Shopping isn’t just a hobby, it has become our necessity. Some people shop from small retailers and some like to do shopping from huge shopping malls. You can also buy things online through various online shopping websites these days and these websites are getting very popular including Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Target, BestBuy, etc.
Some people prefer to shop from physical shopping centers or malls rather than going online. Today we are going to discuss about the top 10 places to shop in the UK. I have listed few of the best shopping destinations in the UK and hope that it will be helpful for you in finding the best places to shop in the United Kingdom.
1. Bluewater, Kent, England
Bluewater was a mining site before it came to existence on 16 March 1999. It is among Europe’s biggest shopping destinations along with Vienna’s Shopping City and Istanbul’s Cevahir Mall.
With the parking area, this huge shopping center spans an area of more than 240 acres. This place is environment-friendly and is surrounded by lakes and greenery. With more than 330 stores, this place is the perfect place for shopping lovers to hangout.
- Location – Greenhithe, Kent
- Launched – 16th March 1999
- Area (with parking) – 240 acres
- Number of Stores – 330 including restaurants and cinema hall
- Number of Floors – 2 (3 in some parts of the building)
- Numbers of Visitors – about 27 million/year
2. Westfield London, White City, London
Westfield London is not only the largest shopping center in the UK; it is the largest in Europe too. This shopping center is situated in White City, West London. This building has 5 floors and elegantly designed both internally and externally.
Westfield London is home to 450+ shops and here you can shop almost everything you want. No matter whatever stuff you want to shop including clothing, electronics, stationery, jewelry or entertainment, Westfield London could be the perfect destination to do so.
- Location – White City, London
- Launched – 30th October 2008
- Area (Retail Area) – 242,000 m2
- Number of Stores – 450
- Number of Floors – 5
3. Westfield Stratford, London
This is another Westfield shopping center located at the eastern side of the city. When it comes to the size of this shopping centre, it holds the fourth rank in the list of UK’s largest shopping centers.
This shopping center is not only heaven for the shoppers; it is also a popular place for the foodies to explore. One of its floors is completely dedicated to eateries and houses more than 70 restaurants and cafes. Westfield Stratford is also home to a 24-hour casino, 17 screens digital cinema, hotel, and Staybridge Suites.
- Location – Stratford, Greater London
- Launched – 13th September 2011
- Area (Retail Area) – 175,000m2
- Number of Stores – 350
- Number of Floors – 3
4. Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester
Trafford Centre comes in the third position among England’s largest shopping centers. This shopping center has a lavish, unconventional and unique architecture which makes it completely different from other shopping destinations and provide a completely different shopping experience.
Trafford Centre houses 280 shops and consists of multiple large departmental stores including John Lewis, Debenhams, and Selfridges. This shopping destination also offers the Orient food court, a busy cinema, miniature golf court, and Namco funscape offering arcade and bowling games.
- Location – Greater Manchester
- Launched – 10th September 1998
- Area (Retail Area) – 207,000 m2 including leisure and dining
- Number of Stores – 280
- Number of Floors – 3
5. Liverpool One, Liverpool
Liverpool also has a world-class shopping center and is situated just a few miles away from the Mersey River. The Liverpool Cathedral and Chinatown are also located near Liverpool One.
The whole shopping center is divided into six districts and each one district is different from others. The six districts are as follows: Hanover Street, Peter’s Lane, New Manestry’s Lane, Paradise Street, South John Street, The Park and Point of Arrival. Liverpool One also has an ODEON cinema, adventure Golf, and two large hotels.
- Location – Liverpool
- Launched – 29th May 2008
- Area (Retail Area) – 234,000 m2
- Number of Stores – 170
6. Meadowhall, Sheffield
If you are from Yorkshire then it does not mean you need to travel to London for shopping. Yorkshire has its own large shopping center named Meadowhall located in Sheffield.
Meadowhall is the largest shopping center in Yorkshire and may become the fourth largest after its extension is completed in 2020. There is a food court named Oasis Dining on both the floors. The ground floor has fast food outlets including McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Barburrito, etc.
The other floor consists mainly of restaurants and bars such as Tapas revolution, Coal Grill & Bar, Wagamama, Zizzi and many more. The Oasis Dining also has an eleven screen multiplex cinema.
- Location – Sheffield, South Yorkshire
- Launched – 4th September 1990
- Area (Retail Area) – 139,355 m2
- Number of Stores – 280
- Number of Floors – 2
7. St David’s, Cardiff
St David’s shopping center is situated at Cardiff, Wales. It is the largest shopping destination of Wales housing more than 200 shops and services. An extension named St David’s 2 was also built in 2009. The 2nd phase consist of three different sections and they are St David’s Walk, St David’s Way and Grand Arcade.
- Location – Cardiff, Wales
- Launched – 24th March 1982 (1st phase), 22nd October 2009 (2nd phase)
- Area (Retail Area) – 129,561 m2
- Number of Stores – 203
- Number of Floors – 9
8. Eldon Square, Newcastle
Eldon Square is one of the oldest shopping destinations of the UK and was built by demolishing Old Eldon Square. The Old Eldon Square was a historic site dated back to 1824 and thus the construction was also criticized by the people too.
The Eldon Square was opened in 1977 and Queen Elizabeth was also there during the opening ceremony. At that time, this place was the largest shopping center in the country. There are several redevelopments have been carried throughout the years making it one of the best place for shopping and spending quality time.
- Location – Newcastle
- Launched – 1977
- Area (Retail Area) – 130,100 m2
- Number of Stores – 150
- Number of Floors – 2
9. Bullring Estate, Birmingham
One of my favorite shopping centers, Bullring is famous for its unique architecture. This place is surrounded by many historic sites such as St Martin Church. This place also has few modern monuments nearby including National Sea Life Centre and Birmingham Science Museum.
Bullring Estate is made with two main buildings known as the East and West mall respectively. Housing more than 200 shops, Bullring Estate is many unique artworks including “the Bull”. If you are getting bored with the shopping, you can visit the coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars to refresh yourself.
- Location – Birmingham
- Launched – 4th September 2003
- Area (Retail Area) – 147,300 m2
- Number of Stores – 140
- Number of Floors – 4
10. Arndale Centre, Manchester
Arndale is also one of the oldest shopping centers of the UK built around the 70s. You won’t believe but this place attracts more than 41 million visitors each year. The Arndale Centre was very badly damaged during the 1996 city center bombing.
This place was redeveloped after this incident and become one of the largest shopping malls in the UK. The Arndale Centre also contains a food court having space of 800 seats at a time.
- Location – Manchester
- Launched – 1975
- Area (Retail Area) – 120,000 m2
- Number of Stores – 210
- Number of Floors – 3
Bottom Line:
Shopping in this English country has been easier due to some world-class shopping malls and centers. These places generate a billion Euros revenue and also provide job to thousand of inhabitants.
No matter if you are a British citizen or a foreigner planning to travel to the UK, you must visit one of the top places to shop in the UK and I have listed a few of them here.
This post has been submitted on WANDER BIRD by Suraj Kumar – a full-time blogger and social media expert in India. Currently, he is working in the growth hacking team of MyUKMailBox.
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