Top 10 Shopping Destinations in the UK

Top 10 Shopping Destinations in the UK

The UK is one of the major economic centers of this planet. One of the most developed countries of the world, the UK attracts millions of visitors every year. This place is a hub for corporate, students, artists, travelers, scholars and other people.

The UK is a great place no doubt but in this post, we are going to know about the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK. You won’t believe but some of the biggest shopping centers in Europe are situated in the UK.

With this post, you are going to know about some famous shopping destinations, biggest shopping malls, and popular shopping streets. The UK is a home to some of the world’s most popular clothing, electronics, cosmetics, automobile, and footwear brands.

Let’s stop babbling and have a look at this interesting list of top 10 shopping destinations in the UK.

1.Intu Metrocentre, Gateshed

This place is formally known as Metrocentre and it is located in Gateshed near the river Tyne. It is the largest shopping centre in the UK occupying a retail area almost 190,000m2. The Metrocentre was opened in 1986 and after so many years of establishment it is still the largest indoor shopping mall in the UK

The Metrocentre houses more than 340 retailers. Many worlds’ leading retailers including New Look, River Island, Next, House of Eraser and Debenhams have their branches in the Metrocentre mall.

The Metrocentre is a perfect place to spend quality time with your loved ones. This huge mall consists of a Qube where you will find branches of PizzaExpress and YO Sushi. The Metrocentre has an IMAX digital Odeon cinema and the Namco fun-space. The Namco fun-space is a family entertainment centre consists a bowling alley.

2. Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester

Trafford is the second largest shopping centre in the UK. This place is almost five miles west from Manchester city centre and at near Trafford industrial estate.

This UK’s second largest shopping centre was opened in 1998 and was developed by the Peel Group. This shopping destination measures more than 180,000m2 and house to 280 stores. Trafford shopping centre has a market value of 2.312 Billion pounds as of 2017.

Shopping at Trafford centre can be interesting and affordable at the same time. As for example if you are not from the European Union then you can claim back the added tax on most of the items you have shopped.

Trafford centre houses some of the most popular shops including John Lewis, Debenhams, Game, Zara, Selfridges & Co, Samsung etc.

3. Westgate Mall, London

Westgate mall is situated in White City, London. This shopping centre was developed by the Westfield group and was opened in October 2008.

This monster shopping centre is a home to more than 400 high-end stores. Some of the worlds most famous brands including All Saints, Boots, Apple, Bershka, Bose, Debenhams, Dwell, HMV, House of Eraser, Hollister Co, Marks and Spencer, Zara, Waitrose, River Island etc have their branches in this large shopping centre.

The Westgate shopping mall has more attractions except for popular stores such as 50+ restaurants, 14 screen cinema and luxury spa too. This can be the best place to spend some quality time or even a full day with your whole family.

4.Oxford Street

Oxford Street was an important route in the past Roman age and now it is a major road in the West London. The Oxford Street is situated between Tottenham Court to Marble Arc.

An interesting fact about this place is that it is the busiest shopping street in Europe. Another interesting fact about this street is that it welcomes more than half billion visitors each day, it’s really OMG.

You can explore this street and can do shopping from both high-end departmental stores to cheap high-street shops. This street places many branded stores such as Selfridges, Zara, Uniqlo, Topshop, H&M, Nike Town, John Lewis, River Island and many more.

5.Covent Garden, Greater London

This place was a large fruit and vegetable market in the ancient time and now it a one of the most popular tourist and shopping destinations of the UK. This area also has many other nice places to visit such as Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, theaters, London Transport Museum, Drury Lane etc.

If you ever travel to London you should visit this place. You can do shopping, travel to some historical places and of course enjoy food at the top restaurants.

I have listed 3 must to visit places of Convent Garden and this list will help you to explore this area:

• Somerset House – It’s an art centre featured with 55 dancing fountains. Open air concerts, art, and design exhibitions are held here throughout the year.
• St Martin’s Courtyard – St Martin’s Courtyard features five restaurants, boutiques, spa, international brands, open-air courtyard and more.
• Seven Dials – Here you can explore some traditional English pubs, vintage brands, restaurants, and boutiques.

6.Bullring, Birmingham

Bullring is a major commercial hub of central Birmingham. This place is playing an important role in Birmingham economy since middle ages.

Bullring is home to more than 160 stores to explore. The newest Bullring building was opened in 2003 and it has really transformed the shopping of Birmingham. This is a must visit a place of Birmingham and one of the most popular shopping destinations of the UK.

In Bullring you can shop stuff of more than 200 brands. This place is also featured with 40+ restaurants to relax.

7.Savile Row

Savile Row is especially known for its traditional men’s bespoke tailoring. Savile Row had a nice list of great customers including Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill, Napolean III, Prince Charles, Judy Law etc.

Here I have made a small list of top 5 stores in the Savile Row:

• Gieves and Hawkes – This shop was established almost 200 years ago and the ready-to-wear clothes were first introduced at Savile Row by this company.
• Alexander McQueen – Alexander McQueen is a place of extraordinary craftsmanship and you can get best-tailored outfits at this store.
• Henry Pool and Co – Henry Pool and Co is one of the first tailoring shops of the Savile Row and considered as the founding tailors of the Savile Row.
• Kilgour – Kilgour was founded in 1880 and had served some great personalities including Fred Astaire and Cary Grant.
• Dege and Skinner – Dege and Skinner are one of the few shops in the Savile Row having expertise in military uniforms.

8.Jermyn and Regent Street

Jermyn Street – Jermyn Street was created by Henry Jermyn and named after him too around 1665. Same as Savile Row, Jermyn Street is also famous for its best class tailoring stores.

Jermyn Street shops sell shirts and have stores of many famous shirtmakers including Hawes & Curtis, Tumbull & Asser, Thomas Pink, Charles Tyrwhitt, etc. This street also sells other men’s apparel such as shoes, hats, shaving brushes, braces, collar stiffeners, shaving brushes and other stuff.

Regent Street – Regent Street is famous for its ready to wear outfits and houses some of the recognizable brands such as Liberty, Hamleys, and The Apple Store

9.Liverpool One

Liverpool One is a shopping, leisure and residential complex in Liverpool, the UK. Liverpool One is the place to 170+ shops and some of the famous bars and restaurants including Bem Brasil, Jamie’s Italian and Las Iguanas.

Liverpool One is a place for some famous retailers such as John Lewis and Debenhams. This shopping centre has an addition of leisure attractions too. It is featured with a golf centre, 14 screen Odeon Cinema, huge open space.

10.Bluewater, Kent

Bluewater shopping centre is situated out of town near Stone, Kent, the UK. This fourth largest shopping destination of the UK was opened in March 1999.

Its incredible 154,000m2 sales floor area provides space for 330 stores. Additionally, it is featured with 40 restaurants and cafes, 3 anchors and one 17 screen cinema. The Bluewater shopping area employs more than 7,000 people and also serves 27+ Million visitors annually.

Final Note:

Online shopping is being very popular these days but shopping via departmental stores has its own fun. Whenever you visit the UK, you must make an effort to explore the top UK shopping destinations.