pop-up from independent brewery Electric Bear, who will open a taproom celebrating their small-batch craft beers brewed locally in the city.

These new additions join existing restaurants Bosco pizzeria, The Botanist, Bandook Indian and Côte Brasserie, and there will be more new openings from retailers and restaurateurs in the coming months. In line with Bath’s thriving cultural calendar, there will also be a programme of special events throughout the year in 2026, tapping into key moments and bringing the site to life with each season.

A reinvestment in the high street

Shires Yard directly fronts Milsom Street, which has a fashionable history and has been part of Bath’s food and cultural reputation since the 1770s. In Georgian times, this grand shopping street became renowned for its restaurants, shops and social scene; and was home to some of the earliest ‘retail showrooms’ in the UK.

Today, the surrounding streets boast the likes of Mulberry, Kiehl’s, Piglet, Aesop, Jo Malone, TOAST, Farrow & Ball and Devol Kitchens. Adjoining Shires Yard is Green Street, a charming side street with newly opened independent eateries including 18 Green Street and Green Street Butchers, joining the likes of Paxton & Whitfield and 18^th century pub, The Old Green Tree.

The latest development and branding of Shires Yard hark back to its original name and heritage. In the 18th century, every Wednesday and Sunday, Thomas Wiltshire’s ‘Flying Horses’ left from Shires Yard on the two-and-a-half-days’ journey to London’s Holborne Bridge, sometimes carrying the works of the Bath artist Thomas Gainsborough.

A small shopping mall opened on this site in 1988. It later re-opened at twice its original size, incorporating a second Georgian courtyard. It is now set to enter its next phase under new ownership and direction, maintaining Milsom Street’s place as the fashionable heart of the city.

The redevelopment of Shires Yard is part of a wider investment in the city of Bath, which attracts some six million visitors per year and is home to the UK’s only thermal spa. The new Milsom Quarter Masterplan, now underway, will create improved streets and public spaces around the Milsom Quarter, new creative workspaces and a new residential neighbourhood. It will also see the development of the Bath Fashion Museum in the former Old Post Office building, a project estimated at £37 million that will be a first of its kind outside of London.