We believe the future of humanity lies locally.

We’re building a new kind of map—one that helps you discover and experience a world that’s more extraordinary, more unique, and truly independent.

Start your journey into the extraordinary

Every business you see here is a Certified Independent — locally owned, human-led, and part of a growing movement to reconnect people with place.

Regent Regent
Regent Regent

Regent

More than just a tailor

Clifton Seafood CompanyClifton Seafood Company
Clifton Seafood CompanyClifton Seafood Company

Bristol

Clifton Seafood Company

Freshest, Finest, Frendliest

Meticulous InkMeticulous Ink
Meticulous InkMeticulous Ink

Bath

Meticulous Ink

Independent stationers full of quirks and an abundance of talent.

East Village CaféEast Village Café
East Village CaféEast Village Café

Bristol

East Village Café

A delicious vegan cafê, where everything is freshly made!

Bar 44 BristolBar 44 Bristol
Bar 44 BristolBar 44 Bristol

Bristol

Bar 44 Bristol

Authentic Spanish dining in Clifton, Bristol 🇪🇸

Matcha ThingMatcha Thing
Matcha ThingMatcha Thing

Bath

Matcha Thing

Matcha.... A calm clean energy without the crash and burn of coffee!

TOWN+HOUSE TOWN+HOUSE
TOWN+HOUSE TOWN+HOUSE

Bath

TOWN+HOUSE

GREAT PLACE MEETS GREAT FOOD.

Electric Bear BrewingElectric Bear Brewing
Electric Bear BrewingElectric Bear Brewing

Bath

Electric Bear Brewing

Brewed On The Edge Of Bath

Topping & Company BooksellersTopping & Company Booksellers
Topping & Company BooksellersTopping & Company Booksellers

Bath

Topping & Company Booksellers

A richer reading experience awaits

Regent Regent
Regent Regent

Regent

More than just a tailor

Clifton Seafood CompanyClifton Seafood Company
Clifton Seafood CompanyClifton Seafood Company

Bristol

Clifton Seafood Company

Freshest, Finest, Frendliest

Meticulous InkMeticulous Ink
Meticulous InkMeticulous Ink

Bath

Meticulous Ink

Independent stationers full of quirks and an abundance of talent.

East Village CaféEast Village Café
East Village CaféEast Village Café

Bristol

East Village Café

A delicious vegan cafê, where everything is freshly made!

Bar 44 BristolBar 44 Bristol
Bar 44 BristolBar 44 Bristol

Bristol

Bar 44 Bristol

Authentic Spanish dining in Clifton, Bristol 🇪🇸

Matcha ThingMatcha Thing
Matcha ThingMatcha Thing

Bath

Matcha Thing

Matcha.... A calm clean energy without the crash and burn of coffee!

TOWN+HOUSE TOWN+HOUSE
TOWN+HOUSE TOWN+HOUSE

Bath

TOWN+HOUSE

GREAT PLACE MEETS GREAT FOOD.

Electric Bear BrewingElectric Bear Brewing
Electric Bear BrewingElectric Bear Brewing

Bath

Electric Bear Brewing

Brewed On The Edge Of Bath

Topping & Company BooksellersTopping & Company Booksellers
Topping & Company BooksellersTopping & Company Booksellers

Bath

Topping & Company Booksellers

A richer reading experience awaits

Wolf WineWolf Wine
Wolf WineWolf Wine

Bath

Wolf Wine

Open your eyes to a new world of wine

Plant. Eat. LiciousPlant. Eat. Licious
Plant. Eat. LiciousPlant. Eat. Licious

Bath

Plant. Eat. Licious

From the field to festivals, and now a fully-fledged plant-based cafe in the heart of Bath.

The Bath Chocolate Company The Bath Chocolate Company
The Bath Chocolate Company The Bath Chocolate Company

Bath

The Bath Chocolate Company

A café serving all things chocolate.

Kingsmead Street BottleKingsmead Street Bottle
Kingsmead Street BottleKingsmead Street Bottle

Bath

Kingsmead Street Bottle

A trendy bar with an in-house bottle shop and cheese kitchen.

Noya's KitchenNoya's Kitchen
Noya's KitchenNoya's Kitchen

Bath

Noya's Kitchen

An award winning Vietnamese restaurant, voted one of the UK’s top 5 Independents in 2021 and judged Bath’s Best Restaurant in 2022.

Cortado CafeCortado Cafe
Cortado CafeCortado Cafe

Bath

Cortado Cafe

An inviting café serving delicious Argentinian empanadas and amazing cortados

Scoop Wholefoods - BathScoop Wholefoods - Bath
Scoop Wholefoods - BathScoop Wholefoods - Bath

Bath

Scoop Wholefoods - Bath

The perfect place to get your day-to-day goods, whilst simultaneously being zero waste.

Mjölk Café & BakeryMjölk Café & Bakery
Mjölk Café & BakeryMjölk Café & Bakery

Bath

Mjölk Café & Bakery

Nordic Influenced Independent Cafe Artisan Bakery

Good Day CafeGood Day Cafe
Good Day CafeGood Day Cafe

Bath

Good Day Cafe

A good day starts with a good coffee

Wolf WineWolf Wine
Wolf WineWolf Wine

Bath

Wolf Wine

Open your eyes to a new world of wine

Plant. Eat. LiciousPlant. Eat. Licious
Plant. Eat. LiciousPlant. Eat. Licious

Bath

Plant. Eat. Licious

From the field to festivals, and now a fully-fledged plant-based cafe in the heart of Bath.

