ShakeAway serves more than 150 different milkshakes and it's an excellent place to taste some childhood favourites. Curlywurly, anyone?

The Venue
Like their trademark turquoise and yellow cups the ShakeAway in Bath is bright and colourful. ShakeAway is an international milkshake shop chain that started in the UK and spread to New Zealand and Australia. In its Bath branch there's a glass cabinet filled with customised cups covered in sequins, mosaics, feathers and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

Most of the kids who come here get a kick out of sitting at the high tables (there are only three) and slurping away on a Cadbury's Creme Egg milkshake. There are loads of flavours to choose from so there's usually a huddle of people staring at the menu trying to figure out what to order while the staff are busy whipping up ingredients which are stored in small yellow and blue containers behind the bar.

The People
During weekend mornings the place is mobbed by bands of kids. They come in groups, often ordering the same milkshake (Maltesers) and they sit making noise until their final slurp.

Children aren't the only customers. Shakeaway's menu caters to vegans, coeliacs and people on diets so pretty much anyone can enjoy its delights - guilt free. However, twentysomethings make up the majority and it's particularly popular with students who tend to while away their afternoons here debating which flavour is best.

The Drink
There is so much to choose from it can be bewildering and traditional fruit shakes are the minority, leaving most of the space to be taken by less healthy options. Basically, ShakeAway make milkshakes out of anything that can be blended, from Blueberry Nutrigrain to Liquorice Allsorts. The Maltesers milkshake seems to be popular with those aged 10, while the Frey’s orange and cream soy milkshake is a good vegan chocolate fix.

The most extravagant choices are the likes of Turkish delight and Weetabix and Parma Violets milkshakes. As you can see, there is something for the adults as well! For anybody, without age limits, they will shake Curly Wurlys, Jaffa Cakes, Humbug Mints, Fig Rolls, bakewell tarts, Bounties, Sugar Puffs and everything (truly everything) you can get in a well-stocked sweet shop.

If you think the toffee popcorn milkshake should have something a little extra you can add ingredients for 30p each. These include maple syrup, marshmallows, mini Oreos, Jelly Tots and, if you're a bodybuilder you can add powdered protein for 50p or wheatgerm. A regular milkshake is £2.70 while a large one is £3.70.

The Last Word
ShakeAway is an amusing experience and their shakes can easily substitute a light lunch. It's fun to concoct your own and what you get is always very good. Even if you're just passing through Bath, you should plan a short visit - you will not forget or regret it!

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