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Escape the city for some out-of-town shopping

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.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

People walking between shops, lit up from inside

5 super accessible out-of-town shopping centres

Most large cities have out-of-town shopping centres. Here are some of Britain’s very accessible ones - from Sheffield to Essex, Manchester to Newcastle, all offering just a simple journey to get to by public transport. Shop the day away and dine on a wide array of restaurants, cafés and street food before jumping on the next direct link back to the city centre.  

Britain’s out-of-town shopping centres

From Britain’s largest designer outlet in Cheshire to Scotland’s Braehead Shopping Centre complete with built-in sport and event arena, you’ll find plenty of shopping, entertainment and eating options in these have-it-all offerings where retail therapy becomes a day out.  

Head into a shopping emporium of over 300 stores and 60 places to eat and drink.

Discover the metropolis of Bluewater Shopping Centre

Photo by: ewapageart

Bluewater Shopping Centre
Bluewater Shopping Centre

Britain’s largest designer outlet offers an epic day out with more than 140 boutiques.

Discover more about Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Photo by: cheshireoakdesigneroutlet

Cheshireoaks Designer Outlet
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Explore 130 top high-street brands and a bunch of restaurants and cafés.

Learn more about Cribbs Causeway

Photo by: rafaellahponce/mallcribbs

Cribbs Causeway
Cribbs Causeway

Shop in 85 high street and designer brands plus some specialised stores at discounted prices.

Learn more about The Galleria Outlet

Photo by: galleria_outlet_centre

the galleria shopping centre
The Galleria Outlet

Shop, dine and catch a match or show at this retail and leisure spot with more than 100 brands.

Discover more of Braehead Shopping Centre

Photo by: scot.landbeauty

Braehead Shopping Centre
Braehead Shopping Centre

Fill your boots, bags and every else with 60 per cent off designer price tags.

Learn more about Designer Outlet Bridgend

Photo by: fforchwen

Bridgend Designer Outlet
Bridgend Designer Outlet 

Browse Primark, Sports Direct, New Look and Next – plus Boots for all your health needs.

Check out Broughton Shopping Park

Photo by: Getty Images

Location: Cambridge

Ben’s Yard
Broughton Shopping Park

Want designer clothes at a discount? Head to Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village, one of Britain’s favourite shopping destinations for luxury bargains.

Visit Bicester Village

Photo by: Bicester Village

Bicester Village
Bicester Village

This boutique mall features fashion, outdoors and beauty stores galore – plus dining options to suit every budget.

Plan your trip to Loch Lomond Shores

Photo by: VisitBritain

Location: Loch Lomond

Scotsman with glass of whiskey held behind his back
Loch Lomond Shores

One of Europe’s biggest shopping malls, this retail heaven has over 270 shops under one roof.

Plan your trip to Metrocentre

Photo by: Kevin Gibson Photography

A raised view across Newcastle's Metro Centre with shoppers below
Metrocentre

Love designer fashions at discount prices? Browse Levi’s, Coach, Paul Smith and more.

Shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

Photo by: McArthur Glen York Designer Outlet

People shopping at York Designer Outlet
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

Head into a shopping emporium of over 300 stores and 60 places to eat and drink.

Discover the metropolis of Bluewater Shopping Centre

Photo by: ewapageart

Bluewater Shopping Centre
Bluewater Shopping Centre

Britain’s largest designer outlet offers an epic day out with more than 140 boutiques.

Discover more about Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Photo by: cheshireoakdesigneroutlet

Cheshireoaks Designer Outlet
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Explore 130 top high-street brands and a bunch of restaurants and cafés.

Learn more about Cribbs Causeway

Photo by: rafaellahponce/mallcribbs

Cribbs Causeway
Cribbs Causeway

Shop in 85 high street and designer brands plus some specialised stores at discounted prices.

Learn more about The Galleria Outlet

Photo by: galleria_outlet_centre

the galleria shopping centre
The Galleria Outlet

Shop, dine and catch a match or show at this retail and leisure spot with more than 100 brands.

Discover more of Braehead Shopping Centre

Photo by: scot.landbeauty

Braehead Shopping Centre
Braehead Shopping Centre

Fill your boots, bags and every else with 60 per cent off designer price tags.

Learn more about Designer Outlet Bridgend

Photo by: fforchwen

Bridgend Designer Outlet
Bridgend Designer Outlet 

Browse Primark, Sports Direct, New Look and Next – plus Boots for all your health needs.

Check out Broughton Shopping Park

Photo by: Getty Images

Location: Cambridge

Ben’s Yard
Broughton Shopping Park

Want designer clothes at a discount? Head to Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village, one of Britain’s favourite shopping destinations for luxury bargains.

Visit Bicester Village

Photo by: Bicester Village

Bicester Village
Bicester Village

This boutique mall features fashion, outdoors and beauty stores galore – plus dining options to suit every budget.

Plan your trip to Loch Lomond Shores

Photo by: VisitBritain

Location: Loch Lomond

Scotsman with glass of whiskey held behind his back
Loch Lomond Shores

One of Europe’s biggest shopping malls, this retail heaven has over 270 shops under one roof.

Plan your trip to Metrocentre

Photo by: Kevin Gibson Photography

A raised view across Newcastle's Metro Centre with shoppers below
Metrocentre

Love designer fashions at discount prices? Browse Levi’s, Coach, Paul Smith and more.

Shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

Photo by: McArthur Glen York Designer Outlet

People shopping at York Designer Outlet
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York
Livingstone Designer Outlet

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 cafés. 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. 

Merry Hill

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, cafés and bars dotted along the historic Dudley canal for the perfect place to unwind. 

Explore other shopping locations in Britain

Save room in your suitcase for a trip to some of Britain's brilliant boutiques.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Three women, wearing scarves, walking with shopping bags

Iconic department stores, shopping centres and an eclectic mix of high streets all make Britain’s shopping great.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Location: London, England

A man posing for the camera in front of a 'Welcome to Carnaby Street' sign in London.

Get a taste for luxury shopping with iconic shops and unique British brands.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Rama Knight

Woman exiting building carrying shopping bags

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