The Bath Chocolate Company The Bath Chocolate Company
The Bath Chocolate Company The Bath Chocolate Company

Bath

The Bath Chocolate Company

A café serving all things chocolate.

Kingsmead Street BottleKingsmead Street Bottle
Kingsmead Street BottleKingsmead Street Bottle

Bath

Kingsmead Street Bottle

A trendy bar with an in-house bottle shop and cheese kitchen.

Noya's KitchenNoya's Kitchen
Noya's KitchenNoya's Kitchen

Bath

Noya's Kitchen

An award winning Vietnamese restaurant, voted one of the UK’s top 5 Independents in 2021 and judged Bath’s Best Restaurant in 2022.

Cortado CafeCortado Cafe
Cortado CafeCortado Cafe

Bath

Cortado Cafe

An inviting café serving delicious Argentinian empanadas and amazing cortados

Scoop Wholefoods - BathScoop Wholefoods - Bath
Scoop Wholefoods - BathScoop Wholefoods - Bath

Bath

Scoop Wholefoods - Bath

The perfect place to get your day-to-day goods, whilst simultaneously being zero waste.

Mjölk Café & BakeryMjölk Café & Bakery
Mjölk Café & BakeryMjölk Café & Bakery

Bath

Mjölk Café & Bakery

Nordic Influenced Independent Cafe Artisan Bakery

Good Day CafeGood Day Cafe
Good Day CafeGood Day Cafe

Bath

Good Day Cafe

A good day starts with a good coffee

How xplore works

1

Download the free xplore app

Get started in just 2 minutes.

Download xploreDownload xplore
2

Start exploring

Discover 100% certifed Independent places to go, save your favourites or share recommendations with friends.

3

Enjoy local events

Don’t miss what’s happening locally – from pub quizzes and supper clubs to running clubs, festivals, and unique local experiences like food tours.

Independent Voices

Live and Breath it!

"If you don't live and breathe it, you can't create something amazing" - Noya's Kitchen. 

Seeing the strength of the independent community rise to challenges again and again in the City of Bath and indie pockets across the globe is nothing short of inspiring. It's no secret that running a small business comes with equal highs and lows and with xplore we want to boost our local legends up and help grow their communities. Much like Noya, by choosing to live more locally and by choosing to use xplore you're helping create something amazing. 

Which business owners in your local world do you want to shout about, show your support and look to for inspiration? 

Keep supporting, and keep xploring! 

Check out Noya's Kitchen on xplore

What people are saying

"xplore completely changed how I see my home town of Bath! I can't wait for it to be in other cities"
Jack, Bath
"Finally, an app that helps me find small businesses worth experiencing. This is what I’ve been looking for.”
Sophie, Frome
"I love how personal xplore feels. It’s like having a local friend in guiding you."
Liam, Bath
"I hate leaving a city only to realise I missed incredible local spots. I can't wait for xplore to be in other cities!"
Amelia, Bristol
6

Communities

74

Certified independents

2,198

Local explorers

Why we made Xplore

We believe our cities and towns should be filled with unique, independent businesses—not just corporate chains, betting shops and shuttered windows.

xplore’s mission is to:

  • Make it easier for people to discover independent businesses.
  • Help small businesses thrive in a world dominated by big brands.
  • Keep money in local communities.
  • Reignite the charm and character of our towns and cities.
  • Put humanity back into commerce

Join us in bringing back local.

Greg Barden, Chief Xplorer

Stop scrolling.
Start exploring

Discover authentic, local, independent businesses wherever you travel with the xplore app.

FAQ

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Is xplore free to use?

Yes! Xplore is free for users to discover and support independent businesses.

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What makes xplore different from Google Maps or TripAdvisor?

Unlike other platforms, xplore only features independent businesses, ensuring a curated, high-quality experience without chains or tourist traps.

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How does xplore choose which businesses to feature?

We carefully curate and certify independent businesses to ensure they align with our mission of supporting local, unique, and high-quality experiences. No chains, just real, passionate entrepreneurs.

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How does certification work?

To join xplore, businesses must prove they are:

  • Independently owned – Run by individuals, families, or a small group of owners.
  • Financially independent – Not reliant on private equity or venture capital.
  • Locally rooted – Have a physical presence in the community or operate as a market trader.
  • Community-driven – Actively support and engage with the local economy through their operations.
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Can I use xplore in multiple cities?

Yes! xplore works wherever we have certified independent businesses. We’re starting with select cities and expanding rapidly.

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How can I support my favorite businesses through xplore?

By checking in, favoriting businesses, attending events, and sharing them with friends, you help independent businesses thrive.

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Can businesses apply to be featured?

Yes! If you own an independent business that aligns with our values, you can apply for certification through xplore Go.

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Does xplore have a reviews system?

No, we're creating a human-centric alternative to review systems. Our recommendation feature builds positive word-of-mouth between friends, prioritising quality over quantity.

Almost there!

Scan to download the xplore app
App Store QR Code. Scan to Download the xplore App.

Almost there!

Scan to download xplore Go

Get started with xplore!

Scan to download the xplore app

App Store QR Code. Scan to Download the xplore App.

Get started with xplore Go!

Scan to download the xplore Go app