While city centres are great for history, culture and shopping, it’s out-of-town shopping centres which can zip you away from the urban bustle. These destinations offer shops, cafes and restrooms as well as experiences such as indoor golf and cinemas, providing the perfect retreat for retail, refuelling and rest.
Need some new glad rags? A gift for a loved one? Or just fancy some retail therapy for yourself? Britain’s out-of-town shopping centres have it all. For high-street lovers, there’s the usual from John Lewis to Zara, sporty bods will like athletic brands like Adidas to Nike, and luxury lovers will find the likes of Dior and Burberry. Many centres also include places to rest and refuel as well as some source of entertainment, like a cinema or bowling alley, allowing you to make a whole day of your experience.
Become the envy of your friends and bag a designer bargain or two. One of Britain’s leading luxury shopping destinations, Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village is rammed with more than 160 boutiques where you can shop Dior to The North Face, Bottega Veneta to Maje, all without breaking the bank. Immerse yourself in the luxury vibe with its multilingual concierge and personal shopper experience. And with a regular direct trains from London Marylebone, what’s not to love?
Dubbed one of the north-east of England’s favourites, Metrocentre is connected by direct train from Newcastle. This place is huge – in fact one of the largest out-of-town centres in Britain, boasting 300 stores, 60 restaurants, bars and cafes plus masses of entertainment options. You’ll find all the high-street names, international brands and indie boutiques here. There’s decent offerings for food and entertainment too.
Sheffield’s Meadowhall is one of the easiest out-of-town shopping centres to reach. Rammed with more than 260 stores and restaurants to explore, ranging from high street brands to indie boutiques, you’ll get plenty of choice when it comes to shopping and eating. And when you’re done with all that, there’s an 11-screen cinema, a climbing wall, an Air Haus inflatable park and a Funstation, which includes trampolines.
Connected directly to the Chafford Hundred train station by a link bridge, Essex’s Lakeside Shopping Centre is about as easy-to-get to as it gets. Packed with 250 shops and food outlets, you’ll find all your well known brands here. By all means shop – but before you drop, why not try your hand at its on-site entertainment options, from indoor golf to cinemas and even a huge outdoor Aqua Park? Refuel at one of its many restaurants and cafes.
Easy to get to, The Trafford Centre is linked directly by Bee Network trams and buses from Manchester’s city centre. Packed with more than 200 shops, restaurants and attractions, you’ll find all your high-street favourites as well as loads of entertainment from a cinema, a gaming arena, Laser Quest, bowling, an indoor golf course and a treetop adventure – for a full-on day out beyond just shopping.
Bag a few bargains at Scotland’s largest designer outlet. Located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Livingstone Designer Outlet has more than 70 shops, restaurants and cafes. As well as discounted premium names, you can hit a whole host of cut-price athletic brands and high-street treats. Once you’re shopped out, kick back at its cinema or tee off for some indoor adventure golf.
West of Birmingham city centre, Merry Hill is packed with more than 200 brands from the biggest names to unique independents and a whole host of places to eat and drink. Finish the day at the cinema, or wander across to the Waterfront with its collection of eateries, cafes and bars dotted along the historic Dudley canal for the perfect place to unwind.
